HoloMe has been crowned the capital’s most innovative tech firm after topping the London Tech 50 innovation ranking for 2020.
Southwark-based HoloMe (since rebranded as Beem), which has developed a technology for creating life-sized real humans in augmented reality, secured backing from both a high-profile judging panel and our readers.
Founder and CEO Janosch Amstutz says his firm may be the first to break down the natural psychological barrier humans experience in virtual communication. Read a full profile in this interview.
“I truly believe my team is unique. Getting this first place is a real testament to the team’s hard work and dedication,” Amstutz told BusinessCloud after learning of its no.1 spot. “We’re not just a company creating a tool or a software: we all share this big vision of changing the way that we as humanity communicate with one another.
“From a business perspective, it’s recognition that there is a change in the way the world is going to interact with experiences and data and technology.
“We’re a massive contender in the augmented reality space. London and HoloMe are testament that the world is moving into augmented reality and accelerating its pace significantly.”
HoloMe topped the ranking ahead of Humanising Autonomy, which is developing in-vehicle artificial intelligence to predict pedestrian behaviour.
Crowdfunding website Seedrs was third, climbing four spots compared with its 2019 placing. AccuRx, a text-messaging service that connects GPs with patients, and fashion prediction platform Dressipi rounded out the top five.
Dozens, a current account with savings tools and investments, was one of seven firms to make the top 10 on their first entry to the ranking.
Unmind (6) and Streetbees (10) moved up the ranking after featuring last year, with Cervest (7) and TrueLayer (8) new entrants.
BioBeats, which creates software to identify stress patterns using smartphones and wearable device sensors, was 15th. For a full interview with CEO Dr David Plans, who had the idea for the start-up after he temporarily ‘died’, see p29 of our latest magazine.
Twenty-one companies made the innovation ranking for the second year running, with Acurable (13), What3Words (18), Olio (27), Red Sift (28), Beauhurst (30) and WorldRemit (33) among those to improve their standing.
BusinessCloud called on its readers to vote for companies from a record 339-strong shortlist and saw more than 6,000 votes pour in.
A combination of these votes and choices from an expert judging panel determined the top 50.
The judging panel was comprised of:
- Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer, Mayor of London’s Office
- Eoin Marsh, entrepreneur engagement manager (London), Tech Nation
- Dr Lopa Patel MBE, CEO, Diversity UK
- Karthi Velayutham, director, Women Who Code London
- George Johnston, CEO, Tech.London
- Jonathan Symcox, editor, BusinessCloud
London Tech 50 is one of 11 regional tech innovation rankings from BusinessCloud which shine a light on the companies of all sizes doing amazing things with technology.
We publish one regional ranked list a month every year from February through to December.