Ingenuity Impact - National Competition

Ingenuity Impact is a national innovation and entrepreneurship programme that directly addresses the UK’s major social, health and environmental challenges through the creation of impactful start-ups. The programme is inclusive, diverse and accessible for all and supports students, alumni and community members nationally to turn ideas for change into exciting new ventures. Now in its ninth year, the programme is designed to demystify entrepreneurship and support underserved and underrepresented groups to engage by adopting an agile and flexible approach.

First place: Inclus

Project:

Inclus is an inclusive design consultancy committed to creating a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable world for everybody through better product design.

Inclus believes in helping to create a world of equality and accessibility through our design work. It wants to empower organisations to be more inclusive and create products that empower those from social minority groups. It aims to collaborate with partners who also share its values so to create a more inclusive future for all.

Students:

Robert McKinna – Industrial Design and Technology

Also pictured: EIBF President, David Falzani MBE (left)

Awarded: £1,500

Second place: RenoTip

Project:

RenoTip is a labtech business tackling the issue of high single use plastic utilisation in the life science industry. RenoTip does this through their device that creates a circular economy that makes single use plastic pipette tips reusable.

Their main offering is the RenoTip® device – an all-in-one benchtop offering that leverages the power of reutilisation to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic pipette tips in real time. The device has been conceptualised to fit seamlessly into the existing laboratory workflow so as to deliver plastic savings without a compromise to the end-user.

Students:

Rui Silva – Biochemistry

Also pictured: EIBF President, David Falzani MBE (left)

Awarded: £1,000

Third place: HYGGE

Project:

HYGGE presents an innovative solution for the challenges of the UK’s ageing population. Its approach integrates modern technology, adaptable living spaces, and a supportive environment to support caregivers and improve the lives of the elderly. The modular units offer a quick installation in a caregiver’s garden, providing a safe and comfortable living space for seniors. This model aims to reduce the burden on informal carers and provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional care homes, promoting independence and social interaction for the elderly.

Students:

Max Bateson – Product Design Futures

Also pictured: EIBF President, David Falzani MBE (left)

Awarded: £500

Positive feedback

The Engineers in Business prize fund has been incredibly valuable to the Ingenuity 2024 competition. I am delighted with the outcome of the competition and impact of the programme this year and incredibly proud of our 2024 Changemakers and their commitment to developing businesses focussed on improving health, tackling climate change and building stronger communities. Thank you to our participants, alumni, corporate, community and university partners, mentors, judges, contributors and other valued members of our Ingenuity Programme network.

Claire Mulholland
Senior Business Development and Ingenuity Programme Manager
University of Nottingham