Equitech Futures names five finalists for the 2026 Kevin Xu Innovation Challenge

Oxford, United Kingdom - Equitech Futures today announced the five finalists for the 2026 Kevin Xu Innovation Challenge. Selected from a group of 13 semi-finalists, the teams have spent recent weeks testing assumptions, gathering evidence and refining early-stage, AI-powered ventures designed to strengthen human agency. 

The finalists will present their ventures to a judging panel at the Rhodes Forum on Technology & Society in Oxford on November 7, 2026.

This year's challenge asks: "How might we design AI systems that deepen creativity, cooperation, curiosity, and care as they become part of everyday life?" The five finalists respond with practical ideas spanning healthcare administration, disability access, clinical-trial operations, personal health and constructive civic dialogue.

Meet the 2026 finalists

Together for Tomorrow - Hameeda Syed

Equitech Scholar

Together for Tomorrow is an AI-powered practice tool, grounded in community dialogue work, that helps people build the skills to navigate political disagreement and reduce polarization. The team launched in South Asia and early user tests show 78% of participants reported greater confidence initiating difficult conversations, alongside qualitative evidence of participants feeling more capable of navigating disagreement.

Auxo Health - Atreya Manaswi and Shaurya Sharma

Rise Fellow

Auxo Health is an AI co-pilot that helps independent musculoskeletal clinics address the insurance paperwork burden driving doctors out of independent practice. The platform drafts claims, appeals and prior authorizations, with mandatory human approval for every consequential action. Launching in the US, they currently have 3 active pilot locations using Auxo Health with 20+ more actively in the pipeline. 

Lend a Hand - Dr. Melikte Paulos Weldetensaye, Dr. Yonathan Ayenew and Dr. Elisabeth Equbay

Atlantic Fellow

Lend a Hand matches people with disabilities to vetted volunteers for one-off support such as getting to medical appointments, sitting exams and attending job interviews. The free platform uses AI to match people by skills, proximity and availability, with safeguards that include background checks, training and feedback after each task. Launching in Ethiopia, the team is building on their extensive experience working with in the region to improve access to health and education for people with disabilities.

Selv - Laura Wegner

Rhodes Scholar

Selv is a personal-health AI that runs single-patient "N-of-1" experiments across a person's wearables, labs and calendar data, giving clinicians a one-page summary of what has changed for that individual patient. The team already has traction with endurance and elite athletes and an active waitlist of hundreds of people trying to access the beta. 

TrialSage - Daliso Zuze

Rhodes Scholar

TrialSage is an AI agent that turns fragmented clinical-trial data systems into a single prioritized action queue for trial coordinators, with a human-approval gate on every regulated action. This founder brings extensive experience in clinical trials and is making the bet that AI will accelerate clinical trial research and can help solve the many coordination problems that arise in an industry that is highly regulated, data intensive, privacy conscious, and time intensive. 

‍

About the Kevin Xu Innovation Challenge

The Kevin Xu Innovation Challenge is presented in partnership with the Rhodes Trust and the Kevin Xu Initiative at the University of Chicago. It invites scholars and fellows across Equitech Futures' partner networks to develop early-stage, AI-powered ventures that strengthen human capability. The challenge combines venture-building workshops, mentorship and a final live pitch at the Rhodes Forum on Technology & Society.

About Equitech Futures

Equitech Futures is a global innovation lab and fellowship network that helps emerging technology leaders build solutions for the public good. Through education, venture support and global partnerships, Equitech Futures equips builders to create more inclusive and human-centered technological futures. www.equitechfutures.com