25k Award
An annual competition that honours the vision, hardwork and preseverance that transform ideas and technologies into products or services.
Innovation is a key driver for economic success. Northern Ireland has a distinguished track record of successfully bringing innovation to the market place in fields as diverse as textiles, electronics, computer software and aerospace. Leading edge knowledge exists in our two universities. The Entrepreneurship Award is designed to encourage students and researchers from our two universities and the Health Service to act on their talents, ideas and energy to produce tomorrow's leading firms. The competition provides individuals and teams who enter with invaluable resources in the following areas crucial to successful entrepreneurship:
- Networks of investors and potential partners
- Mentoring by successful and seasoned professionals
- Education in specific business planning skills as well as general entrepreneurial insight
- Team building opportunities to create a winning team of founders
- Assistance with funding to help start the ventures of winning teams in the competition
For interviews with Eddie O'Gorman and teams ORTHOCORP and AUDIOSlalom, click on the link below:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00d7jrq
2008 £25k AWARDS FINALISTS… AT A GLANCE
The 10 finalists are drawn from across four separate categories. These are:
HiTech:
· Affyon Networks - an innovative microchip deployed within internet infrastructure which replaces PC’s software security tools [QUB].
· AUDIOSlalom - offers a convenient slalom training aid on any body of water without need for the expensive installation of a slalom course [UU].
BioTech:
· Omega –provides increased protection of patient’s airway during anaesthesia by preventing stomach inflation and possible regurgitation [QUB / Belfast Trust].
· Orthocorp – technology for manufacturing bone substitute structures that could contribute in treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis [QUB].
· Proteocypher – assesses biopsy samples from patients with a range of autoimmune diseases, so that use of high cost drugs can be rationalised [QUB / Ulster].
· Transtow – manufactures Retract-a-Seat seating systems which facilitate the travel of wheelchair users on public transport, and eliminating the need for 24 hour notice [QUB - Undergrad team].
CleanTECH:
· Aquasere – new approach to creating super water repellent materials [QUB].
· Clean Tech Global – creating solar disinfection device for drinking water [UU].
Digital Media:
· Disability Heroes - offering innovative E-Learning Tools to enhance disability awareness [UU].
· The Big Word Project - the project employs viral marketing to spread word about a product or project. It is a new and innovative way of promoting your website [UU].
For a full description of each of the ten finalists, please click on the link below:
Top 10 team bios1.pdf
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR THE CATEGORY DEFINITIONS:
25k category definitions_0001.pdf
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION FROM THE 25K ROADSHOW:
25K_award_2008_roadshow.ppt