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An open banking platform and medical tech firm could soon be partnering with Capgemini

Two London-based startups have been confirmed as finalists for a major international innovation competition which could see them snag $50,000 in funding and partner with consultancy firm Capgemini.

Open banking app Bud and medical tech firm Cupris, which turns any iPhone into clinical-grade stethoscopes and other devices, are to compete with eight other finalists in Capgemini’s InnovatorsRace50 pitching competition in Paris this summer.

The pair, who have both been born and bred in the capital, have fended off over 900 early-stage companies to reach the final stage of the innovation competition where they will go up against startups from Canada, India, France, Germany, Sweden and Australia.

Brick Lane’s Bud has received much early hype for its all-in-one financial app which brings together a user’s disparate financial apps into one interface to help them better manage their money.

Jamie Campbell, who is Head of Customer Experience at Bud, said that being named as a finalist was a ‘huge honour’ for the startup and that the programme was set to open up new avenues for the business.

He said: “Capgemini consults for some of the largest companies in the world. To be a part of a roster of companies that are just starting out, this kind of hands-on insider assistance will open up plenty of opportunities. We want our technology to positively affect as many people as possible, a partnership with Capgemini is surely a step in the right direction.”

Cupris on the other hand has already secured trials with hospitals in Medway for its app and add-on device which turns any iPhone into an otoscope, and is now looking to accelerate that growth over the coming months.

Chief Executive Officer, Mike Pallet, commented following the finalist announcement: “Being a finalist is a great chance for us to build contacts and introduce ourselves to customers and investors through the Capgemini network, while gaining increased exposure from the competition. The skills and expertise Capgemini has, will also help up accelerate the growth and scaling of our company.”

As the UK’s sole finalists in the competition, the two startups will now benefit from access to the global consultancy company’s network of tech experts and be exposed to Capgemini’s Applied Innovation Exchanges (AIG), its global innovation platform which will support the development and testing of the startup’s products.

The programme will then culminate on June 16, where the ten finalists will pitch their innovations to a jury at the VivaTech trade show in Paris, where they will be in with a chance of securing $50,000 of equity-free funding and the opportunity to partner up with Capgemini for future projects.

Capgemini’s Group Chief Technology, Lanny Cohen, commented: “It’s exciting to see so many innovative and disruptive start-ups take part in this special 50th birthday edition of Innovators Race this year.

“We want to congratulate the finalists for making it this far and we are eager to welcome them into our AIEs to help them refine their offerings. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to seeing their final presentations at VivaTech in June.”

The finalists

• Buddy4Study - India
• Lili smart - France
• Finn.ai - Canada
• Bud - UK
• Kinematics - Germany
• Hippogriff - Sweden
• Cupris - UK
• Tensorflight - Australia
• Ouistiti - France
• Foxintelligence - France

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