Startups
The vision for TestMe was initially born out of a frustration with the state of play in the education sector. We’re living at a time where we are constantly overwhelmed by new knowledge – we receive news alerts on our cell phones instantaneously, and we can source boundless information using search engines. This begs the question: how do we process all of this information? Generally, the sector has struggled to keep pace with these new developments. I believe that the way we share and consolidate knowledge should reflect the needs of the modern world.
The second edition of the global FoodTech Challenge, that seeks to find the next wave of technology innovations on the cusp of transforming traditional agriculture practices, efficiently and sustainably, was launched at the EXPO2020 Dubai, and 4th of April 2022, unveils the competition’s pooled prize amount of $2m.
Aerospace Xelerated is a three-month, funded accelerator for software startups capable of moving the aerospace industry forward. It is interested in innovative startups within the assured autonomy, autonomous navigation, generative design, smart maintenance, adaptive learning and reduced workload areas. The programme is open to startups around the world.
Disruptive blockchain technology company StrikeX has hit a major milestone with the celebration of its first anniversary. Started in the depths of the UK’s third Covid-19 lockdown in March 2021 by co-founders Joe Jowett, CEO, and Kishan Vadgama, CCO, StrikeX was born with a vision to democratise the investment industry and empower retail investors.
American startup company WattEV has placed an order for 50 Volvo VNR Electric trucks. Over the next several months, the trucks will be deployed in WattEV’s Truck-as-a-Service model (TaaS). TaaS provides shippers and carriers access to Class 8 battery-electric trucks at a per-mile rate, including charging, that is on par with the total cost of operating diesel trucks.
Endometriosis affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide, and costs the economy £8.2bn each year in treatment, healthcare costs and loss of work. Every March #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth aims to increase awareness and highlight the symptoms of the debilitating condition. Despite affecting 1 in 10 women, and people with menstrual cycles, the average diagnosis can take up to seven and a half years, highlighting the importance of raising awareness of the symptoms.
Lifesaver Power, the cleantech startup on a mission to provide fairer and cleaner products to individuals and businesses, has relaunched its Lifeline to the Frontline campaign to supply power banks to Ukrainian refugees. This comes as the situation in Ukraine continues to worsen, with two million people now reported to have fled the country and no end to their plight in sight.
It’s been a big year for the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) space in the UK. Research indicates that almost 15 million adults now use this payment option, which is up more than two million since the start of 2021. Homegrown players are beginning to join the sector, including PollenPay, a new BNPL company from Manchester. We recently caught up with the company’s CEO, Leon Wilson to discuss how he’s getting on.











