Here’s your weekly roundup of news about startup competitions, awards, accelerators, and any other exciting developments in the UK tech sector.
Nesta shortlist
Nesta has announced the 20 organisations to take part in its Open Up Challenge – a £5m prize fund to inspire the creation of next-generation services, apps and tools for UK SMEs.
Each of the teams, selected by an independent judging panel, will receive a £50,000 grant, fully funded technical and business support and exclusive access to the Open Up Data Sandbox.
They will also be within a chance of winning a share of £3.5m if they are successful during the competition.
Chris Gorst, challenge prize lead at Nesta, commented: “We have been overwhelmed by the volume and quality of entrants for the Open Up Challenge. It’s encouraging to see how much energy and talent is focussed on FinTech innovations for small businesses. We now have twenty teams who we firmly believe can build next generation services that will transform small business banking. By supporting these teams with financial rewards, expert support and access to the Open Up Data Sandbox, we hope to play a part in revolutionising a sector that has been slow to exploit new technology and respond to customer needs.”
“We now have twenty teams who we firmly believe can build next generation services that will transform small business banking. By supporting these teams with financial rewards, expert support and access to the Open Up Data Sandbox, we hope to play a part in revolutionising a sector that has been slow to exploit new technology and respond to customer needs.”
The participants are: Beyond Labs, Bizfitech, Bud Financial, CoconutBanking, Credit Data Research Ltd, DueDil, Capitalise.com, Fractal Labs, Fluidly, Funding Options, Funding Xchange, Growth Street, Investly, Iwoca Limited, Ormsby Street, Runpath, Solo – Smarter Freelancing, Teller, Tide and Xelix.
2017 SteliosAward for disabled entrepreneurs
Now in its eleventh year, the 2017 SteliosAward for disabled entrepreneurs in the UK is looking for applications.
The application criteria is as follows:
- The award is open to candidates operating in the UK only
- The award is open to registered and not-yet-registered companies, charities and social enterprises
- A disabled entrepreneur must own at least 50% of the company
- The company must be at most seven years old
- The candidate must have an active online presence
Jointly run by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and the Leonard Cheshire Disability, the awards recognise the achievements of disabled entrepreneurs who have set up their own company and excel in their chosen business field.
Sir Stelios said: “Last year we got over 60 applications from disabled entrepreneurs dedicated to starting and running successful businesses – serving all sections of the community.
“This time not only are we looking to get this number well up on 2016 but also we want to see some great new ideas that take the business world by storm and show that disability is certainly no barrier to a successful future.
The winners will be presented with the award at a cocktail reception in London on November 14th 2017.
UK dating app JigTalk accepted on to NASDAQ programme
Blind dating app JigTalk has been accepted onto NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Centre’s startup programme.
Alex Durrant, the CEO and co-founder, will join the cohort of 12 entrepreneurs in San Francisco for the 12-week initiative ran by NASDAQ.
Selected entrepreneurs will receive free business mentoring from industry leaders, personal coaching, training and resources, valued at approximately $250,000.
Commenting on the news, Durrant said: “I am very excited to represent the UK within the home of tech. Building JigTalk has been a challenging experience, but witnessing the response makes it all worth it.
“I’m looking to continuously build connections with the other entrepreneurs and mentors in San Francisco and raise the profile of UK tech outside of London,” he concluded.
SleepCogni gets Innovate UK grant
In other news, SleepCogni, being developed to help clinicians and healthcare professionals treat people suffering from sleeping issues, has received a grant from Innovate UK.
The investment comes after the company raised £485,000 in a round led by Mercia Fund Management and brings the firm’s total to seven figures.
According to a statement, the new funding will enable the company to advance their research and development.
That’s all for this week … See you next Friday!