Slush, a technology conference taking place in Helsinki, Finland on November 30 and December 1, gathers the key players in the global tech sector. The Innovator selected the most promising startups to meet at the conference. Some are already well known, others are below-the-radar but are unlikely to stay there for long.
ENERGY
STOREDOT
ISRAEL
WHAT IT DOES: StoreDot has developed a fast-charging battery powered by organic compounds and nanomaterials. The company is partnering with original equipment manu facturers (OEMs) to adapt the batteries for use in smartphones, displays and electric vehicles.
ENERGY
NORTHVOLT
SWEDEN
WHAT IT DOES: Northvolt is building an advanced factory designed to enable production of greener energy storage batteries. The new battery form is intended to require a minimal carbon footprint while working in tandem with the expanding European use of renewable energy sources.
ENERGY
ECO WAVE POWER
ISRAEL
WHAT IT DOES: Eco Wave Power has designed a new wave power technology that extracts energy from ocean and sea waves and then transforms it into electricity. Such technology creates sustainable and affordable energy source for regions around the world.
FOOD
PERFECT DAY
UNITED STATES
WHAT IT DOES: Perfect Day it trying to reinvent the way milk is produced to create a healthier product and a process that is more environmentally sustainable. Rather than using any animals, the company uses a craft-brewing technique to make a product that contains the same nutrients as milk.
ENVIRONMENT
ECOHUB
BOTSWANA
WHAT IT DOES: Ecohub gathers plastic waste and then recycles it into an “eco-brick,” a mix of wood and the re-used waste. These can then be assembled into walls that form the basis of a new type of low-cost housing. The company is moving from final prototype to testing phase.
FOOD
HARGOL FOODTECH
ISRAEL
WHAT IT DOES: The company raises grasshoppers as a protein source for alternative foods. The goal is to provide a new protein ingredient that will lead to lower-cost and sustainable food as traditional forms like beef, chicken and fish reach their natural limits and place a strain on the environment.
HEALTH FITED
UNITED STATES
WHAT IT DOES: Fited is using 3D printing, machine learning, remote sensing, and its own compu- ter-assisted design (CAD) technology to reinvent medical braces and prosthetics. Its first product is a custom-fitted brace for pediatric scoliosis patients.
TRANSPORTATION
VECTOR SPACE SYSTEMS
UNITED STATES
WHAT IT DOES: Vector has developed a new launch system to make it easier and more cost-effective to place space innovations in orbit. The company is building a family of rockets to launch micro-satellites and aims to place a satellite for which developers write applications.
FINANCE
TENX
SINGAPORE
WHAT IT DOES: TenX wants to make cryptocurren- cies easier to spend in the real world. After holding an ICO earlier this year, the company has developed smartphone apps and debit cards that connect to blockchain financial systems.
WORK
INTEGRIFY
FINLAND
WHAT IT DOES: The company teaches coding to refugees and immigrants and then helps them find jobs in the tech economy. After launching in Finland, Integrify is preparing to expand across Europe.
WORK SMARP
FINLAND
WHAT IT DOES: Smarp has created a SaaS platform to enable better internal communication between employees and executives. The service is accessed via an app that allows employees to submit and share knowledge and company news, while creating better engagement among co-workers. http://www.smarp.com/
ENERGY
KITEMILL
NORWAY
WHAT IT DOES: The company has developed a fixed-wing kite tethered to a ground station that generates energy as the kite spirals in the air. Capturing energy from wind at higher altitudes is more efficient, says Kitemill, which is moving into the next stages of testing and fundraising.
ENERGY
SMART PLANTS
NORWAY
WHAT IT DOES: The company is focused on reducing the energy consumption of buildings, which the European Commission has said is responsible for 40% of energy use and 36% of CO2 emissions. Smart Plants uses connected hardware and its platform to help building and factory owners monitor and reduce energy use.
ENERGY
HELIAC
DENMARK
WHAT IT DOES: The company has developed large-scale polymer foil-based solar concentrators for utilities to capture solar power and reduce costs. It also sells a solar cooker that allows people to heat food and water without using raw materials (wood or kerosene), or creating emissions.
FOOD
FARMERS CUT
GERMANY
WHAT IT DOES: The company has developed a “Dryponics” system to grow food indoors as well as a retail solution to optimize delivery. The automated cultivation method produces fresh greens while minimizing the use of energy, water and pesticides. By growing in urban areas, closer to consumers, the company wastes fewer resources on transportation. https://farmerscut.com/
FOOD
HEALTH MATSMART
SWEDEN
WHAT IT DOES: Matsmart aims to reduce massive food waste by focusing on food that gets thrown away because it’s past the expiration date. Because such dates are advisory, rather than indications the food is no longer safe, Matsmart identifies ones that are still okay to eat, and sells them to customers at a discount.
HEALTH
BABYLON
UNITED KINGDOM
WHAT IT DOES: Babylon combines machine learning with human medical expertise to create a personalized health service available globally. The company also partners with health care networks, such as the NHS in Britain, to allow users to make video calls for appointments and consultations.
EDUCATION
NARA EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES
TURKEY
WHAT IT DOES: This startup makes virtual and augmented reality technologies for teachers to use in the classroom across a range of subjects. Teachers are able to choose among Cardboard or GearVR. The company is also developing augmented reality solutions to enhance learning experiences. http://nara.com.tr/
HEALTH
NATURAL CYCLES
SWEDEN
WHAT IT DOES: The company has developed an app that uses an algorithm to track a woman’s ovulation cycle. The self-testing app has proved so accurate that it has been certified as a cont raceptive in the European Union, and the founders have applied for approval in the United States.
https://www.naturalcycles.com/
HEALTH
UBIOME
UNITED STATES
WHAT IT DOES: UBiome’s SmartGut test uses precision sequencing to detect beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms associated with specific infections, lifestyle choices and gut conditions. Patients then work with their doctors to assess the health of their microbiome and what steps to take.
TRANSPORTATION
FFLY4U
FRANCE
WHAT IT DOES: Develops embedded IOT devices that help companies track their mobile assets such as drums, trucks, pallets and construction equipment. The data allows customers to closely monitor the movement of their equipment through a web platform to optimize its use.
TRANSPORTATION
SAVE TRACK
ARGENTINA
WHAT IT DOES: This computer vision company has initially focused on developing the SaveBox, a gadget that sits in the cabs of long-haul trucks and uses its facial recognition and AI algorithms to deliver warnings when a driver appears fatigued or is falling asleep. The data is uploaded to the SaveCloud so that fleet managers can monitor and analyze drivers’ performance.
FINANCE
AID:TECH
IRELAND
WHAT IT DOES: AID:Tech uses blockchain technology to help international NGOs, government, and corporations deliver aid and donations. The system creates a digital identity for the recipients, and allows organizations to make sure resources reach the right recipients.
FINANCE
TOKEN
UNITED STATES
WHAT IT DOES: Token has built a global open banking network that provides developers with a single point of account access for payments and information retrieval. Token’s open API is intended to let banks monetize their infrastructure while creating new relationships with partners.
VR/AR
VARJO TECHNOLOGIES
FINLAND
WHAT IT DOES: The company has created a “Bionic Display” technology that mimics the human eye, delivering far greater resolution for VR/AR devices. Varjo is working with OEMs to enable more powerful VR/AR that the company hopes will help redefine work and play.
