We are so excited to announce that we have been awarded a five figure Innovate UK Fast Start grant to accelerate our development of cutting-edge AI and Machine Learning technology to help ethical ‘bricks-and-mortar’ businesses grow.

Since we launched the beta of our web-app in May, it has already helped nearly two thousand people find the best ethical, sustainable and socially-conscious businesses and experiences in their local areas.

Thanks to Innovate UK, we are now able to work on how we can harness AI and Machine Learning to discover insights and recommendations on where good businesses could improve their advertising, marketing and business performance. 

By analysing mass consumer behaviour and similar businesses, ethical companies will be able to easily understand where they are over and underperforming and be provided with practical ways they can improve their footfall, marketing and digital outreach. 

There are so many incredible companies in the UK who are going above and beyond to deliver positive impact for people, planet and community. They are exactly the kind of businesses we need, but it's incredibly tough for them right now. Technology, and especially new developments in AI and Machine Learning, can really help them grow, but smaller, purpose-driven businesses are missing out because they don’t have the time, skills and money. It's our mission to change that and Innovate UK’s backing will take us one step closer to achieving that goal.

Described by assessors as an “exceptional project” with “great potential for socio-economic impact”, the £50,000 grant forms part of Innovate UK’s £30 million Creative Catalyst programme to support high potential businesses in the creative sector.

Our web-app only lists companies who are giving back to people, planet and community, over and above just making a profit. Thanks to partnerships with leading ethical accreditation and membership bodies like the Living Wage Foundation, Sustainable Restaurant Association and PlanetMark, you can clearly see what a business is doing to be good. 

We're here to help the increasing number of people who want to support ethical and sustainable companies, but find it difficult to know where to look or who to trust. By making it easier for people to discover them, our mission is to help ethical businesses grow. 

We're currently in Beta in London, ahead of a full public launch in September. If you want to sign up  for early access (and we think you should!) then you can do it here.

The Innovate UK Award comes on top of some other recent recognition for our work. Our female-founded startup named one of five "most promising" businesses by Soho House in 2022 and honoured as a Top 100 Startup in the SantanderX UK Awards 2022. We were also a Hustle Awards 2023 Finalist for Early Stage Innovation. 

We are immensely proud and hugely grateful for this opportunity from Innovate UK.