Sunshine, Startups, and Social Impact: Demo Night Cornwall Brings the Heat

On a golden summer’s evening, the Tech Cornwall and Canopy Communities came together at the vibrant Newquay Orchard to celebrate the power of innovation, collaboration, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Against the backdrop of trees, sea air, and shared ambition, June’s Demo Night brought startup founders, investors, and change-makers together to spotlight brilliant ideas and bold female-led futures.

This special edition was delivered in proud partnership between Tech Cornwall and Canopy, two communities deeply invested in growing equitable and accessible tech ecosystems across the South West. Together, we're creating spaces where innovation is not just welcomed—but celebrated. Our shared vision: to elevate diverse founders in underserved regions and connect them with national platforms and global networks.

A heartfelt thank you to the whole Tech Cornwall team for their generosity, spirit, and collaboration. This event marks the beginning of an exciting chapter. We’re thrilled to announce two more Demo Nights in Cornwall before the end of the year—continuing our commitment to spotlighting founders, building bridges for investors, and nurturing a thriving community across the region.

The evening began with Nikki Davies, Director of Tech Cornwall, setting the tone. She reminded us that real tech ecosystems are grown—not imported. With programs teaching young girls and boys to code, and initiatives like Agile on the Beach and Cornwall Slushed (17th September, Lighthouse Cinema, Newquay), Tech Cornwall is redefining what inclusive, local-first innovation looks like.

Five Founders. Five Bold Ideas.

Canopy’s CTO-in-Residence, Matt Ville, reminded the audience of a simple truth: “Everything you touch, you change.” Founders don’t just build startups—they reshape the world. Each demo was delivered with five minutes to present and five for live Q&A. And the crowd—on-site and online—brought energy, encouragement, and insight. 

1. Time for Good – Redesigning Volunteering for Modern Life

Geoff opened the night with a dynamic presentation of Time for Good, a platform co-designed with Rob to enable micro-volunteering. With options for individuals, businesses, and charities, it’s making skilled volunteering easier, faster, and more impactful. The pitch was refreshingly honest: “We don’t need hype—we need clarity.” The audience feedback indicated a 2.6/5.0 for "I get it", 3.5/5.0 for "I'd use it", 3.9/5.0 for "I'd invest in it", and 4.0/5.0 for "I'd recommend it to a friend". 

The crowd jumped in with ideas on education partnerships, Duke of Edinburgh tie-ins, and smart positioning. Should they lead with “Social Value” or anchor their messaging in “CSR/ESG”? The room leaned towards ESG as a door-opener—but acknowledged Time for Good is perfectly positioned to own the emerging social value space. This sentiment was reflected in the feedback that posed the question for businesses: "For businesses, should we lead with 'Social Value' or 'CSR' or 'ESG'?". 

2. JamUp – Supporting Autistic Children with Everyday Routines

Rachael Malthouse, a PhD researcher, physiotherapist, and parent of an autistic son, gave a standout demo of JamUp. This emotionally intelligent app empowers children with additional needs to complete daily life skills—from brushing teeth to getting dressed—while giving parents access to health-professional-led guidance. JamUp received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with a 4.5/5.0 for "I get it", 4.0/5.0 for "I'd use it", 4.0/5.0 for "I'd invest in it", and 4.1/5.0 for "I'd recommend it to a friend"⁸. And the crowd has spoken! JamUp was voted the People's Choice of the evening, a testament to its profound impact and innovative approach! 

JamUp already has 1,000+ downloads in over 50 countries and a 73% trial-to-subscription conversion rate. Rachael is now raising £350K in SEIS-eligible funding to expand content, enter new markets, and deepen impact. The room was inspired—and reminded that some of the most scalable solutions come from deeply personal problems. 

3. ShineForms – Making Compliance Clear (and Safer)

Next up: Gary and Sean, who delivered a compelling breakdown of the complex world of electrical certification. Their software simplifies regulatory reporting for electricians and engineers, helping reduce corporate risk while increasing safety and transparency. 

Their ask? Support to grow. The audience feedback for ShineForms indicated 2.3/5.0 for "I get it", 2.5/5.0 for "I'd use it", 3.0/5.0 for "I'd invest in it", and 3.5/5.0 for "I'd recommend it to a friend". The advice? Tell a stronger story. Attendees loved the problem and the product, but urged the team to bring in design, brand, and narrative clarity. “You’ve built the engine,” one audience member noted, “but now you need someone to sell the car.” A smart reminder that tech needs storytelling to land. 

4. Cabo – Fairer Rides for Drivers and Riders

Jawad brought the night’s disruptor energy. As a former Uber driver, he’s experienced the inequity of the ride-hailing model firsthand¹⁷. That’s why he co-founded Cabo, a zero-commission, fixed-fare platform that lets drivers earn more—and passengers pay fairly. Cabo's feedback scores were 3.1/5.0 for "I get it", 4.0/5.0 for "I'd use it", 4.1/5.0 for "I'd invest in it", and 4.5/5.0 for "I'd recommend it to a friend". 

Cabo has launched in Bristol, already onboarded 500+ drivers, completed over £15K in ride revenue, and is growing 100% month-on-month. His mission is female-friendly, founder-strong: build a lean, people-powered platform that works with drivers, not against them. Expansion to Cornwall? Absolutely on the cards. 

5. AnyWaste.com – Digitising Global Waste for Good

Closing the night, Damian Lampkin took the mic with power and precision. AnyWaste.com is Uber, Amazon, and eBay—for waste. From tracking hazardous materials to preventing environmental crime, the platform digitises one of the world’s most opaque and harmful supply chains. AnyWaste received feedback scores of 3.1/5.0 for "I get it", 3.7/5.0 for "I'd use it", 3.7/5.0 for "I'd invest in it", and 4.1/5.0 for "I'd recommend it to a friend". 

With over 2,000 tonnes of waste already under projected management and partnerships across Europe, AnyWaste is scaling fast. Damian's team includes waste lawyers, government insiders, and sustainability experts—including Canopy’s own CMO-in-Residence, Nic. He’s raising £2M in EIS funding and inviting mission-aligned investors to join a truly global impact play. 

What’s Next?

The South West is rising—and Demo Night is becoming a trusted stage for founders building MVPs, raising investment, and seeking real-world validation. The overall recommendation score for the demo night was 8.9/10. Attendees highlighted that they enjoyed "meeting fantastic people and uplifting innovations"  and found it a "fun and informative" experience with "amazing people" and "brilliant ideas". One attendee suggested adding optional online profiles for online attendees for networking opportunities. 

This isn’t just about startups. It’s about community. It’s about women and men who believe in better. It’s about putting founders on the map—whether they’re based in London, Lisbon, or a surf town like Newquay.

If you're a founder, an investor, or someone who believes in the power of people with ideas, we’d love to meet you.

👉 Join us at the next Demo Night: www.lu.ma/canopy