Rising Star of the Year 2015

Start-up name: 3rings
Founder: Steve Purdham, Julie Purdham and Gareth Reakes
Started in: 2013 (launched 2015)
Based in: Oxford
Business description: Care monitoring via an app-based device

Launched this year, 3rings’ cloud-based service for people wanting to monitor elderly relatives via ‘connected’ domestic appliances has been named our Rising Start of the Year.

The idea behind it is based on the age-old ‘three rings code’ but 3rings’ innovative solution – from the founding team of serial entrepreneur Steve Purdham, Julie Purdham, and Gareth Reakes – brings the concept bang up to date.

Its Internet of Things (IoT) app device lets you and your family keep an eye on elderly loved ones wherever they are by combining a ‘smartplug’ and cloud-based care platform.

The smartplug connects to everyday appliances, such as a TV or kettle, and then sends a signal to your cloud portal when activity has been detected – without impeding upon the lives of relatives.

While patents are pending, 3rings has developed technology that will effectively change the lives of families across the UK.

Its goal “to allow ageing loved ones to live independent lives longer”, coupled with backing from Innovate UK and support from the crowd, impressed the Startups Awards judges.

The judges also wanted to shine a spotlight on Hubble, the online marketplace for office space, which was awarded second place, and Laundrapp; the on-demand laundry and dry cleaning app, in third place.

The other finalists in the category were cycling adventure holidays organiser Ride25, data-saving app Ice Cream, and .tickets domain name owner Accent Media.