Soft skills don’t come naturally to everyone, so companies like Bodyswaps are using AI, VR, and behavioral science to develop immersive modules for soft skills training. Through unscripted intervention that places users in realistic workplace situations, Bodyswaps’ platform helps to improve soft skills such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and leadership to complement workforce training programs. LondonTechWatch caught up with Cofounder and COO Julien Denoel to learn more about the unique benefits of using VR for workforce training, the company’s experience raising in the middle of the pandemic, and recent funding round, which brings the company’s total funding raised to £795K.
Business
Brezaa Makes Online Dating Less Awkward with Icebreakers
Online dating can be awkward, and it can be a struggle to keep the conversation naturally flowing. Brezaa is the dating app focused on keeping the conversation going through its fun icebreakers designed to spark engagement. Brezaa’s matching algorithm shows you people who share common interests, making it even easier to start a conversation. LondonTechWatch spoke […]
Programmai Raises £850K to be the Crystal Ball That Marketers Have Been Dreaming Off
Programmai’s predictive marketing software uses customer data to accurately predict customer spending for both the short and long term. Applying machine learning, marketers can use predictive values from Programmani to develop marketing programs and hone acquisition costs, no longer taking stabs in the dark but instead basing these decisions on justifiable data and forecasts. London TechWatch caught up with CEO Dean Murr to find out how his previous experience at Asos led him to create Programmai, the company’s experience raising during the pandemic, and recent funding round.
Metalchemy Makes Manufacturing Nanomaterials Accessible, Inexpensive, and Greener
Metalchemy Limited manufactures nanomaterials in a sustainable and inexpensive process that’s cutting edge and greener than alternatives. London TechWatch caught up with CEO and Cofounder Federico Trotta to learn more about nanomaterials and Metalchemy’s future roadmap, which includes awaiting approval for its patent and commercializing its nano-products over the next two years.
Where We Are Investing Now: Market-Based Education
Education is part of health and happiness as a means of intellectual and financial empowerment and as a vector for delight. Happiness can be enhanced by the acquisition of new skills. Where education was once the province only of formal institutions and largely as part of long-term pedagogical programs, today education is becoming a pure consumer product. It is available by the course, by the class, or by the experience, whenever and wherever desired. Professional grade skills, and the certifications that come with them, can be obtained in the precise measures required by the market, and often at no immediate cost to the student.
Sumsub Raises $6M to Provide a Robust Single Solution for Identity Verification
Sumsub’s AI-based identity verification software automates 95% of the customer onboarding process and is trusted by AML/KYC (Anti-Money Laundering/ Know Your Customer) service providers to provide a range of compliant- solutions. Sumsub has already been used by 600+ businesses with no plans to slow down as the identity verification market is expected to grow to €20B by 2022 with a variety of use cases that is ever-increasing as the pandemic drives digital transformation. London TechWatch caught up with Founder Jacob Sever to learn more about Sumsub, the technology infrastructure powering the platform, the company’s latest funding round led by MetaQuotes,and much, much more…
Where We Are Investing Now: Longevity and Aging Economy
Longevity and Aging Economy will be one of the core investment areas for Social Starts for the remainder of 2020. Longevity ties strongly into Health and Happiness: “Healthspan”—the number of years a person can expect to live with full health and no activity limitations—is an emerging concept in this area and should stand at the […]
HumanForest Raises £1.8M for its Free Shared E-Bike System for London
HumanForest is the first free shared electric bike system. The first twenty minutes are free, supported by the rider viewing ads on the HumanForest app and each additional minute is only 12 pence. London TechWatch caught up with Head of Growth and Cofounder Caroline Seton to learn more about how shared mobility is improving life in London, the company’s plan to deploy 2K e-bikes this year, and the company’s recent funding round from investors that include Juan de Antonio, Vicente Pascual, and Stefan Tilks.
Where We Are Investing Now: Health Tech
Because of the inextricable tie between health and happiness, there exists an equally strong connection between happiness and health. Now, powerful new science is opening whole new categories of products capable of contributing to happiness. Therefore, we see Health Tech as a central investment focus area.
Where We Are Investing Now: Health and Happiness Digitally-Native Vertical Brands
We believe that successful digital brands have these characteristics…