Nominet Trust lists healthcare technology in annual NT100 'tech for good' list8 December 2014 The NT100 list for 2014 features 34 healthcare and accessibility applications that are embracing new technologies. These include e-NABLE, which harnesses 3D printing to create affordable prosthetics; FingerReader, a wearable tech device for sight loss; and MAMA, a global community which delivers vital health information to new and expectant mothers through mobile phones. In Africa and Asia, nine ventures are transforming the health of communities across 45 different countries. The Nominet Trust 100, or NT100, is an annual list of 100 inspiring ventures from around the world chosen by a steering group. The 100 projects, which are active in over 200 countries, are using technology to tackle some of the world’s biggest social problems from education and human rights abuses to climate change and health. Annika Small, CEO of Nominet Trust, the UK’s leading tech for good funder, said, “There is a striking progression in the quality and maturity of this year’s NT100, indicative of a wider evolution in the ‘tech for social good’ sector as a whole.” This year, there are 11 UK healthcare projects on the list. These include: DrDoctor, a simple, user-friendly health SMS and web tool for patients to interact with the NHS, SpeakSet, paired down Skype for the over 65s and SmartGlasses from RNIB, which increases the vision of the visually impaired. Small said, “More people than ever before are using technology to solve problems that matter to them in bold new ways. This year’s NT100 list is populated by extraordinary people with inspirational stories to tell and it shows us that imagination, social conscience and technology make a potent mix to affect change.” Simon Devonshire, Director of Wayra Europe, said, "Social tech has been bubbling away under the surface in recent years but the 2014 NT100 demonstrates that now is the time we should all sit up and pay attention. Many of these projects are beginning to scale up, or have the potential to do so in the near future. Given the right support, they will reach a point where their global social impact can match their ambition." Lucy Bernholz, Senior Fellow at the Stanford University Centre on Philanthropy and Civil Society, said, "The NT100 captures the diversity of digital social innovation. People all over the world are putting digital tools to work for good in ways that inspire and amaze. The innovations in the NT100 help us imagine a better future." Small added, “Technology is a powerful enabler of social innovation. The NT100 shows how improved access to technology is making it possible for people to take action and develop radically new solutions to the problems that they face in their communities. There are an impressive number of entrepreneurs and organisations around the world applying their digital and technological skills to make a significant impact in healthcare.” Following a global call for nominations earlier this year, the final list was compiled by a steering group chaired by Annika Small and including General Partner of Google Ventures, Tom Hulme; angel investor and entrepreneur, Sherry Coutu; Chief Executive of Big Lottery Fund, Dawn Austwick; CEO of Big Society Capital, Nick O’Donohue; Director of Wayra Europe, Simon Devonshire; innovation expert, Charles Leadbeater; internet entrepreneur, Dickie Armour; Senior Fellow at the Stanford University Center for Philanthropy and Civil Society, Lucy Bernholz; and Deputy Editor of The FT Weekend Magazine, Alice Fishburn. Further information The full NT100 list is given on the Social Tech Guide, an online
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