Winners crowned for Isle of Man Innovation Challenge 2025

After a 12-week journey of mentoring, testing and collaboration, innovators from four teams were crowned winners of the Isle of Man Innovation Challenge 2025 on 26 June, which showcased solutions across CleanTech, Data & AI, FinTech to address some of the Island’s most pressing needs.

Now in its third year, the Challenge highlights Isle of Man’s role in driving global innovation by allowing businesses to develop and trial innovations within the island’s unique regulatory framework, offering the perfect testbed for product development and scaling up ideas.

Aligned with the Isle of Man’s unique status as the world’s only whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere, all finalists were required to demonstrate how their solutions embraced sustainability and community principles, supporting the evolution of a responsible innovation ecosystem.

An additional dedicated ‘Biosphere’ award was also presented in partnership with the UK National Commission for UNESCO.

The winners were selected from a group of 14 finalists following a rigorous global competition which attracted more than 100 entrants from over 20 countries. Their journey culminated on the Finale Day, where the finalists presented their cutting-edge ideas to a panel of expert judges and over 200 audience members.

The final scores were based on a weighted system – 40% from the initial application and interview process, 30% from Finale Day judges and 30% from the live audience vote – with all entries assessed on innovation, scalability and their potential impact on the Isle of Man.

The winners across the four categories were:

• FinTech – Binderr, which has developed a professional and financial services marketplace that streamlines compliance, onboarding and risk management through a trusted, independent network.
• Data & AI – Early Ideas IOM, which has developed an AI-powered early childhood development tool, Tandem, that provide parents with AI-generated resources to support children’s development through expert-driven guidance.
• Cleantech – Lnk Technologies, which has developed a carbon emissions reduction platform, CarbonLnk, that optimises energy usage to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs for businesses.
• Biosphere’ – Big Bower, which has developed an AI-driven marketplace for sustainable manufacturing that connects brands and manufacturers, focusing on sustainable practices and supply chain efficiency.

The winners will now benefit from an extensive support package including international publicity and six months of access to the Isle of Man’s ecosystem of mentors, investors, regulators and government advisers, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration, and growth.

The Isle of Man Innovation Challenge is delivered by the executive agencies of the Isle of Man Department for Enterprise and is led by Digital Isle of Man, in collaboration with Business Isle of Man, and Finance Isle of Man.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Innovation Challenge will return with a focus on Health and Social Care. Developed in partnership with the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care, the competition will focus on technology-led solutions that improve patient outcomes, enhance service efficiency and support frontline health and care professionals.

“Health and Social Care is a natural and exciting evolution for the Innovation Challenge,” said Digital Isle of Man chief executive Lyle Wraxall. “With a proven model for innovation and cross-government collaboration, we now have a powerful opportunity to focus our efforts on the areas of public life where innovation can have the greatest impact.

“By building on our track record, we can deliver meaningful change that benefits both our public services and the wider community.”