LatchAid: Modernising Breastfeeding and Early Parenthood Support using 3D Interactive and AI Technology

I came to the UK from China in 2002 to study Computer Science. With minimal English and personal networks, I overcame extraordinary challenges and established a celebrated career in Science & Technology. Highlights include: * **world-class PhD/Postdoctoral research & publications** in Computer Graphics, Visualisation, and Animation

* **developing Computer-Aid-Design, 3D Visualisation technology/software** for sustainability and performance analysis of landmark buildings including Heathrow Terminal 5\.

* **developing cutting-edge Photorealistic Rendering technology/software** benefitted interior/product/architectural designers worldwide.

* fulfilling my lifetime dream of **creating breathtaking Visual Effects for feature films** including _Gravity, Blade Runners 2049_, winning **Oscar/BAFTA awards for Best Visual Effects**.

My life course then changed completely after I experienced tremendous breastfeeding challenges. My struggles are sadly common: the UK has _the worst_ breastfeeding rate globally; 90% women give up breastfeeding before they want to, due to lack of health professional support(57%), pain, health issues(55.8%), and feeling of isolation/depression(46.1%). My experience drove me to found LatchAid and use my expertise in technology to revolutionise breastfeeding support.

LatchAid is a tech start-up, developing the world's only breastfeeding support app that provides: * **cutting-edge 3D/AR interactive technology** to help women interactively/immersively learn breastfeeding skills

* **AI-powered virtual breastfeeding support groups** enabling users to access high-quality peer-to-peer/professional support 24/7

* **AI-powered, personalised virtual supporter/companion** (with customisable personas/characteristics), able to intelligently identify the user's needs and provide bespoke breastfeeding/early-parenthood support

Through this award, I will focus on expanding/enhancing our R&D in these game-changing areas, launching LatchAid on the AppStore, and building partnerships with healthcare organisations to deliver personalised, accessible, 24/7 digital breastfeeding support/education/communities at scale. Since founded in 2018, LatchAid has:

* raised £100,000+ competitive awards/grants from funders including Innovate UK and EU to accelerate app R&D.

* expanded to a core team-of-5, a contracting team-of-30+ across 4 continents, and a multidisciplinary team of advisors, partners, and volunteers. * attracted Beta users across 6 continents, commending LatchAid app as a much-needed, revolutionary innovation.

* built strong networks of connections with breastfeeding/healthcare organisations and experts nationally/internationally

The next 12-months will see the most exciting/critical development for LatchAid, with the app launch, B2C (UK/global) market expansion, B2B partnership building, and investment raising, when the injected funding/support will add the most value to LatchAid's growth and impacts.

**The award will be life-changing for me** to focus on LatchAid and strengthen my leadership, entrepreneurial skills. It will enable me, through LatchAid, to transform digital breastfeeding support and deliver maximum social/environmental/economic impacts, all of which is especially needed in the post-COVID world.