CREATIVE DIGITAL

TECH NATION LIBRA

A Cornish business has been named among a list of tech startups to join a programme designed to combat racial inequality in UK tech by supporting ethnically underrepresented founders.

Tech Nation, a leading growth platform for tech scaleups, announced 35 tech startups with black, south Asian, east Asian or Arab founders who have been accepted into Libra 2.0; the second iteration of the Libra programme for ethnically underrepresented tech founders in the UK.

Data Duopoly is one of just three businesses from the south west named to the list, and the only one in Cornwall. CEO and co founder, Tanuvi Ethunandan, said: “Data Duopoly is building the ‘waze’ for people management in places. We connect spaces, places and people using data and AI. We are excited to be on the Libra programme with Tech Nation to help us scale and expand our offering.”

The six-month Government-backed Libra programme was created to tackle the racial diversity challenges that exist in UK tech. Last year, Extend Ventures reported that between 2009 and 2019, three quarters of VC investment went to all-white founding teams, while under a quarter (23%) went to multi-racial founding teams, and just 0.24% went to all-Black founding teams.

By supporting ethnically underrepresented tech leaders based in the UK (who are growing and scaling despite VC funding challenges), Libra aims to strengthen the UK’s position as one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business - for everyone.

BROADBAND EXPANSION

Wildanet has been rolling out a major expansion of its gigabit-enabled network across north Cornwall.

Thousands of homes across Launceston, Wadebridge and Bude will benefit once installation of new fibre cables is completed later this year.

North Cornwall MP, Scott Mann, joined Wildanet’s chief executive Helen Wylde on site in Launceston to see installation work taking place as part of the rollout.

SONIC BENCH HELPS FIREFIGHTERS

Firefighters in Cornwall have road-tested an innovative bench which uses soothing sounds and mindfulness to help them destress.

The crew at Tolvaddon Fire Station, near Camborne, have trialled the new ‘sonic bench’, and researchers at the University of Exeter have helped its creator to gather feedback.

The bench is the creation of Justin Wiggan, of Flushing-based Glass Twin, which specialises in using sound to help lower agitation and build resilience. Users sit down and press a button and are guided through a breathing exercise. The relaxation is accompanied by soothing sounds chosen by the firefighters, such as bird song.

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!

Local filmmakers Callum Mitchell, Jonny Dry and Ella Turner are shooting their latest film – Mackling – this autumn in Penzance.

West Cornwall born Mitchell’s recent audio drama-documentary, Solomon Browne, was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 last year to widespread acclaim and selected as Drama of the Week.

Working from a script by Mitchell, Jonny Dry is set to direct with Ella Turner producing for Studio Erma. The trio worked together on the set of BAFTA-winner Mark Jenkin’s latest feature, Enys Men, and will be supported by Bosena CEO & producer He said: “I have been very pleased to meet with and offer my support to Wildanet as they bring great technology and its benefits to people in Launceston. In addition to the enhanced service available to residents, many businesses in my constituency will thrive from faster broadband and more stable connections. Wildanet are at the cutting edge of our mandate to level up rural and coastal constituencies and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

Wiggan said: “Wellbeing is absolutely crucial in our fast-paced pressurised world, and firefighters work in particularly high stress situations. The bench is designed to provide a safe space. It guides users through a breathing activity, designed to lower agitation and to help create a calmer state of mind.”

The pilot project was supported by the University of Exeter’s Inclusivity Project, which aims to support Cornish SMEs to improve health and wellbeing at work. The project helped to create a simple and easy to use traffic light system to measure how firefighters were feeling.

Dr Daniel Derbyshire, of the University of Exeter, who worked on the project, said: “It’s fantastic to apply our research expertise to this innovative idea that could go some way towards helping firefighters reduce their stress levels, and I’m sure it is something we’ll be hearing more about in the future.”

Wiggan’s creation won Best Innovation in Everyday Life at the 2021 Sound of the Year awards. Similar benches have also now been installed at The Fire Fighters Charity’s three centres across the UK.

Denzil Monk for Mackling – shooting throughout West Penwith this November with a range of local cast and crew.

Set in a world of reclamation yards, house clearances and rural deprivation, Mackling is a social drama following the strange and off kilter relationship between two men, Bud and Sully, as they prepare for a local funeral.

Dry said: “Callum’s writing on Mackling captures something of the complex picture of magic, deprivation, community and isolation which can be found down here. To be working from such a piece of writing, and with Ella alongside, is very special.”