The showcase is the flagship pitch and demo event by SETsquared Bristol, the University of Bristol’s acclaimed tech incubator.
Abigail Simpson, Founder of Evex Digital Health, delivered a pitch recalling a time when the air of a local pub was thick with the smell of tobacco. Times changed. Smoking was banned indoors, but now everyone is vaping.
“People are vaping in the library, in bed, on planes and trains. It is normal and feels continuous,” Simpson said during her pitch. “Vaping is a widely adopted substitute for smoking - so why has so little thought gone into helping people quit vaping when 11% of Great Britain do it? Do we expect people to be addicted to nicotine all their lives?”
Tech-Xpo showcases Bristol’s most exciting startup talent and breakthrough innovations.
Simpson went head-to-head with five other cutting-edge tech startups. The competition spotlighted breakthrough ideas in areas like 3D imaging, aerosol and nasal drug development, and sustainable transport solutions.
Abigail Simpson, Founder of Evex Digital Health, said: “It’s a real honour to win Tech Xpo. The backing of this community has been invaluable, and we can’t wait to take Evex Digital Health forward as we push product development to the next stage.”
Simpson founded Evex Digital Health after graduating from the MSc in Digital Health programme at the University of Bristol and completing the SETsquared Bristol Enterprising Women programme. The company is pioneering a smart quitting companion designed to meet the unique habits and mindset of today’s vapers. Powered by proprietary tech, this digital tool blends behavioural science with intelligent guidance, helping users reduce, reflect, and ultimately quit for good.
SETSquared Bristol Centre Manager Caroline Thompson said: “It’s been a real privilege to support the incredible founders pitching at Tech-Xpo 2025. Hats off to Abigail whose compelling pitch and powerful storytelling truly resonated with the audience.”
Nathan Guest, Corporate Partner and Head of VWV’s Technology sector, said: "Although we have been lead sponsor of TechXpo for 15 consecutive years, I never cease to be amazed at the depth of innovation and talent in the SETsquared Bristol ecosystem.
“Congratulations to all the founders who pitched on the night – you all did an excellent job. Very many congratulations to Abigail, whose personality and outstanding pitch really connected with the audience. Finally, thank you to the brilliant SETsquared team for putting on another first-class event!”
This year’s event was sponsored by VWV, a full-service, multi award-winning commercial law firm with top-tier specialists based in Bristol. VWV has a longstanding relationship with the tech incubator, having provided a 3 hour weekly and pro bono lawyer-in-residence to the incubator's member companies since 2009.
Find out more about the pitching and exhibiting companies at Tech-Xpo 2025.