Dragons’ Den Challenge

The University of York's Dragons' Den Challenge provides undergraduate and postgraduate students from the university's School of Physics, Engineering, and Technology with a platform to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and pitch their business ideas. As part of the Innovation Management module, students worked in teams, conducting extensive research, including market testing, to develop innovative concepts in engineering and technology.

Six teams from this module were then selected to participate in the challenge, funded by EIBF. In this competition, students presented their business ideas to a panel of external judges, covering key aspects such as target market segments, unique selling points, financial requirements, and revenue models. The challenge served as a valuable opportunity for engineering students aspiring to pursue entrepreneurial careers.

FIRST PLACE: I-GROW

Project:

I-GROW is the smart, all-in-one plant care system integrates a smart watering system, sunlight sensor, HD camera for early disease detection and soil mineral analyser all in one compact device to provide accurate houseplant care without human intervention. The calculated watering frequency plan is also automatically updated based on environmental factors such as soil moisture and light levels, and this can be tracked within the I-GROW app. 

The app provides another unique selling point which includes full live-view observability, watering activity log, environmental monitoring with actionable recommendations, growth analytics and tailored care plans that adapt to each plant’s age, species needs and environment. This plant care system will benefit plant owners who find it difficult to look after their plants due to their busy work schedule or if they go away on holidays.

Students:

  • Gabriella Timson – Physics with Astrophysics
  • Debora Mulilo – Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  • Harry Watson – Electronic Engineering
  • Daniel Gorman – Physics

Awarded: £1,500

SECOND PLACE: TEPPISAUBER

Project:

Teppisauber is an innovative carpet solution designed for effective and convenient carpet cleaning. Its unique selling points lie in its integration of advanced technologies and features, including the newly developed DualBrush technology, built-in micro camera and fast charging. It also includes an interactive mini-game for users to enjoy during cleaning. 

Teppisauber is designed for target diverse customer segments, including elderly people, young homeowners and pet owners, addressing all their individual needs for convenience and hygiene. This product is lightweighted and portable, making it accessible to small households. It also features a fast-charging battery; the cleaner can be fully charged in less than an hour. Teppisauber features two opposite rotating brushes which is capable of removing up to 92% of dirt and grease, even tackling the toughest dirt. A built-in micro camera can spot dirt that are invisible to human naked eyes, ensuring a spotless carpet. The accompany of a touch screen enhance the user experience in seeing the view of the micro-camera.

Students:

  • Ricky Xu - Electronic and Computer Engineering
  • Yuqi Liu - Electronic Engineering
  • Thomas Wilkinson - Electronic Engineering
  • Newton Hung - Electronic Engineering with Music Technology Systems
  • Sam Errington - General Engineering

Awarded: £1,000

THIRD PLACE: BIKLOCK

Project:

A large number of bikes are stolen every year in the UK. The constant fear of their bikes being stolen tend to make bike riders shift to other forms of transport. BikLock is designed to mitigate this problem and ultimately put an end to bike theft. It is an advanced bike parking station with high-tech safety features and automation for easy use. With a hydraulic lock system and 24/7 CCTV monitoring, BikLock is the cutting-edge solution for bike safety. 

The product was designed for two customer segments: general bicycle riders (B2C) and, university and organisation (B2B). BikLock has a robust design which locks the critical parts of a bike, the frame and both wheels. Safety is enhanced by using a web application and NFC based lock control system. Additionally, both wheels are locked automatically in 40 seconds. The hardware has a circular design and can be disassembled efficiently for recycling.

Students:

  • Diego Arturo Estevez Zapiain - Engineering Management
  • David Durand - Engineering Management
  • Mohamed Gamal Faiez Mahmoud Elrewiny - Engineering Management
  • Sakulwat Pornpannukul - Engineering Management
  • Mohammed Alsafadi - Engineering Management

Awarded: £500

POSITIVE FEEDBACK

"Working with EIBF was a fantastic experience. The EIBF Prize Fund sparks significant interest among our students, both in the course and the competition, motivating them to engage more deeply by offering a tangible incentive. It helps students recognise the real value of their coursework. In today’s highly competitive job market, students are constantly looking for ways to stand out. Participating in a prestigious university competition like the Dragons’ Den Challenge, and having the opportunity to win a prize, provides a valuable boost to their CV."

Dr Bidyut Baruah
Senior Lecturer in Engineering Management
University of York