CHILDREN’S SOCIAL PLATFORM SHORTLISTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

A new children’s social media platform which has been designed with safety as the top priority has been shortlisted for a national innovation award.

Circlone, founded by Londoner Rupert Lowe during his studies at the University of Nottingham, is one of the ten finalists at this year’s Champion of Champions Competition organised by charity EIBF.

Rupert, 21, created Circlone during his Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence studies after becoming increasingly aware of the significant divide in digital freedom among children.

Putting safety first, Circlone allows children aged 8-12 to connect with teachers, friends and family in a verified-only environment, eliminating many risks associated with mainstream social media networks.

Rupert said: “Parents can trust Circlone thanks to robust parental controls and stringent verification processes, like teacher endorsements or ID checks upon registration, ensuring authenticity and accountability, a tone that is retained beyond onboarding.

“The platform evolves with the user, adjusting content and UI as children grow, all while staying compliant with international safety laws. Circlone offers a safe, adaptable space for kids to explore the digital world.”

After participating in Ingenuity Impact 2024 and winning a prize in their enterprise competition, with prizes provided by EIBF, Rupert will now compete against nine other teams from across the UK in the Champion of Champions Competition.

The competition’s grand final will take place at the Royal Academy of Engineering on Friday 8 November, where Rupert will compete for a share of the £16,500 prize pot, providing vital seed money to help winners develop their innovation.

Winners will also receive mentoring from business leaders who are members of the Sainsbury Management Fellows network, plus CV packages from PurpleCV and entrepreneurial books from Cambridge University Press and Double your Price, an award-winning book by David Falzani MBE, which covers how pricing works with practical insights, tools and actionable guidance.

The event, hosted by TV presenter and engineer Rob Bell, is the culmination of a year of EIBF-sponsored enterprise competitions held across UK universities, with thousands of undergraduate and graduates taking part.

Each year, EIBF champions business education for engineers and supports universities by giving them grants to award prizes to engineering students who develop ideas that can make a positive impact on society.

Rupert added: “We’re aiming to take the next big step by transitioning to full-time and securing investors. To make this possible, we need to expand our network and expertise. Mentoring will enable us to confidently present our business plan and model, ensuring we are well-prepared for this critical phase.

“Networking is at the core of entrepreneurship. Whether it’s understanding your consumers, building connections with partners, seeking out valuable insights, or pursuing investors, strong networks provide the foundation for success.”

Claire Mulholland, Director of Ingenuity Impact, said: “We are delighted to hear the news of Rupert’s success progressing onto the Champion of Champions Competition – such an inspiring entrepreneur with impact at the heart of his idea. We wish him every success with this next pitch and I am pleased Ingenuity Impact could help kickstart this exciting journey for Circlone.”