Recap: BGV Spring 2021 Showcase

Earlier this year, we received a record number of applications for our Spring 2021 programme - you may have heard us mention it once or twice. Of those 300+ applications, 11 ventures emerged for their potential to build a successful tech venture to drive meaningful positive impact - from supporting carers, to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles, to financial inclusion.

This was the third remote programme BGV has offered since the pandemic. As a result of this new set up, we were able to invest in founders who otherwise would not have been able to make it to London. This year founders based in Ghana, the U.S and throughout the U.K, were all able to attend, learn and grow from our programme.

‍

‍

Throwback to the start of the Spring 2021 programme.

These 12-weeks of diligent work came together in the BGV S21 Showcase, where the founders presented their businesses, the progress they’d made and where they’re headed next. If you missed the event, but want to hear more about how each team is using tech for good to drive positive outcomes for people and planet, you can find out more about them and watch their pitches below:

‍Better Society:

‍1 Brave Friend: Building the next generation social growth platform that helps people learn about other cultures, communities and identities with their friends.Tendelo:Simplifying bookkeeping through speech technology for small businesses in Africa. Watch their pitch

‍The Science Writing RevolutionA movement led by academics to revolutionise scientific writing. Their web-platform TooWrite helps researchers write papers while protecting their mental health and lowering diversity barriers.

‍Healthy Lives:

‍Neumind: An app to improve long-term quality of life and independence of people living with neurological conditions or injuries by supporting individuals and their caregivers.Watch their pitch

‍PreActiv:Empowering patients to prepare for their medical treatment through easy-to-follow, personalised prehabilitation programmes. Created by doctors and sent straight to the home. Watch their pitch

‍Skinlync: A platform providing people with the tools needed to master the self-management of skin conditions, while connecting users to a community with a wide range of knowledge and experience.Watch their pitch

‍Sustainable Planet:

‍Coyosy:Creating an ethical and sustainable alternative for consumer electronics with Speaphones - a pair of modular speakers and headphones in one product.Watch their pitch

‍Voltshare: Accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles through the ultimate community-driven EV charging networkWatch their pitchEcoSpot:A digital community platform inspiring children to shape a greener future - at school and at home.Watch their pitch

‍Workertech:

‍We invested in two companies as part of our ongoing WorkerTech partnership with the Resolution Foundation (RF). Shaping a fairer future of work for all.

‍Curo Carers:Support for employees with caring responsibilities. Curo is a platform for unpaid carers to connect with each other and meet experts, share resources, tips and support each other to better juggle work and caring for a loved one.Watch their pitch

‍TaskHer:An online platform which empowers its users to find, book and pay experienced tradeswomen, whilst addressing the gender imbalance in the trades industry. Watch their pitch