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MSDUK’s Innovation Challenge competition is highly competitive, celebrating the best and brightest Ethnic Minority Owned start-ups and entrepreneurs. The programme demands the best from each of its 100 applicants, in entrepreneurial enthusiasm, determination to change the world through innovation, and excellent pitching skill. 

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Mayank Shah, CEO and Founder at MSDUK, praised, “the exceptionally high standard and the innovation of the entries this year”, making competition strife.  

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Our expectations were met and exceeded, by each one of our 12 finalists, making for a sensational final at our MSDUK Conference earlier this month.  

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The programme spotlighted the best innovators across various evolving sectors and technologies, including AI & Machine Learning, Sustainable Cities and Consumer Health, united in developing ‘Better Ideas for a Better World’. Supporting the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this year’s participants were encouraged to “improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests” (United Nations Department of Global Communications, 2015).  

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The growth and popularity of the MSDUK Innovation Challenge could not be possible without the continuous support of our sponsors. We would like to thank our headline sponsor, Accenture, and our category sponsors, Cummins, Digital Catapult, EY, and GSK, for supporting this year’s competition.  

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This year, Ethnic Minority Owned start-ups and entrepreneurs competed for prizes worth over £150K. There were four category winners but Wai Foong Ng founder of Matchable was crowned as the overall Innovation Challenge 2021 winner.  

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Meet our incredible category winners! 

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ADVANCED DIGITAL SOLUTIONS – Dhruv Ghulati, Factmata  

We have all heard about the monumental attack by fake news, trolls and cancel culture on our communications systems. Well, Factmata have developed the solution. Their AI technology, using unbiased coding, identifies and extracts disinformation, and harmful content, saving considerable time for digital media analysts. A crucial tool for online businesses, it enables monitoring of online brand narrative, and give insights into the brand perception and circulating opinion.  

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HEALTHCARE & WELLBEING – Dr Chen Mao, LatchAid 

Many mothers and partners will be familiar with the difficulty, pain and frustration of breastfeeding. But LatchAid have developed the world’s FIRST digital tool to help at every step of the way. LatchAid enlists emerging digital technology, and combines it with sincere compassion, to assist families indiscriminately with a natural but difficult process. Using 3D interactivity and AI technology, LatchAid teaches mothers-to-be about breastfeeding, and facilitates valuable communication with other Mothers and professionals, providing 24/7 support.  

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SMART BUILDINGS, ENERGY, AND NET ZERO CARBON – Xiaobin Zhao, Cambond 

Adhesives are a multi-billion-pound industry, used in packaging, building materials, plastics and so many other day-to-day items. Increasingly difficult to recycle, adhesives are harmful to the environment in terms of sustainability and pollution, and they contain damaging cancerous chemical, formaldehyde. But Cambond have a solution. Their carbon neutral bio-resin cuts production CO2 emissions by 80% and removes harmful chemicals, increasing sustainability and making a major step towards cutting pollution.  

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SOCIAL INNOVATION – Wai Foong Ng, Matchable 

Every business thrives on the passion and skillset of their dedicated employees and contributors. Matchable have risen to the challenge of connecting such passionate individuals to exciting volunteering opportunities that align with their interests and provide relevant upskilling. Their innovative online platform connects their volunteers with exciting non-profits and start-ups, striving to make a genuine social impact. With such an incredible social impact, innovative technology and fantastic pitch, MSDUK were delighted to award Matchable not only with our Social Innovation award, but also as our overall Innovation Challenge 2021 Winner. A huge achievement and an award incredibly well deserved. 

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