Edinburgh-based Good-Loop has been selected as a finalist for Vodafone’s first techstarter awards. The start-up has created an ethical video ad platform enabling brands to connect social purpose with better viewer experience and better ad performance.

Vodafone’s programme aims to uncover and develop ideas that harness the power of technology, connectivity, and innovation – to improve health, education, environmental protection, or social mobility. It has been developed in partnership with the Vodafone Foundation, Vodafone’s charitable arm, and Social Tech Trust, which supports socially motivated tech ventures.

The twelve shortlisted organisations, both profit and not-for-profit, all have prototype ideas with a clearly defined social purpose. The ventures exploit a range of technologies from mobile apps to the internet of things, artificial intelligence and blockchain.

The finalists are the Alexandra Rose Charity, Code 4000, Full Fact, The Church of England’s Children’s Society, The Integrate Agency, Wayfindr, BfB Labs, Good-Loop, Lettus Grow, BlakBear, Walk With Path, and Alice SI.

In addition to sharing a prize fund of £300,000, winners will benefit from access to industry and technology expertise from Vodafone and the Social Tech Trust, enabling them to take their innovations from prototype to market readiness. This will include coaching, commercial development support, mentorship, investment and partnership advice. 

“We believe some of the biggest challenges in society can be addressed using technology and innovation,” said Anne Sheehan, enterprise director at Vodafone UK. “Techstarter is about recognising and celebrating how UK start-ups are helping shape society for the better; we want to empower small businesses to truly make a difference in society.”

Ed Evans, chief executive of Social Tech Trust, added: “It’s fantastic to see such an inspiring group of social tech innovations make the Vodafone Techstarter shortlist.  All of them are driven by social purpose and are making a positive contribution to people’s lives.  We look forward to working with the winning teams to help them grow and scale their social impact.”

The Vodafone Techstarter winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 7 February.