Disrup tioncalls:
Technological breakthroughs for the modern world
Disruptive innovation and technological breakthroughs can help accelerate us towards a sustainable planet, a fairer society, and healthier, happier lives. Building on our theme of ‘disruptors’, we’ve picked out six areas that are currently full of disruption, but continue to need attention.
Financial inclusion The Global Bank reports that 1.7 billion adults are unbanked, yet two-thirds of them own a mobile phone that could help them access financial services (2018). Meanwhile, US consultancy McKinsey estimates that serving the financial needs of the global unbanked could trigger more than $4tn in new deposits, over $2tn worth of formal lending, and drive almost $4tn of new GDP growth in emerging markets. Inclusive fintech is already booming in the developed world, with app-based banking, automated savings bots, ‘buy now pay later’, and deposit-free renting tools all readily available. Monzo, TransferWise and Klarna are all proof of the sector’s potential, with their unicornqualifying $1bn+ valuations. The coronavirus pandemic has given digital currencies a short-term popularity boost, which could prove to be a nudge towards sustained wider adoption. Senegal, Tunisia and The Bahamas have already created their own digital currencies, along with China’s much anticipated digital yuan. Facebook’s Libra is also coming, which claims to have the interests of the financially excluded at its heart.
10 Start! Issue six 2020-21
Healthcare The rapid outbreak of COVID-19 Clean water services saw the scientific community urgently According to international research and mobilise in response. Google’s DeepMind data company PitchBook, investment in unit quickly launched deep-learning US companies tackling declining water techniques to try to model the protein quality has risen 25% to $50.7m over the structures of the virus. Meanwhile, past five years. the White House asked researchers to NASA engineers have developed develop machine-learning techniques systems to recycle air and water onboard to analyse coronavirus-related studies to the International Space Station, better understand the deadly disease. efficiently turning wastewater (urine The potential of virtual reality (VR) included) into drinking water. continues to unfold as virtual tours Closer to home, Arizona-based start- assist surgeons in planning upcoming up Zero Mass Water, backed by Bill operations. VR can also be used to Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, educate patients. has created solar panels for home and 3D printing in medicine and dentistry commercial use that draw drinkable is moving on. Bioprinters such as Sanwater out of thin air. Diego’s Organovo are producing bioficial tissues to sell to drug manufacturers for them to test their new products more efficiently. And in London, Andiamo has prioritised healthcare solutions for disabled children. The tech company can deliver a medically effective orthosis within two weeks by using big data, 3D printing, and an advanced clinical service. The wider scientific community continues to push towards harnessing bioprinting technology for printing live, human body parts to mitigate the shortage of donor organs.
