University of the Highlands and Islands Business Competition

Project:

The Best Engineer Award was won by Calum Macdonald, BEng (Hons) Energy Engineering Student at UHI Outer Hebrides – £1,000 Engineers in Business Prize. Calum (right) was presented with his award by Sainsbury Management Fellow, Graham Hastie, Managing Director at Bellfield Consulting.

Calum’s idea is for a small modular vertical farming unit that integrates sensors and is standalone but can integrate with other units.  The aim is to produce an affordable system for enthusiasts and commercial growers alike in rural and urban areas with an emphasis on flexibility.

The business is built around the supply of these units, sensors, seeds, and consultation. Calum said: “Rising food costs and supply chain issues meant that issues of self-sufficiency had been on my mind. I live on Lewis, where we exist at the end of the supply chain and yet most of our food is shipped from the mainland.

“I thought it was crazy that most of our food is shipped over on a ferry daily and there have been countless times when a sailing could not go ahead, and shelves were laid bare. Equally, from an environmental perspective, the ferry goes through an enormous amount of marine diesel, so the carbon cost associated with this food must be huge.  I’ve seen lots of YouTube videos on vertical farming and how keen individuals had built setups for themselves and increasing numbers of companies were trying to develop an economical business model for this space. “I am pleased and excited to win an award! I didn’t expect to win but it will help me in several ways.  I’m looking forward to capitalising on the forward momentum this brings and moving forward in my own life.”

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The runner-up prize winner was Anna Renouf, who studied engineering at UHI – £1,000 Engineers in Business Prize. Anna was presented with her award by Judge Mairi MacDonald

FireHorse is a forward-thinking waste management company looking to develop a sustainable and renewable biomass briquette. Anna is looking to tackle the growing problems of horse waste management and heating our homes from renewable, cost-efficient, and sustainable sources.

Project:

The third EIB prize was awarded to Rebecca Wallace, an Aircraft Engineering Student at Perth College UHI – £1,000 Engineers in Business Prize. Rebecca was presented with her award by Judge Samantha Cribb.

Rebecca’s idea is for a ‘smart’ jumper to help tackle the domestic violence crisis. Any physical abuse directed towards a victim could be detected by the technology within the jumper and the data stored securely.

Rebecca explained: “I have made a new product using a sensor called ‘velostat’. It can detect forces/pressure and due to its flexibility, thinness and lightweight, it’s ideal for clothing. By placing it into a jumper, if anyone is subject to physical abuse or any non-consensual contact – the jumper can send data instantly through a tiny Bluetooth or WiFi module within the jumper. This can then be used as evidence where previously there may have been none. It would be targeted at domestic abuse victims who have made complaints, but no other evidence was available to take a case forward.

“My mum started up a social enterprise, so I’ve been inspired by her work and success, but really wanted to do something to support the domestic violence crisis. Waiting for politicians to change something was taking too long. I want to help now.

“The UHI Business Competition challenged me to think about the product in detail and make a prototype. To be told I was a finalist injected confidence in my idea/product. The awards evening was fun and it was inspiring to hear from other finalists and those presenting. I was honoured. I now have the confidence and ambition to take the idea forward.”