Company: News
OLAI Named a Tech Nation Next Wave 2026 Finalist, Competing for a Share of a £2 Million Prize Pot
OLAI has been selected as one of 20 finalists for NextWave 2026, the UK startup competition bringing founders to Manchester to pitch for a share of a £2 million prize pot.
The finalists were chosen from an exceptional pool of applications from across the UK, with judges selecting the 20 startups they see as the next generation of early-stage UK tech. OLAI will take to the stage on 21 May to pitch alongside the rest of this year’s cohort for a share of the £2 million prize pot.
About the opportunity
OLAI is building assistive technology that supports older adults, disabled adults, and people living with conditions such as dementia and autism to complete everyday digital tasks independently and with confidence, from booking a GP appointment to managing online banking.
OLAI works with public-sector, retail, venue, and banking organisations, alongside a home app for individual users.
“This is an incredible achievement. OLAI was born because of a personal challenge with ageing parents. Now we get to rebuild accessibility and create the support that’s truly missing.” Yasmin Sidat, Founder of OLAI.
Progress so far
Since founding five months ago, OLAI has:
- Undertaken R&D into building its systems.
- Begun working with public- and private-sector organisations to bring OLAI to the people who need it most.
- Secured SEIS approval and been named to Tech Nation’s Breakout 50.
What’s next
OLAI is currently looking to partner with organisations in the public and private sectors as a key accessibility partner, building guidance systems, experiences, and data-led innovation.
Follow OLAI’s NextWave journey and learn more at olaiapp.com.