COVID-19 has radically transformed the university experience with the shift to remote classes. Many college students have decided to postpone their undergraduate studies; many of them will never enroll. Others are on contemplating whether to drop out or not. This not only presents a challenge for the colleges but also for society in general as those with just a high school diploma are expected to learn ~£1M less on average than those with their bachelors over the course of their lifetimes. Purlos is a personalized engagement platform built on Salesforce that helps academic institutions retain students by engaging and communicating with them in the channels that students are already actively using. The platform works to address the concerns of potential students during the admissions and enrollment process. The company’s digital assistant, Jenni, provides support through its AI-powered chat and for issues that cannot be addressed, the platform will escalate issues directly to administration. For the institutions, they are provided with a robust data analytics console that identifies the students that are most likely at-risk to drop out. London TechWatch caught up with CEO David Bartlett to learn more about the challenges facing higher educational institutions, the company’s traction, future plans, and much, much more.
Made in London
Farm’s Takeaway App Showcases London’s Local Culinary Talent
The pandemic has devastated the food industry and smaller, independent food-service businesses have felt the brunt of the pain. Farm, the new app, celebrates London’s local food scene and talent. Committed to supporting independent food businesses, the takeaway-only app does not charge any delivery or service fees, which ensures that vendors on the platform are able to keep all the margins. Consumers can order food from a variety of sources including the local farmers market, street vendors, artisan chefs, and more but the app does not include restaurants or chains. London TechWatch caught up with Mehmet Salih to learn more about Farm’s platform, the impact it has had on food businesses and professionals, and future plans.
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 […]
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.
OPTIMIZ Makes The Cargo Claims Process Fruitful through Its Multisided Platform
$990B worth of food is wasted every year and 14% of that occurs in transit. 45% of all food wasted consists of fruits and vegetables. Much of this wastage is due to problems with shipping. OPTIMIZ, founded by Kingsly Kwalar Kongnyuh, is a cargo claims management platform built for cargo owners, shipping lines, and insurers.
Patchwork Health Reduces Stress for Healthcare Workers and Ensures the NHS is Fully Staffed
Anas Nader, a physician, saw firsthand scores of colleagues leaving the profession on account of mounting stress caused by temporary staffing shortages. He cofounded Patchwork Health as a tech-driven solution to reduce the huge financial strain that staff shortages and inflexible systems were placing on an overburdened NHS. Dr. Nader shares more about the company, its impressive traction, response to COVID-19, and future plans.
Brave Bison is the Social Video Company Creating Viral Content for Brands
London is the capital of creativity and the home of digital innovation according to Brave Bison’s Kate Burns. Find out how the social video agency is powering the viral videos of many prominent brands.
Bankuet’s Online Platform Brings a Much-Needed Resurgence to Food Bank Donations
While volunteering at a London food bank for two years, Robin Ferris saw first hand the challenges that food banks face when it comes to managing supply and demand. Many people would like to help food banks but don’t know where to start. This led him to launch Bankuet, an online platform that allows donors to support food banks. With many predicting an economic downturn forthcoming, Bankuet is in a poised to help those most in need. Ferris’ team bulk orders items that food banks need and delivers them to these understaffed and overutilized food banks – more than 1.9 tonnes delivered thus far. Many in the startup community talk about changing the world; Ferris is doing it…
Silver Sharers Helps Older People Age in Place Through its Roommate Marketplace
The cost of housing is increasing rapidly and especially in large cities. Older individuals often have extra space in their homes and need supplemental income. Silver Sharers, cofounded by Suzanne Noble, is the marketplace that connects renters to older individuals who are looking to rent out space in their homes. Income for older individuals + affordable housing for renters = a win-win. Find out what inspired Suzanne to enroll in Y Combinator Startup School and launch this company…
StorkCard Helps Parents Manage and Plan Their Spending When it Comes to Children
Being a parent is a full-time job, and the costs of raising a child are steadily increasing. StorkCard helps families proactively save by predicting future costs of raising children. By using AI, Storkcard helps parents track spending, set realistic budgets, and anticipate upcoming expenditures. It also has select partnerships with various companies to help parents […]