LANGUAGE COACHING APP DESIGNED IN DUNDEE SCOOPS PRIZE

An AI-powered language coaching app designed in Dundee picked up a £500 prize at a set of prestigious national awards.

Leximos helps users build confidence and improved speaking skills through personalised, scenario-based mock interviews and real-life conversational practice.

Unlike traditional language learning tools that focus on grammar, Leximos tackles the challenges of real-world communication.

The platform, which has been designed by three University of Dundee students specifically for international students, took home at a prize at the recent Venture enterprise competition, part funded by charity EIBF.

And on Friday 8 November, it won the Social Media Prize at EIBF’s Champion of Champions Competition held at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London.

The team comprises Sayed Murad, 29, Parisa Pourmohammad, 25, and Danyl Kecha, 20.

The event, hosted by TV presenter and engineer Rob Bell, was 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.

Sayed said: “We really much enjoyed our time being there amongst top startups, talking to founders, we are thankful to EIBF for making this happen.

“By simulating professional and social interactions, Leximos enables users to practice in relevant, real-life scenarios, empowering them to express themselves confidently in interviews, networking events, and daily conversations. This innovation offers international students the practical skills needed to succeed in both personal and professional settings.”

Brian McNicoll, Head of Entrepreneurship at University of Dundee, said: “Leximos is addressing a validated market with real customer need, and which has true social worth, something we try to install into all our budding entrepreneurs. We believe there is a ‘David and Goliath’ opportunity here in terms of the larger competitors Leximos will be up against.

“The key differentiator will be their tailored and structured approach of delivering language learning to targeted groups. Having just been named most entrepreneurial university in Europe in the ACEEU Triple E Awards, we are delighted to see Leximos progress to the EIBF grand final as another example of the innovative and business focussed graduates that are emanating from the University of Dundee.”