How Did ivvi Grow From a Family Idea to a Bett Award Winner?

Why did we create ivvi?

Our story began when Darius and Jo’s 15-year-old daughter failed an important exam after months of rewriting and rereading notes. Her diagnosis showed that she was dyslexic like her father.

We learned that reading is only half the need: people with dyslexia also need ways to process the words that reach them. Many dyslexic people are visual thinkers who remain buried under walls of text even when conventional assistive software is available.

Darius taught his daughter to mind map. She passed and later attended university.

What problem did students keep describing?

Over the next seven years, Darius and Jo taught thousands of students to mind map. Students reported that they could not create useful notes during lessons because spoken information arrived too quickly; they had to spend hours afterwards remaking notes as maps.

Students repeatedly asked for software that could record audio, create a transcript and turn it into a mind map during the lesson. We gathered a group of parents who funded development and built it.

What does ivvi mean and how does the product work?

ivvi stands for “Intelligent Voice to Visual Interface.” It is the first editable real-time voice-to-map technology.

When recording begins, ivvi captures audio, transcript and slides. It then filters spoken words into keywords, branches, icons and structure. The student stays in control; ivvi works with the learner rather than thinking instead of them.

How has ivvi changed students’ note-taking?

Caitlin, a university student involved in a University of Strathclyde collaboration, is quoted as reducing post-lecture note work from two and a half hours to leaving with a map she understands.
Rosie, aged seven, says a map helps her understand what her teacher wants her to do.

When did ivvi win the Bett Award?

ivvi won the 2026 Bett Award for SEND & Inclusion Resources and Services on 21 January 2026.

Bett is the world’s largest educational-technology exhibition, running since 1985 and attracting more than 30,000 attendees from over 130 countries. Entries are judged on innovation, impact, evidence and potential for positive change.

The win made ivvi:

the first AI-native product to win the SEND category in its 15-year history;
the first Scottish company to win the category;
one of only two products among roughly 95 on the UK DSA-approved software list ever to win a Bett Award.

It contrasts ivvi with previous winners including Pearson, Hodder Education/Hachette and Crick Software.

Which award criteria did ivvi meet?

What made ivvi distinctive and innovative?

ivvi is the first real-time voice-to-mind-map product built specifically for dyslexia and ADHD.

How is ivvi fit for educational use?

It captures lectures, seminars and tutorials in real time so the student can follow teaching rather than catch up afterwards.

How does ivvi support inclusion and accessibility?

Our clean interface, keyboard navigation and automatic branch organisation support visual thinkers and people with working-memory challenges.

How can parents use ivvi with their children?

Parents and children can talk through ideas, create a map and reorganise projects, assignments and daily activities together.

What evidence and research informed ivvi?

We developed ivvi through a University of Strathclyde pilot and testing with dyslexic students and professionals, informed by cognitive-psychology research on executive function, working memory and visual learning.

All data is encrypted and stored securely. Users retain ownership of their data. We do not use advertising or third-party exploitation.

What customer support does ivvi provide?

It mentions onboarding for trainers and study-skills tutors, in-app guidance, and support by email, phone and video, with issues resolved within 24 hours.

What value does ivvi provide?

At publication, individual plans included a free tier, £30/month or £300/year. DSA-eligible students could receive a government-funded course-long license.

How does ivvi support environmental sustainability?

ivvi is fully web-based, without packaging, discs or hardware, enabling paperless study with a minimal server footprint.

How has ivvi grown and what is our mission?

ivvi moved from its first sale to Bett winner in 12 months. Our distribution partner Aventido has 25 years in assistive technology, had three previous Bett finalists and achieved its first winner with ivvi. We are also part of the University of Edinburgh AI Accelerator.

We see AI as a rare opportunity for dyslexia: a way to convert words into visuals in real time. There are 800,000 children with dyslexia in the UK and 140 million worldwide. Our mission is to help one million students learn mind mapping by 2030.