An app created to help make everyday life more accessible for disabled people has been named one of TIME Magazine's Best Inventions of 2026.
Snowball, founded by DMU Journalism graduate Simon Sansome, has received international recognition for helping people discover and share information about accessible places, with nearly 100,000 locations now listed around the world.
Simon developed his business with support from DMU's Crucible business incubation programme, working for over a year to grow his business and take it to the next level.
Now Snowball has earned a place on TIME's prestigious annual list of inventions, which celebrates innovations making a difference to people's lives.
"To be named one of TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2026 is absolutely extraordinary," said Simon. "To see Snowball featured in one of the most recognised magazines in the world is something I could only have dreamed of when I was studying journalism at De Montfort University.
"When I started at DMU, I never imagined that one day I would create the world’s largest disability accessibility app, receive offers from all five Dragons on Dragons’ Den, work with Google and now have our work recognised by TIME Magazine.
"What makes this achievement even more special is that Snowball was born out of my own experiences as a wheelchair user. I wanted to create something that would genuinely change people’s lives and give disabled people the confidence and freedom to go wherever they wanted.
"DMU and Crucible played an important part in my journey, helping me develop the confidence, communication skills and determination to turn an idea into something that is now making an impact around the world.
"I hope this recognition inspires other DMU students, particularly those living with disabilities, to believe that anything is possible. If a former journalism student from Leicester can go on to be recognised by TIME Magazine for one of the world’s best inventions, then who knows what the next generation of DMU students can achieve?
"This isn’t just a proud moment for me or Snowball. It’s a proud moment for everyone who believes that innovation can make the world a better and more inclusive place.
"And the most exciting thing? We’re only just getting started.”
In its feature, TIME highlights how Snowball uses people's real-life experiences to give disabled and neurodivergent users a clearer picture of whether venues will meet their individual needs.
Snowball allows users to review everything from accessible toilets and parking to lighting, noise levels and quiet spaces.
As Simon told TIME: "Accessibility is personal. A checklist can tell you what facilities exist; lived experience tells you whether they actually work."
The idea for Snowball came from Simon's own experiences following a life-changing injury which left him using a wheelchair.
After discovering that places he had previously visited were no longer accessible to him, Simon began campaigning for better information about accessibility.
While studying Journalism at DMU, he established an online community where disabled people could share their experiences of visiting businesses and public spaces. This eventually evolved into Snowball.
As part of the Crucible programme, Simon was able to draw on the expertise of experienced entrepreneurs and business specialists, helping him develop Snowball and explore opportunities for growth.
His determination and commitment to improving accessibility have since helped take Snowball from a Leicester-based idea to an internationally recognised platform.
In 2023, Simon won the national Santander X entrepreneurship competition, securing a £25,000 package of funding and business support after beating more than 1,500 applicants. He subsequently secured third place in the global finals in Barcelona.
He also made headlines following an appearance on BBC One's Dragons' Den, where all five Dragons offered to invest in Snowball.
The latest recognition from TIME marks another extraordinary milestone and comes as Simon looks to expand Snowball into the United States, bringing its accessibility information to millions more people.
From an idea to help disabled people in Leicester to recognition on the global stage, Simon's journey demonstrates how entrepreneurial determination, combined with the right support, can help turn a personal experience into an innovation with worldwide potential.
His success is also an example of the impact of DMU's Crucible programme, which supports graduate entrepreneurs to develop businesses capable of making a difference beyond the university.
Through mentoring, specialist workshops and practical business support, Crucible helps entrepreneurs develop their ideas, build their confidence and take the next steps towards commercial success.
Percy Emmett, director of Crucible, said: “I’m so, so proud of Simon and all that he has achieved. We worked closely with Simon and what always stood out was his passion for making a genuine difference to people's lives.
"To see Snowball recognised by TIME as one of the best inventions of 2026 is an extraordinary achievement, and everyone involved in supporting Simon through Crucible will be immensely proud.
"This is exactly why programmes like Crucible matter. We help entrepreneurs develop their ideas and ambitions, but it's people like Simon who take those opportunities and achieve something remarkable."
Posted on Friday 16 October 2026