Bristol-based Inclusive Media Solutions, a member of award-winning university startup incubator SETsquared, has just been awarded £150k of funding from local investors the Bristol Private Equity Club (BPEC) to develop its latest app AutonoMe.
The app, which is aimed at people with learning disabilities, allows users to access videos via their phones or tablets that show them tasks such as making a cup of coffee or using the washing machine, to help them gain more independence. All the user has to do is scan a household item (i.e. the kettle) via unique QR codes and off they go.
“To have the support of local business people is so much better than dealing with anonymous banks or funds in London”
William Britton (pictured left), Founder and CEO of Inclusive Media Solutions, said: “To have the support of local business people is so much better than dealing with anonymous banks or funds in London. We have plans to add a variety of additional features to the product and recruit staff to support our expanding users and clients.
“The AutonoMe project appealed to our members as it is innovative and ambitious”
“AutonoMe came about in 2015 because after years of teaching as a lecturer and assistive technology specialist for students with learning disabilities I became increasingly frustrated at the lack of cost effective, 21st-century mobile technology available to students.
“Within the first year AutonoMe had clients in housing, education, local authorities and support providers across the South West. We joined SETsquared last year and through this met the BPEC.”
South West startup success
This isn’t the first time BPEC has backed local tech startups in the region, it 2016 it also invested in award-winning startup YellowDog, which harnesses unused computer processing power to create virtual supercomputers.
“We have successful entrepreneurs with some spare capital who want to support businesses in the Bristol and Bath areas”
Jerry Barnes, a Co-Founder at BPEC, said: “We have successful entrepreneurs with some spare capital who want to support businesses in the Bristol and Bath areas. As well as being a source of funds we have a tremendous pool of talent with experience that can help businesses grow.
“The club was founded in May 2016 with just six investors and it has grown tremendously as we look for projects which need between £100,000 to £500,000 of equity funding, where our members can make a real difference and enjoy a return.
“The AutonoMe project appealed to our members as it is innovative and ambitious and has the potential to be very successful and provide real support in the care sector.”
Find out more about Inclusive Media Studio and the AutonoMe app on the Inclusive Media Solutions website. You can also stay up-to-date with the app’s progress via Twitter here: @AutonoMeNews. For more information about investment available at BPEC, check out the Bristol Private Equity Club website.
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