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Ingenuity – 2022

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The Ingenuity Programme works with students, graduates and under-represented communities to help create exciting new ventures that can create significant social and environmental impact. The annual programme is designed to find local-but-scalable solutions to build stronger communities, improve health and tackle climate change. Rooted in the University of Nottingham’s commitment to civic entrepreneurship, Ingenuity and its partners provide skills and training, mentoring, networking and funding to early-stage social enterprises. Ingenuity is also open to students and graduates from over 30 UK universities.

First Prize Winner: Mobilaid

Ben Keeble, Physics with Theoretical Physics Graduate receives his award from Elizabeth Smith from Ingenuity – £1,500 Engineers in Business Prize

Ben Keeble, a Witty Entrepreneurial Scholar at the University of Nottingham, first participated in the Ingenuity Programme three years ago to develop something to help his grandfather with his mobility problems.

Through the training and mentoring he has received, Ben has developed Mobiliaid, a seat-raiser product which makes it easier for older people to sit and stand. Having noticed the impact that a lack of socialisation can have on older people’s mental health, Ben wants to make it easier for those struggling with mobility issues to leave the house, giving them back their freedom and a sense of independence. Alongside the EIBF first prize, Ben received a £4,500 grant as one of three East Midlands Champions.

Ben said, “Engineering or more specifically, how things work, has always been one of the things which drive me. My interest in engineering is in solving real-world problems. Ingenuity has shown me how to solve technical problems while being aware of the business potential of the result. I hope this commercially aware engineering and scientific angle will lead to a successful career.”

 

Second Prize Winner: Cilo

Ryan Brown (middle), Architectural Engineering, with busines partner Laurence Collingwood and Elizabeth Smith from Ingenuity – £1,000 Engineers in Business Prize

Ryan Brown developed Cilo with business partner Laurence Collingwood. Cilo is an app designed to empower positive climate action by allowing users to understand the carbon costs of the products they buy, track their carbon spending over time, and find low-effort ways to reduce it.

The app provides a quick and easy way to add spending data and allows users to gain a full understanding of their climate impact. With gamified features, Ryan and Laurence have created an innovative and creative solution to help as many people as possible reduce their carbon footprint by as much as possible. Alongside the EIBF second prize, Ryan received a £4,500 grant as one of three East Midlands Champions.

Third Prize Winner: Buddy

Ahmed Elamin, Computer Science Undergraduate – £500 Engineers in Business Prize

Ahmed Elamin is also a Witty Entrepreneurial Scholar at the University of Nottingham, taking part in Ingenuity in 2022 for the first time. Ahmed is currently developing Buddy, a mobile application that aims to create in-person conversations when they are needed most.

The platform targets early-stage symptoms of isolation, anxiety and depression and provides additional information on alternative methods of support. A ‘serial entrepreneur of the future’, Ahmed is also working with two University of Nottingham students to launch Tayke in September 2022. Tayke is a scalable and impactful technology rental business for low-income students and local residents. Inspired by the ‘Library of Things’ model, Ahmed and his friends will be tackling digital exclusion and ensuring everyone in their local community can access cutting-edge technology.