Starting A Business

The Starting a Business competition was the culmination of nine weeks of learning through lectures and practical workshop sessions, offered to University of Warwick engineering students. The final business ideas presented were from a diverse group of engineering students from myriad engineering disciplines with each group including four or five members. A diversity of ideas were presented ranging from ride sharing to addressing devastation due to wildfires.

JOINT FIRST PLACE: FLORERA

Project:

Florere (Latin - 'to flourish') is a wellness business that harnesses the power of plants to enhance mental and physical wellbeing in urban environments. 

With research showing that indoor greenery reduces stress, improves air quality, and boosts productivity, Florere makes plant ownership effortless and accessible for busy city dwellers. The team's smart plant subscription service delivers curated plant kits complete with seeds or live plants, eco-friendly planters, and an optional smart soil monitor. 

Paired with an AI-powered app, Florere provides personalised plant recommendations, automated care reminders, and real-time plant health tracking, ensuring plants thrive with minimal effort. More than just a service, Florere fosters a community of plant lovers, offering growth tracking, challenges, and expert advice. Rooted in sustainability and accessibility, Florere empowers individuals to integrate nature into their lives, helping them and their plants flourish.

Students:

  • Mohamed Jawad Walji - Mechanical Engineering
  • Adrian Castillero Garcia - Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
  • Evan Moriarty - Mechanical Engineering
  • Haoxuan Wang - Computer Systems Engineering
  • Monty Arris - Engineering Business Management

Awarded: £1,500

JOINT FIRST PLACE: AQUASENTINEL

Project:

AquaSentinel is a one-time-purchase consumer firefighting installation for use on residential properties, for new developments and as an aftermarket installation. 

The system uses flame-detecting cameras and local wildfire data to detect if the property is at risk of fire/wildfire spread. Once detected, the system douses the property in biodegradable firefighting foam and water, saturating the property to minimise damage. Sprinklers may be installed on fences, lawns and roofs. The accompanying app allows for remote sprinkler control and local wildfire news. AquaSentinel will provide warranty and repair services for its products. 

Students:

  • Ryan Zhang - Computer Systems Engineering
  • Andreas Michael - Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering
  • Akhil Patel - Mechanical Engineering
  • Luqmaan Finiin - Systems Engineering
  • Ismaeel Tayyab - Mechanical Engineering

Awarded: £1,500

POSITIVE FEEDBACK

"While EIBF prize money is a welcome and encouraging financial incentive, the value of the competition is much more in terms of an opportunity for our students to learn how to pitch to a panel of seasoned potential investors (including Sainsbury Management Fellows) and at the same time get detailed feedback on the potential of their business ideas. This mentoring is much more valuable than the actual prize money! Many thanks to EIBF for its continued focus on encouraging entrepreneurship amongst engineers!"

Ketan Goswami 
Assistant Professor 
Warwick Business School