Meet RGU’s latest cohort of start-up entrepreneurs
For the first time ever, RGU’s accelerator programme has been open to anyone living in the North East of Scotland and, after an intense search with hundreds of applicants, the final teams have now been selected.
This year’s cohort—who will benefit from five months of training, £5,000 in seed funding each, mentorship, and co-working space—include ideas ranging from clean energy technology, blockchain developers, a fire safety device, inclusive mannequins, educational mathematics platforms, vertical farming and much more.
After an intense bootcamp weekend of pitching, the final teams were selected to join the programme starting in February 2022. They will be challenged to test their assumptions, conduct market analysis, evaluate their business models, create financial projections, pitch their concepts and develop their ideas for the grand showcase, which takes place on Thursday 12 May 2022.
Find out more about the programme by heading to our Accelerator page.
The following is a list of the 37 teams and their intentions, providing a glimpse of the possibilities you are able to pursue here at RGU.
49 Swim
Founded by: Ruth Bryce and Robert Bryce
We are creating the first sustainable, high quality and circular swimwear brand for competitive male and female swimmers. We will use recycled materials and provide the option for customers to return old suits to be remade into new products to minimise our impact on the planet.
AIMEL
Founded by: Youcef Ahmanache and Fahmi Bahrini
We are using artificial intelligence and deep learning to digitise complex engineering documents like piping and instrumentation diagrams. Our system will reduce cost and time for organisations and allow users to quickly answer complex engineering queries through our graph database.
BeePods
Founded by: Guy Phillips and Jeremy Adderley
We are designing and manufacturing a unique, outdoor hexagonal building inspired by nature that uses modular components to allow quick and easy assemble on site. We use locally sourced green timbers, and our buildings can be used as home offices, glamping pods, or studios.
Beyond Reality
Founded by: Andrew Hunter and Omar Iqbal
We are creating extended reality content for education, entertainment and enterprise applying virtual and augmented reality technologies. We are also developing unique hardware technology that will allow multiple people to have their full body tracked so that they can to interact in a virtual space at the same time.
CD Corp
Founded by: Ryan Aitken and Murdo McCandlish
We are supporting businesses to utilise blockchain technology to improve their operations through a consultancy service. We have started by providing authentication procedures using non-fungible tokens for high-end whiskey to increase transparency, traceability and reduce counterfeit products.
CP Design Studio
Founded by: Claudia Padula and Luis Ibarra Moreno
We seek to transform homes into spaces that safeguard wellbeing and ensure productivity by allowing customers to test and visualise the design for home renovation projects. We will use immersive 3D interaction, augmented reality, and virtual reality technology to create virtual models of their dream home.
Everybody Counts
Founded by: Andy Ridgway and Judy Hornigold
We are creating a universally applicable maths programme that can be translated into any language and fit into any curriculum through using interactive, practical online content. This gives access to the world leading Singapore maths programme to all children for an affordable price.
EveryBody Mannequins
Founded by: Alina Reiber
We are creating a mannequin brand that creates realistic bodysuits and mannequins that are more inclusive and reflective of the population including diverse body sizes and disabilities. We aim to reduce the negative impacts on mental health due to unrealistic body representation within retail stores.
Frame
Founded by: Reji Jacob
We are developing an integrated platform to connect health-related data from devices such as smart watches, cameras and sensors used by the aging population to track behaviour. We will use artificial intelligence to present a user-friendly dashboard to help the users and their carers make decisions.
Grown Agritech
Founded by: Duarte Carvalho and Vinay Arja
We are building an agriculture technology company specialised in designing, developing, and implementing ready to use indoor food growing systems. We will bring production closer to consumption by using technologies that help grow crops commercially without the use of soil, and in controlled climatic conditions.
H20 Heroes
Founded by: Kairn Mckee, Rosie Payne and Louise Richardson
We are creating an app and companion board game which shall deliver key safety messages starting with beach and water safety in an engaging way using augmented reality, audio messaging, and treasure hunts to produce educational content that can help save lives.
Intelligent Learning Solutions
Founded by: Diane Duguid
We are introducing an educational technology platform to host simple, easy-to-understand, fully interactive digital revision courses in discrete units. We will start with mathematics topics written by qualified teachers and our aim is to bring the concept of an after-school tutor to the digital age.
Jade Elizabeth
Founded by: Jade Duffield
We are assembling a collective of ethical and sustainable fashion designers starting in the North East to manufacture and sell locally sourced and made clothing and accessories. We will use only organic and sustainable materials and our workshops will aim to reduce the culture of fast fashion.
Kitchen Integrated Fire Suppression System
Founded by: Alexandra Spencer and Ashley Barr
We are designing a competitive fire suppression system which is compact, maintenance free and can be fitted and retrofitted into any kitchen. The system will keep customers safe by automatically detecting and responding to a fire and notifying occupants.
Magnitude AI
Founded by: Adinath Ghadage, Rohit Bhimrao Jondhale and Shilraj Kolhe
We are developing an automated insulin injector device for patients suffering from diabetes that can provide real time tracking of blood sugar levels. Our device uses artificial intelligence to analyse the data and inject a safe dose while sending real time updates to the patent and medical staff.
MYLS Blockchain Development
Founded by: Scott Downie and Laura Mylles
We are creating a series of software plug-ins and a consultation service to allow companies in the energy sector to integrate blockchain technology into their existing operations. This technology will improve security, accountability and distribution in our customer’s businesses.
North East Vertical Farming
Founded by: Jordan Devenny and Leon Marwick
We are creating a community-centred vertical farming concept, which seeks to utilise former industrial spaces to grow crops. This method reduces land, water, and energy compared with conventional land farming practices, and will offer the people of the North East the opportunity to manage their own food supply and reduce their own carbon footprint.
Ocean Punks
Founded by: Maria Isabel Ayala Gragera and Cameron Esson
We are curating a digital art collection to combine blockchain technology and the concept of non-fungible tokens with the ethos of sustainability. We will allow investors to purchase artwork from emerging creators whilst contributing to a cause such as the reduction of ocean pollution.
Parameter
Founded by: Erfan ZamaniGoldeh, Theo Dounas and Sonia Beygi
We are building digital marketplace specialising in products with a parametric design where either designer can sell existing products or users can upload their designs. Our technology will convert designs it into components that can be laser cut or 3D printed to be built like a 3D puzzle.
PCOS Buddy
Founded by: Anjula Sandhu
We are developing a mobile app for persons suffering with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) that allows the user to track symptoms. This allows users to measure trends and be better informed on their lifestyle and health behaviours and supports medical professionals in designing and monitoring treatments and reducing the cost of care.
Phorks
Founded by: Jair Detsch and Jonas Detsch
We are creating a platform that matches those who like to cook with guests to provide an alternative to eating out, the opportunity to network and meet new people. The system will allow users to exchange payment and seeks to reducing unhealthy eating and loneliness.
Plantala
Founded by: Natalia Kerr
We are designing and producing cruelty free, environmentally friendly, and ethical apparel and accessories using plant-based materials. We seek to reduce the cycle of fast fashion and reduce the use of toxic chemicals to create beautiful products which are good for our planet.
Project Mareel
Founded by: Hunter Inkster and Ian McDonald
We are developing a platform to connect small and medium sized businesses with debt providers which collates and analyses information, and produces a credit risk proposal to make bank borrowing simpler, fairer and more transparent.
SolSafe
Founded by: Andrew MacLeod, Alasdair Stevenson, Chi Kwan Wong, Graeme Hossack, Kenneth Ritchie and Michele MacLeod
We are developing a zero carbon, smart, plug-in energy storage boiler with patent pending technology that can replace existing oil, coal, and gas boilers. It stores excess energy generated from domestic solar or wind turbines as heat reducing energy waste and cost.
SymBIOsis
Founded by: Jemma Reynolds and Christine Edwards
We are introducing waste management solutions for isolate island communities that will convert, farming, distillery, and brewery waste into biogas. This will create advanced energy solutions and a nutrient rich biofertilizer to reduce the carbon impact for these communities and support their energy independence.
The Habitat People - The Carbon Shop
Founded by: David Hunter
We are creating a local and accessible carbon offsetting ecosystem using wildflower meadows, wetlands, and woodlands to allow individuals and companies to compensate for their emissions. We will offer individuals plots that are ecologically sound, precise and grid referenced in the North East.
TWEFDA
Founded by: Javier Domínguez
We are developing a patent-pending ocean device which can either generate unprecedented levels of tides and waves energy or store energy. The system brings flexibility in managing energy demand and reduce costs, improve access, safety, and efficiency to a decarbonised energy infrastructure.
Two Raccoons
Founded by: Lasse Melgaard Rasmussen and Elliott Martens
We are cultivating an urban winery which turns surplus fruits into limited-edition wines with exciting flavours such as banana, mango, strawberry, and blackcurrant. We will collaborate with food businesses to reduce their food waste while providing a carbon-negative alternative to imported wine.
VENUZA H2
Founded by: Gokulkrishna Radhakrishnan, Ignatius Thomas and Janet Zagah
We are developing an all-in-one system to generate green hydrogen using eco-friendly technologies to give customers energy independence. Our system provides on-site hydrogen production, conversion to electricity and storage to allow customers to be carbon positive.
Wantonwells Farm
Founded by: Beatrice Fettes and Rosie Leagas
We are developing a food centre and community hub to produce natural, affordable and healthy local food and drinks. We will provide kitchens and workspaces, a shop, and a cafe to help reconnect local producers with customers in Aberdeenshire to create a sustainable food ecosystem.
Water to Water
Founded by: Alex Gauntt
We help with projects to create and develop renewable energy through green hydrogen for farms and rural communities. We guide and consult with customers to find solutions that allow them to be energy independent and generate their own heat, transport fuel and electricity.
Wave Energy Converter
Founded by: Ravindran Narayanan
We are designing a unique, compact, and powerful wave energy converter which can be installed either as a standalone unit or as an array with multiple connected devices. We will generate renewable energy from the ocean tides and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels for our energy needs.
yaiLab
Founded by: Darius Roman and Ioannis Antonopoulos
We are developing a no-code platform that allows engineers or scientists to quickly and effortlessly design, build, and deploy artificial intelligence and machine learning models. The platform automates the process using templates and thus eliminates the need for expensive data science teams.
Zephyrus Aerolabs
Founded by: Christopher Solomon, Saurabh Kumar and Christos Vamvakas
We are pioneering a real-time emission monitoring solution using drone technology to measure greenhouse and hazardous gases directly from the source. We will provide accurate and reliable data to support rapid mitigation efforts needed for a sustainable and effective move towards Net Zero.
