Reading: Tech startup SafeToNet crowned the best in Britain

Reading-based tech startup SafeToNet has successfully fought off competition from over 100 other startups to be crowned the Best British Mobile Startup 2017.

SafeToNet is a cyber safety company that safeguards children from abuse and harmful content on social media.  The business uses self-learning algorithms that use data mining, pattern recognition and natural language processing to mimic the way the human brain works.

The software interprets data and images sent by family over social networks and messaging systems and correlates them using probability analytics which then blocks in real time harmful content before it can be seen.

The competition, organised by KPMG’s Tech Growth practice, saw pitching competitions take place in Birmingham, Leeds, Reading and London to find four outstanding mobile first finalists from over 100 applications to the competition.

Patrick Imbach, who leads KPMG’s Tech Growth team in London, said: “SafeToNet is a worthy winner with a great purpose and addressing a real problem. This is a hugely exciting business who stood out from the crowd in doing something really innovative and different. They are fantastic representatives of what is coming out of the UK’s significant tech startup community, which is consistently producing these hidden gems who are doing great things.”

SafeToNet pitched its business against BigChange Apps, Voxpopme and AppyParking at the ‘Four Years From Now’ technology startup conference (“4YFN”) at Mobile World Congress 2017, the largest annual gathering for the mobile industry. It was proclaimed overall winner by a panel of judges made up of tech specialist including startup adviser and connector Bindi Karia and Andrew Cockburn, Department of International Trade’s head of trade & investment.

Alex Holt, UK head of KPMG’s technology, media and telecoms practice, who was one of the judges, added: “The judges were stuck by the high quality pitch, high market potential and a hugely compelling mission demonstrated by SafeToNet. They were worthy winners of the KPMG Presents:Best British Startup title and I wish them all the best for the future.”

 

Mobile World Congress is the largest annual gathering for the mobile industry, organised by the GSMA, and held in the Mobile World Capital of Barcelona.