SMART CARE INNOVATION UP FOR NATIONAL AWARD

A new form of smart living designed to transform elderly care has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

HYGGE’s modular, adaptable living spaces can be installed in a carer’s backyard, offering a safe, comfortable and independent environment for elderly individuals who need support but wish to stay close to family.

The design integrates smart technology for remote health monitoring and connects with NHS virtual wards, ensuring coordinated care between family caregivers and healthcare providers.

It’s the brainchild of Bournemouth University Product Design Futures graduate Max Bateson, 24, who participated in the University of Nottingham’s Ingenuity Impact programme, winning an award in their enterprise competition with prizes provided by charity EIBF.

Now, he will compete against nine other talented teams from across the UK in EIBF’s Champion of Champions Competition.

Max, who is from Maidenhead, said: “HYGGE was inspired by my personal experience when my grandmother, who suffers from dementia, moved into my parents’ home, putting a significant emotional, financial, and psychological strain on our family.

“Watching her lose her independence and seeing my parents struggle as informal carers, I realised the urgent need for a solution that could keep dependents close to their loved ones without compromising their dignity or overwhelming the caregivers. Traditional nursing homes were not an option due to their high costs, negative reputations, and the isolation they impose on residents.”

Max says HYGGE provides the country with opportunities to reduce caregiver stress, ease the burden on public health systems and provide a better quality of life for families.

The Champion of Champions grand final will take place at the Royal Academy of Engineering on Friday 8 November, where the HYGGE team will compete for a share of the £16,500 prize pot, providing vital seed money to help winners develop their innovation.

Winners will also receive mentoring from business leaders who are members of the Sainsbury Management Fellows network, plus CV packages from PurpleCV and entrepreneurial books from Cambridge University Press and Double your Price, an award-winning book by David Falzani MBE, which covers how pricing works with practical insights, tools and actionable guidance.

The event, hosted by TV presenter and engineer Rob Bell, is the culmination of a year of EIBF-sponsored enterprise competitions held across UK universities, with thousands of undergraduate and graduates taking part.

Each year, EIBF champions business education for engineers and supports universities by giving them grants to award prizes to engineering students who develop ideas that can make a positive impact on society.

On being shortlisted for the grand final, Max said: “It provides an incredible platform to showcase HYGGE on a larger stage, bringing attention to the critical issue of elderly care. This competition not only validates the hard work and dedication I’ve put into HYGGE but also connects me with like-minded entrepreneurs, potential investors, and mentors who can support the next phase of HYGGE’s growth.

“For student and graduate engineers, understanding business skills is crucial because it bridges the gap between innovative ideas and practical implementation. Engineers are often at the forefront of solving complex problems, but without business acumen, they may struggle to turn their solutions into viable products or services. Learning business skills such as market analysis, financial planning, and strategic partnerships enables engineers to commercialize their innovations effectively, secure funding, and scale their impact. Business skills empower engineers to not only create but also sustain and grow their ventures, ultimately making a more significant contribution to society.”

Claire Mulholland, Director of Ingenuity Impact, said: “We are delighted to hear the news of Max’s success progressing onto the Champion of Champions Competition – such an inspiring entrepreneur with impact at the heart of his idea. We wish him every success with this next pitch and I am pleased Ingenuity Impact could help kickstart this exciting journey for HYGGE.”