The high profile list for 2020 - announced in the States yesterday - aims to showcase the products that are making the world 'better, smarter, and even a little more fun'. 100 inventions have been included, with the 25 categories ranging from Artificial Intelligence to Social Good.

Virti earnt the accolade thanks to their mixed-reality training solution, which has helped hospitals, universities, schools and corporates weather the coronavirus pandemic. Underpinned by sophisticated virtual and augmented reality technology, the Virti platform facilitates remote learning that’s highly scalable and universally effective.

Virti’s solution is currently being deployed globally to help carry out vital training, including preparing medics in the States to perform complex surgeries, and tackling doctor shortages in Northern Ethiopia.

At the peak of the COVID pandemic, Virti launched special modules to deliver essential skills training to doctors around the world - including how to ventilate a patient, safely use PPE and navigate an intensive care ward.

The startup’s UK customers include the NHS, University of Cambridge, University of Bristol and Transport for London. They have recently embarked on major international partnerships with Cedars-Sinai and Molnlycke.

Virti are included in the Virtual and Augmented Reality category on TIME’s list, which was built through a combination of nominations from TIME’s editors and team of global correspondents, and an online application process. Nominees were evaluated on factors including originality, effectiveness, ambition and impact. The final list features a diverse array of innovations - from 3D-printed lights to robot tutors - all set to change the way we live and the way our world works. 

Virti Founder and CEO, Dr Alex Young, commented: “Being featured on the TIME Best Inventions list is a brilliant way to end a momentous year at Virti.

“It’s inspiring to know that the judging committee believes in our mission to make high quality immersive training accessible to all.

“We’re honoured to have been featured alongside so many other incredible inventions, and the whole team is delighted to have received this international recognition. It gives us a brilliant platform from which to continue to transform the way we learn for the better.

“2020 has been a year filled with challenges, changes and opportunities, and at Virti we believe that now is the moment that innovators need to work together to create a better future for everyone.”