A global data scientist and Birmingham City University computing alumnus has launched a new app which promises to deliver everyday food essentials at retail prices to residents in the city in just 20 minutes. 

Convenience shopping service BSKET, the brainchild of Computing and Electronic Engineering graduate and city native Aaron Bedward, is now rolled out across central Birmingham using a lean operating model, distributed fulfilment centres, machine learning and artificial intelligence. App users can easily find and select everyday essentials, such as food and sundries, at retail prices to add to their BSKET and have them delivered to their door in just 20 minutes. 

Throughout the Alpha test, the BSKET team will trial exciting new features and continually hone the technology and operating model, all in preparation for a full, Birmingham-wide rollout, to come later in 2021. The Alpha test, which runs through to February 3, targets those with mobility or accessibility needs, as well as shift workers and busy professionals.

After graduating from Birmingham City University in 2007, BSKET CEO Aaron Bedward spent half a decade running teams of data scientists and analysts in 14 countries across Asia-Pacific, and has taken his experiences of convenience technology in places like Japan and Singapore and applied them to the new service. 

Founder and CEO, Aaron, said: “We’re bringing BSKET to central Birmingham first, because I’m from here and I love this city – but also because it’s the perfect testing ground for a brand-new service. Our aim, following a successful Alpha, is to bring employment to the city, with fully staffed and distributed fulfilment centres in key areas across Birmingham in 2021, plus teams of delivery drivers to bring true convenience to the city.” 

The BSKET app is available through Google Play on Android and the App Store on iOS.