Unveiling the Innovators of the Future: Meet the 6 finalists from the Startup Category of the Santander X UK Awards 2023
In the realm of innovation, it's heartening to witness a growing trend where entrepreneurs and businesses are not solely driven by profit but are also committed to making a positive impact on society. The finalists in the Santander X UK Awards exemplify this commitment to social good, infusing their ground breaking ideas with a sense of responsibility toward the well-being of people and the planet.
Over the last 13 years we’ve provided more than ￡900,000 in equity-free funding to startups and small businesses, however, until this year, that was almost exclusively for university linked-businesses. This year we expanded our competition, to include a category for emerging businesses looking to scale, not just university entrepreneurs. In our final blog, we’re showcasing the finalists from our Startup category.
Snowball Community Ltd | Simon Sansome
Snowball is the ultimate disability app. Think TripAdvisor for the disabled community, you can add places, leave reviews and say if you will go back. Because the app is supported by Google Maps, anywhere in the world can be added and we have thousands of reviews.
Snowball Community Ltd founder Simon Sansome has said this of his experience: “It’s been a tough process. When I entered, I didn’t realise the scope and the size of the awards. It’s a fantastic opportunity for my company to meet the right people and to move the company forward.” For more information on Snowball Community visit their website: https://www.facebook.com/FreezeSnowball
ACT Medical are looking to change the healthcare industry by developing a first-in-class bleeding management system, that is inserted into a wound and applies direct-internal-pressure to stop bleeding. Their International Medical James Dyson award winning innovation could save 300 lives/year, in the UK alone, providing ￡956M in monetary savings.
Joseph Bentley, founder of ACT Medical reflects on how winning could help his business: “I feel immensely privileged to be representing ACT Medical in the Santander X UK final. Winning the competition would be a huge support to the business, increasing exposure and confidence in our life-saving solution.” Learn more about ACT medical here: https://www.actmedical.co.uk
SCALED is a nature-inspired, material innovation offering flexible body armour used for maximized injury prevention, rehabilitation and sports performance enhancement through regulated motion control in human joints. SCALED’s product sits at the nexus of four important design trends: additive manufacturing, parametric design and mass customization, and biomimicry. It integrates cutting edge technologies and utilizes the power of parametric design in the creation of its algorithm.
Natalie Kerres, founder of SCALED, had this to say about being one of the 6 finalists: “I feel humbled to be in Santander X 2023 final amongst truly inspiring change-makers. Winning would amplify our impact in inclusive design and propel our business to new heights.” More information on SCALED can be found here: https://www.scaled-tech.com/
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Reading biological data from the skin is necessary for diagnostics and development of skin treatments. Currently, this is only possible with skin biopsy to extract omics data. Mitra Bio has developed a proprietary non-invasive way to extract epigenetics data (DNA methylation) by using adhesive tapes from the skin.
Mitra Bio founder, Shakiba Kaveh, says that winning the X awards would kickstart the next phase of her business’ development: “Reaching the final is a testament to our team's hard work and dedication. Winning would be a validation of our vision and a springboard for our business to reach new heights.” Learn more about Mitra Bio here: https://www.mitrabio.tech/
Today, the proportion of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) for plants, i.e. red light, is increased via artificial lighting - but electricity is costly. Lambda’s diffusive, red emitting spray paint for greenhouse sidings (panels) requires no electricity and can increase crop yields by circa 9%.
Lambda Agri founder, Monica Saavedra, has said just making the final has increased her confidence in her business idea: “Winning, much like getting into the final, will mean external validation that our work is worthwhile, and a higher chance of impact. In other words, traction.” More information can be found on their website: https://www.Lambda.energy
We’re struggling to tackle air pollution globally because we’re unable to make data-backed decisions where we can quantify the effectiveness of policies and justify them to the public. Persium have created, for the first time ever, the World’s Most Powerful Digital Twin Platform for tackling air pollution.
Founder Alex Yousefian commented: “For Persium to be a part of the Santander X UK Awards final is a huge honour. It's a validation of our vision to tackle air pollution globally and an acknowledgment of the hard work our team has put into developing innovative solutions. Winning would not only provide the financial boost Persium needs but also open doors to valuable networks, mentorship, and resources.” Learn more about Persium here: https://persium.co.uk/
In many instances the Santander X UK Awards isn't just a showcase of entrepreneurial prowess; it's a celebration of social responsibility. These six finalists are not only innovators but also champions of social good, embodying the idea that business success and positive societal impact can go hand in hand. As we eagerly await the final pitches, it's clear that the future of innovation is not just bright; it's socially conscious and committed to making the world a better place for all.
To watch all the finalists, from both categories, pitch to a high-profile panel of judges including UK rapper and investor Tinie Tempah, former Dragons Den contestant and entrepreneur Sam Jones and former Olympic Gold Champion and entrepreneur Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill , be sure to sign up and watch our National Final live stream: Sign Up Here