This year’s competition had a focus on tech startups that will transform how businesses operate, and founders who are on a mission to improve the world we live in.

Robert Brown, Competition Director, commented: “These nine selected finalists have captured the attention of our shortlisting panel with a combination of their innovative technologies, potential for growth, and their desire to give something back to society.”

Meet the finalists

Arachne

Arachne is an open-source platform that leverages machine learning and human expertise to map cyber threats. Its platform assists analysts by automatically mapping tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) in reports to the MITRE ATT&CK framework. This process aids in threat modelling, targeting security controls, and adversary emulation.

This helps organisations understand, prioritise, and respond to cyber threats with precision. With a commitment to transparency, open standards, and community-driven development, it empowers clients to stay ahead of evolving cyber risks.

Danu Robotics

Danu Robotics has developed an AI guided robotic waste management system, capable of being retrofitted into existing facilities, which aims to combat the problem of recycling facilities being reliant on slow manual sorting.

Its AI-guided multi-picker offers a robotic sorting system that operates like an octopus, eight pickers can pick out eight different things, and is able to fully automate the entire waste sorting process.

Diptera.ai

Diptera is a biotech startup specialising in eco-friendly mosquito control solutions. The company uses the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which involves releasing sterile male mosquitoes to mate with wild females, leading to a significant reduction in mosquito populations.

Diptera.ai has developed proprietary technology that combines optics, computer vision, and automation to make SIT accessible for municipal and commercial applications. This approach addresses the growing issue of mosquito-borne diseases, as traditional control methods lose effectiveness due to increasing pesticide resistance.

Gotcha Technology

Gotcha specialises in computer vision-based technology to detect hidden (micro) emotions through the analysis of human facial behaviour. Its solutions are grounded in behavioural science research.

The technology helps businesses enhance customer satisfaction and detect fraud utilising real-time analysis of facial behaviour, speech recognition, and gestures, without storing biometric data, and detecting 13 distinct emotions, including advanced deception cues.

Jade Autism

Jade Autism aims to empower neurodivergent children through its gamified platform. The software was developed to support children and adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and enabling schools and teachers to offer an individualised approach to each student.

The platform leverages artificial intelligence and data-driven insights to support early autism detection and personalised educational strategies.

NetraScale

NetraScale is a cybersecurity and risk management startup. Its AI-powered solutions have been designed to help small businesses combat advanced cyber threats and fraudulent activities. NetraScale aims to contribute to economic stability and foster innovation, helping to build a more resilient digital ecosystem where businesses of all sizes can thrive.

NetraScale's mission is to redefine cybersecurity by fusing world-class expertise from institutions such as MIT and Oxford with AI-driven automation. Their adaptive frameworks are designed to predict, prevent, and neutralise cyber threats before they impact businesses.

Otermans Institute (OIAI)

Otermans Institute’s OIAI are AI teachers designed to provide personalised learning experiences, addressing the global shortage of teachers and enhancing accessibility to quality education.

These AI teachers are capable of teaching anything, both for Corporate Learning and Development (C&L) and Higher Education. They make digital learning a two-way conversation, and connect to an enterprise dashboard for module creation and deep learner analytics.

SourceEazy

SourceEazy has developed a factory direct operating system for branded merchandise. Its system aims to revolutionise the $110 billion legacy promotional and uniform product industry's supply chain by simplifying design, sourcing, production, and distribution through automated technology. This eliminates intermediaries, improving transparency and efficiency of the process. By working directly with verified factories, distributors using SourceEazy can simplify operations, as well as ensuring ethical and sustainable sourcing.

Vestir

Vestir Technologies is developing an AI-powered virtual fitting room, where shoppers are able to see clothes on a true likeness of themselves in 3D video form. As the avatar moves, the fabric and clothing moves with it. Consumers are able to see their own body, face, and skin tone with their own natural moment.

It’s not just the question of whether something is the ‘right fit’, but whether the item of clothing is right for that particular customer. Vestir is recreating the in-store fitting room online, changing online shopping forever.

And the winner is…

Each of the startups that made it to the final of the Future of Capitalism Competition 2025 was worthy of winning, and highlighted some truly innovative solutions that will revolutionise the sectors they are working in. However, the judges had a decision to make. So who went home with a share of the $1 million?

A huge congratulations to the winners: Diptera.ai, Jade Autism, and Danu Robotics.

And congratulations to all who took part.

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