Andrew is away! Keep your fingers crossed for fair winds over the next few days while he gains distance from the treacherous shoreline

I can hardly believe that I'm writing this... Andrew Bedwell has finally set off on his 3-month world-record breaking trip across the Atlantic! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w3jgqj0nno

Andrew alongside his tow boat

Andrew's boat Big C was towed out of Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, and then he set off on an almost unimaginable journey of a lifetime.

You can read all about our connection to Andrew and Big C including the apps we have built so that he can send updates from the boat and everyone can follow his progress.  We have used AI development tools and Alpha TransForm to build the apps.

Scan this QR code to view our web app https://big-c-atlantic-challenge.app and follow Andrew's progress! 

Scan and register to follow Andrew's progress - https://big-c-atlantic-challenge.app

Robin's week in Newfoundland is over - Big C is now ready and waiting only for the right winds and tide

They say a watched kettle never boils.  At the end of Robin's week working and helping Andrew Bedwell prepare his tiny boat "Big C v2" to cross the Atlantic, it was starting to feel like a watched boat would never sail, either!  The wind never behaved and so the week was spent preparing the boat and testing equipment, not watching Andrew head off east.

Petty Harbour with Big C V2's crate

The first logistical challenge was to find Big C.  The logistics company knew that the boat was in Newfoundland, but not exactly where and so it took half the week to get the boat (still in its packing crate) to the quayside at Petty Harbour.  The boat then had to be uncrated, and hauled upright so that Andrew could continue to fit and test equipment inside.

Andrew starting the uncrating

Heave! We got it upright thanks to the help of several locals

Andrew could set of now at any time - he just needs a few days of the wind being in his favour.  Please do support him if you can (scan the QR code - easy) and donate, too.  Cancer Research is such an important charity - thanks for all your support and encouragement.

Scan to register your support

By the way, we built the Big C Atlantic Challenge app for Andrew as part of our sponsorship.  Could we build an app for you?  While Andrew is on his 90+ day journey, he will be using Alpha TransForm to send updates and receive messages from home.  At Start Software, we are expects in all things Alpha - take a look at our website to find out more: https://alpha-software-specialists.com/

And finally... this is the food that Andrew will be eating each and every day for 90+ days... minced up beefy jerky, raisins and fat.  It's calorie-packed and will also help to line and insulate the boat through the coldest seas.  And, yes, Robin did try it...

Imagine eating this for 90 days!

Only a week to go - Andrew & Robin meet to check his satellite phone and Big C Atlantic Challenge app

With only a week to go before his world record-attempting Atlantic crossing, it is all feeling very real for adventurer Andrew Bedwell.  He's planning to set off from St John's, Newfoundland to sail across the ocean back to the UK in a tiny boat, completely unsupported.  That's 90+ days of being alone in something not much bigger than a wheelie bin (see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w3jgqj0nno).

Andrew thinking about the challenges that lie ahead

Start Software is sponsoring Andrew as he tries to bring the record back to the UK and raise money for Cancer Research along the way.  Several of the Start team have been affected by cancer, and so this is a cause very close to our hearts.

Our director Robin met Andrew at the Anderton Boat Lift visitor centre yesterday to check his tech and the app we have built for him and his followers: https://big-c-atlantic-challenge.app/

Andrew & Robin with the satellite link on the desk

Andrew will be sending messages back to the Start team so that the app can be updated.  He'll be using the Alpha TransForm app which is tuned for low data bandwidth environments: https://www.alphasoftware.com/alpha-transform-overview.

Alpha TransForm in action

Please do register to follow Andrew's incredible voyage and to learn more about him and his endurance and determination.  You can go to https://big-c-atlantic-challenge.app/ on your laptop, or scan this QR code on your phone:

Scan this on your phone to register your support

PS Robin will be flying out to St John's at the weekend to help Andrew prepare to sail - watch out for updates then

Fun webinar with the Alpha TransForm team and Big C's Andrew Bedwell! Watch us build TransForm offline-capable data capture forms live for Andrew to use while mid-Atlantic

Big C's Andrew Bedwell & Start Software's director Robin joined Alpha TransForm's Dave & Scott on Wednesday in a live 30-minute webinar.  It had been a busy day for Andrew, following a BBC interview earlier in the day: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w3jgqj0nno

Mid-webinar talking about apps, data & power mid-Atlantic

The conversation was a lot of fun covering every topic from how Start Software builds apps and offline-capable forms to the likelihood of Andrew seeing mermaids on his world-record-attempting crossing...

Our Big C Atlantic Challenge app is now live and you can register by using this QR code:

Alpha Software Specialists Start Software is sponsoring the World Record attempt, helping Andrew to raise money for Cancer Research.  A number of the Start Software team are (and have been) affected by cancer, so this is a cause close to our hearts.

For more information, please do click these links:

• Big C Atlantic Challenge

• The app at https://big-c-atlantic-challenge.app

• The World Record Attempt

• Start Software's support for the Big C Atlantic Challenge

• The Cancer Research donation page

You can watch the webinar here, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vDgeyaLJa4 - and please Like and Share with your friends!

Remember - if you need help with Alpha TransForm or want us to create offline-capable data capture forms for your business, we're here to help: https://alpha-software-specialists.com/

Join adventurer Andrew Bedwell and Robin talking about apps and the Big C Atlantic Challenge on the Alpha Software webinar

Andrew Bedwell (from the Big C Atlantic Challenge) will be joining the Alpha Software Wednesday Webinar on 22 April.  Andrew will be talking to Alpha Software's Dave McCormick and Start Software's Robin Bennett to discuss the challenge of sending data live from a 3ft (yes, 1m long!) boat as he attempts to break the world record for the shortest boat to cross the Atlantic unaided.

Start Software is the lead sponsor for Andrew's world record attempt

Andrew & Robin will be creating Alpha TransForm forms live in the webinar which will be used by Andrew to collect and send data during his crossing.

In advance, why not register to follow Andrew's journey on our web app at https://big-c-atlantic-challenge.app - it's free!

Big C V2 is on the move! Andrew's boat is being crated up ready for shipping

It's a big day for adventurer Andrew Bedwell and his amazing Big C Atlantic Challenge!

Andrew is packing up Big C and crating it ready for its journey across the Atlantic to Newfoundland on a container ship.  It will arrive in plenty of time for Andrew's launch back to the UK on his world record attempting journey, in May 2026. 

Big C in good hands... please don't drop it!

Our app for Andrew's followers has also hit a milestone today, and it's ready for testing.  Take a look for yourselves, here: https://big-c-atlantic-challenge.app/

Follow and support Andrew via his Facebook page, Big C Atlantic Challenge.

Andrew's (second!) Big C Launch is getting closer!

It's not too long now before adventurer Andrew Bedwell sets off on his incredible cross-Atlantic world record attempting journey.  He's hoping to cross the Atlantic in the shortest boat ever - a tiny vessel only about 1m in length.

Big C Atlantic Challenge Begins

Some of team in our Board Room with Andrew & Gordon joining remotely

Andrew and friend & supporter Gordon joined a Start Software meeting this week to finalise plans for his new app.  The app will available to supporters and will enable followers to:

• track Andrew's progress on a map (over 90+ days!)
• send messages of support
• read Andrew's "Captain's Log"
• see what wildlife Andrew has spotted
• understand the weather and sea conditions
• post ideas for a daily challenge which will help to keep Andrew entertained.

Our director Robin is heading over to St John's in May to help Andrew with his final preparations and to send him off.

The Big C app development team

Follow Andrew on Facebook here!

Big C V2 - Andrew Q&A - Live on YouTube

Adventurer Andrew Bedwell has posted a Q&A on YouTube to help us all understand more about his incredible World Record attempt.  We're Andrew's main sponsors - what great product placement in the video, thank you Andrew!

Thanks for the plug, Andrew, much appreciated!!

Watch Andrew's video by clicking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPCYHfptHOA or watching below.  Our new app for Andrew gets a mention here: https://youtu.be/GPCYHfptHOA?si=Tn6ei_MsYtQO69_g&t=461

Andrew is fundraising for Cancer Research UK.  We have staff here at Start Software dealing with cancer diagnoses right now - so please do sponsor Andrew and help this fabulous charity.  Thank you!

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/big-c-atlantic-challenge

Andrew & Poppy drop in to discuss app ideas for Big C V2

Adventurer Andrew Bedwell and his daughter Poppy dropped into our e-Innovation Centre office today full of ideas for the new Big C V2 app.  The app will be used by Andrew whilst on his 3-month-long transatlantic record-breaking attempt to cross the Atlantic unaided in the shortest boat ever.

Team leader Dan, Andrew & Poppy

 Andrew is fundraising for a charity close to our heart here at Start Software, Cancer Research UK.

Robin, Melika, Dan, Poppy & Andrew

We tested out a new drone while Andrew was here and learned about his plans to take a DJI Mini 4 with him to film Big C V2 during the crossing.  We also discussed the difficulty of landing a drone at sea... and how many plasters he should take if he has to grab it while the propellors are still turning!

Pizza always brings the team together

The whole Start Software development team will be working on the app, aiming to launch it by the end of December.  The app will be for Andrew while he aboard his 1m (yes, 1 meter or 3 feet!) long boat, and also for the public (adults and children) to track his progress and send messages of support.

Poppy enjoying the pepperoni pizza!

Poppy had brought lots of ideas with her from her schoolfriends, following Andrew's talks at school assembly to explain how the challenge will work and why he is inspired to do it.

Feeling inspired?

You can make a donation to support Andrew and Cancer Research UK here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/big-c-atlantic-challenge

Need an app building?

Get in touch! We'd love to hear from you.

Look for out more Big C news on Andrew's Facebook page and here on our blog.

Decked Out with celebs at the Southampton Boat Show: Robin visits to see Andrew Bedwell show Big C V2 to the Boat Show visitors

Saturday was a special day down on the south coast – Robin headed to the Southampton Boat Show to catch up with our friend Andrew Bedwell, the man behind the incredible Big C Atlantic Challenge.

Andrew Bedwell and the amazing Big C V2 - the shortest boat to cross the Atlantic

You’ll remember from our earlier posts how Andrew is preparing to take on the Atlantic in Big C – the world’s smallest yacht designed to make the crossing, all in aid of raising funds for Cancer Research. At the show, Andrew was proudly displaying the boat - covered in our Start Software sponsor logo - to tens of thousands of visitors, and it was brilliant to see so many people inspired (and amazed!) by his story. Andrew’s second attempt to cross the Atlantic in Big C is set for May 2026, and momentum is really building.

As if that wasn’t enough excitement, we also rubbed shoulders with a couple of famous faces:

• Captain Jason Chambers – yes, the Captain Jason from Bravo’s Below Deck Down Under. We couldn’t resist grabbing a quick selfie with Jason and Andrew together (see below!).
  

  

  Robin, Andrew & Capt Jason

• Nick Ogden, founder of WorldPay, and inventor of e-commerce(!!) - generously gave Robin and Andrew a personal tour of his astonishing high-speed vessel, Thunder Child II. Let’s just say it’s the kind of boat that makes jaws drop and hearts race.
  

  

  Andrew with Nick in Thunder Child II

All in all, it was a fantastic day – catching up with Andrew, sharing the story of Big C with new audiences, and meeting some unexpected celebrities along the way. The countdown to Andrew’s record-breaking Atlantic crossing continues, and we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.

The Big C (V2!) is back in the water! Andrew's preparations for his next World Record attempt are going well

Adventurer and friend of Start Software Andrew Bedwell has been video-calling us from his new boat, Big C V2!

Andrew with Big C V2 at Whitehaven, UK

Andrew has rebuilt Big C from scratch using a new design, new materials and a new approach to weight distribution.  It is still tiny - but there is (slightly) more room inside for his navigational aids and for food.

His sea trials at the weekend were a great success and the boat only needs a few minor adjustments in time for his journey to start in May 2026.

We're supporting Andrew right up to the point where he sets off - to break the World Record for the shortest boat to cross the Atlantic (Big C is only 1m long...) he has to be completely unsupported.  That means 3 months at sea eating only the food he can take with him (or catch) and drinking water made by hand-cranking a desalination unit.

Watch this space for more photos, videos and news.

Away Day brings Traction to our software teams

Our Away Day in central Birmingham brought our Start and CTT software leaderships teams together to discuss plans and challenges.

Joining us was the inspirational Ian Groves from Start Tech who brought his passion for the EOS/Traction business development process to us over lunch.

Andrew listening to Ian enthusing about his Traction journey

Dan & Catherine

Mickey & Dan

Might Traction be the next step for Start Software?

Our CTO Jack

Jack, Andrew, Dan

Dan & Catherine

We used "Spaces" at the Lewis Building for our Away Day - recommended

Discussing Support over a coffee

Dan, Jack & Robin studying financial forecasts

Mickey, Catherine, Dan, Andrew

Also - a big thanks to our good friend and inspiration Andrew Bedwell (https://www.facebook.com/p/Big-C-Atlantic-Challenge-100082612007911/?locale=en_GB) for sending us this video!

Big C V2 up-close and personal! Robin & Catherine attend Andrew Bedwell's talk in Cheltenham

Robin & Catherine took their chance on Thursday to see Andrew Bedwell's new boat - Big C V2 - in person.  Andrew was delivering a talk to the Gloucestershire Property Forum in Cheltenham, explaining his love for adventures and the reasons he is trying again to cross the Atlantic ocean in the shortest boat ever.

Andrew is full flow - as inspiring and entertaining as ever

Andrew's presentation being introduced

Start Software are the main sponsors for Big C V2

Robin, Catherine & Andrew

Look at how small the boat is! Imagine spending 90 days in this

Andrew is raising money for cancer research and all donations are welcome: https://www.gofundme.com/f/solo-sailing-world-record

Remember Andrew Bedwell and the "Big C"? He is trying again in May 2025 to break an incredible world record

Andrew Bedwell is one of those people you meet only once or twice in a lifetime.  Fearless, determined, funny, humble and downright bonkers.  A couple of years ago, Andrew attempted to break the world record for the shortest boat ever to cross the Atlantic.  Not the shortest crossing, mind you, the shortest boat - a vessel that's only just about 1m in length.  Smaller than a bathtub!

Well, the first attempt didn't go to plan but Andrew is trying again this May and has spent two years designing and building his second boat - Big C V2.  We're sponsoring Andrew again here at Start Software and helping him to raise funds for his boat and for for cancer charities.

The boat is taking shape, as you can see, and Andrew will soon be taking it for sea trials and finalising his equipment.  We'll be publishing regular updates now that he's closing in on the attempt, so watch this space!

PS in case you're wondering, it's likely to take Andrew 90 days and he will be completely unsupported whilst at sea

Big C V2 is taking shape! Watch how Andrew Bedwell's second record-breaking boat build is taking shape

Adventurer Andrew Bedwell's second attempt at the world record for the shortest boat to cross the Atlantic is taking shape!  

Andrew is calling this "Big C V2" - an all-aluminium re-design of the original Big C boat, learning from the experience Andrew had after his first launch in May 2023.

Andrew is involved in every step of the design and build

It's great to see the Start Software logo on the boat again! We so enjoyed meeting and helping Andrew during attempt #1 (see https://blog.start-software.com/search?q=Big+C), so nothing was going to stop us from being involved this time, too!

Watch videographer Paul Larkin's video here showing the boat build through to the Southampton Boat Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWvfCQY-ZBc

Andrew has a crowdfunding campaign running to help fund the new build.  With only 6 months or so until the second attempt in May 2025, Andrew needs all the help he can muster to complete the build and sea trials.  Please do contribute if you can: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bigcatlanticchallenge

Judge Rinder and Start Software - what's the connection? It's Andrew Bedwell's latest transatlantic record attempt!

Judge Rinder has been checking out Andrew Bedwell's latest boat design for his world-record transatlantic crossing attempt.  Start Software is supporting Andrew again for his May 2025 attempt to cross the Atlantic in the shortest boat, ever!

If you're on Facebook, you can follow Andrew here https://www.facebook.com/Allgoodfun or via his Big C page, too: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082612007911

Lovely surprise! Adventurer Andrew Bedwell drops into our Telford office for a cup of tea

Remember the incredible Andrew Bedwell and his World Record "Big C Challenge" attempt at crossing the Atlantic in the shortest boat ever?  Start Software/Alpha Tracker were key sponsors and we also built an app for Andrew to use on the crossing.

Andrew in our Telford office

Andrew is working towards another crossing attempt in 2025 and just dropped in to see us and let us know how his plans are progressing.  With a new all-aluminium boat design (which is 6cm longer internally - positively spacious!) and even better preparation, we're sure attempt #2 will be successful.

Watch this space! 

The Big C Atlantic Challenge is underway again! Andrew is building his new boat ready for May 2025

We've been in touch with Andrew Bedwell since his first attempt at crossing the Atlantic in the shortest boat ever didn't go to plan.  Andrew's Big C Atlantic Challenge is underway again - what great news!

Our sponsorship of Andrew's incredible challenge helped him to build and equip his first boat, and Andrew is using the knowledge he gained in his new design.  Panels have been designed and laser-cut this week - and the second iteration of his vessel is starting to take shape.

The 3D jigsaw puzzle begins

We'll keep our blog readers updated as the boat takes shape and we hope to visit Andrew's expedition base as soon as the boat is ready to view.

Watch part 2 of the Big C Tracker story with Robin on the Alpha Anywhere Q&A webinar

Alpha Software's weekly Wednesday webinar told the second part of the story of the apps we have been building for Andrew Bedwell's Big C Atlantic Challenge.

Watch the recording of the webinar here!

Can we build an app for your business?  Get in touch!

Andrew's dream is over - for now. Will we see the Big C float again in 2024?

You might have seen Andrew Bedwell's dreadful news on the TV, in newspapers or online.  His Facebook page has 1000s of followers and makes for tough reading, today.  His dream of crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the shortest-ever boat is over for now.  What a shame!

Andrew has been headline news - but not for the right reasons!

We have been supporting and sponsoring Andrew's Big C Atlantic Challenge and are proud to be associated with the project.  We developed software and apps to help Andrew send messages from mid-Atlantic and for his followers worldwide to track his progress.  

Andrew set off a week early, to take advantage of a good weather window, but had to return to shore after developing a small, fixable leak.  However, after leaving the boat overnight in the harbour he returned to find that it had sunk.  When the crane lifted Big C boat out of the water and over the quayside, a component snapped and the boat crashed to the floor, smashing the hull, and Andrew's dreams, into pieces.

It's such a cruel end to the story for this year - the boat simply isn't fixable in time to make the crossing this summer.  We're sending Andrew all our best wishes and hope he rebuilds to have another go in 2024.  We believe in you Andrew and know you can do it.