Startups Awards Hall of Fame: Steve Purdham, 3rings

Founder: Steve Purdham, Julie Purdham and Gareth Reakes
Year Started: 2013
Website: https://www.3rings.co.uk/ 

In the year since launching 3rings the business has seen phenomenal support and growth. The cloud-based service allows people who want to monitor elderly relatives to do so via domestic appliances that are connected to the cloud. The app stood out the judges as it was an original idea that would change the lives of families and ultimately allow the elderly to lead independent lives with support from their family.

Since winning the award for Rising Star of the Year Steve Purdham has seen the business grow with investments and expansion into supermarkets. He shares with Startups what the recognition from winning the awards has done for his business.

What’s happened in the last year since you entered the Startups Awards?

In the past year we have closed £750,000 seed funding with a major Health insurer and created a new significant distribution channel in the healthcare sector. In addition to this we now have 3rings Plugs in Tesco stores, and expanded the family care platform to accept generic IoT devices.

What’s been the single biggest highlight for the business since winning?

Getting emails from many customers saying how they love the 3rings plug and how it has helped their families and how, in many cases, it has saved their grandparent’s, mum’s or dad’s lives or saved them being alone after a fall or stroke

What are you hoping to achieve in the next year or so?

After achieving so much in the last year, going forward we would like to see continued growth.

What did winning at the Startups Awards mean to you?

It was a great indicator to the team of recognition of all their hard work. What’s more it was great from a PR perspective, and it really helped get 3rings noticed.

Why would you recommend entering awards like this?

If you are a start-up just do it; it really helps position the company for greater things and get that message out.

To enter the 2016  Startups Awards, click here.