Canopy Demo Night Cornwall: September 2025

Community, celebration, and new ideas filled the air at the lighthouse cinema in Newquay as the Canopy and Tech Cornwall tribes came together for an evening devoted to founders, innovation, and connection.  The demo night capped off an eventful day of Slush'd Cornwall.

The Evening’s Spirit

Warm welcomes opened doors to Cornwall’s startup energy, with hosts Matt and Nic leading the way with enthusiasm and gentle wisdom. This season, Tech Cornwall’s invitation has opened space for four Demo Nights supporting brave local founders and building regional momentum.

Audience participation set the rhythm: claps, cheers, and honest questions, fueling lively Q&A after each demo. A steady theme ran throughout: “All that you touch you change. All that you change, changes you.” Our tribal mantra guided every moment, calling us to engage deeper and learn together.

The Startups Who Took the Stage

Seven remarkable startups presented, sparking conversations from the first pitch to the last. In their own words and actions, these founders shared stories grounded in challenges, hopes, and the wisdom of learning as a tribe.

1. MarkeTypes (Simon):
A platform built for those who struggle with finding the perfect gift, using science and psychology to offer tailored recommendations based on personality types. MarkeTypes aims to make giving as joyful as receiving, and hopes to expand its geolocation features beyond the Southwest.

2. Kilts and Kente (Lewis & Imtiaz):
Founders who transformed dry, one-way business conferences into immersive murder mystery experiences for real team learning. Their games blend fun, skill-building, and camaraderie to refresh how companies gather and grow. Now commercialising, they’re taking their team development adventure to UK national banks and global businesses.

3. Charismatic AI:
A new approach to storytelling in the age of microdrama. Leveraging AI for script generation, Charismatic AI helps writers and production teams create high-quality, bingeable stories in minutes instead of months. Their B2B platform is built with ethical AI in mind and partners with Falmouth University, Aardman Animations, and Channel 4.

4. NLSQL (Denis):
An AI-powered builder for full-stack web applications. Just describe your idea and NLSQL’s system rapidly creates a custom front and backend solution. From coffee shop apps to seamless prototyping—even for non-programmers—NLSQL is aiming to bring web development into the hands of everyday problem solvers.

5. URCASH (Ranganath):
A fintech platform focused on lending, borrowing, and real-time settlement of payments across currencies and geographies. URCASH targets consumers, businesses, and banks, promising instant transactions, lower costs, and innovative products that reshape global finance.

6. Butterfly Wellness (Fifi):
A holistic health platform bridging psychodermatology and wellness. Butterfly Wellness helps people and clinics tackle skin health from both inside and out, addressing the link between mental health and skin conditions. Through the “Shama” platform, they’re building better habits and support for daily care.

7. Fate at Eight (Dan):
The People’s Choice winner of the night! Dan’s “Fate at Eight” truly touched hearts and minds. His vision to create meaningful, human connections in a digital age through a shared dinner experience struck a powerful chord with the audience. His humble approach and genuine passion reminded everyone why we gather—to fuel connection and empathy. Dan’s story—the loneliness he saw around him translated into a creative act of bringing people together—was a highlight that inspired deep applause and standing ovations. The community’s vote was a collective embrace of his mission to foster authentic ties in a fast-moving world. This award not only celebrates innovation but the humanity at the core of every great idea.

Audience Wisdom & Tribal Energy

Throughout the evening, Q&A sessions blossomed with practical feedback, encouragement, and new connections. Whether the topic was scaling internationally, pitching to investors, or tackling community challenges like loneliness and mental health, everyone’s contribution mattered. Attendees left with lift in their step, new friendships, and inspiration for their own journeys.

Hat Tip to Hosts and Partners

Matt and Nic created a safe, honest container for learning and openness. Their work, along with the steadfast support of Tech Cornwall, keeps Demo Night thriving and helps every founder feel seen and supported.

Special thanks go out to:

• Tech Cornwall for championing this partnership and bringing Demo Night to Cornwall throughout the year.

• Cornwall Trade and Investment for supporting local ambitions and outreach beyond the region.

Join the Next Demo Night!

Demo Night is a living community—an invitation to participate, celebrate, and bring new ideas to light. There’s one more event before year’s end, and every voice is welcome. Whether presenting, mentoring, cheering, or listening, join the tribe and help Cornwall’s founder story unfold.

“All that you touch you change. All that you change, changes you.” – Octavia E. Butler

Let’s continue lifting each other up, sharing wisdom, and growing the Canopy tribe—see you at the next Demo Night!

Check out our full events calendar at lu.ma/Canopy