The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is committed to cultivating entrepreneurship and innovation within the global engineering community. This year, the University of Sheffield hosted a local pitch competition, organized by a group of enterprising students and research assistants from various departments. The event showcased the creativity and ingenuity of budding entrepreneurs in the engineering field.
In the lead-up to the pitch competition, the organizing team, consisting of local IEEE Entrepreneurship ambassadors and students, conducted a series of tutorials on entrepreneurship. These sessions, attended by around 80 students, provided valuable insights into crafting compelling pitch decks, building business networks, and navigating the challenges of the startup landscape. The tutorials also featured guest speakers from innovative startups, who shared their wisdom on effective communication and fundraising strategies.
On the day of the event, seven teams of engineering students presented their entrepreneurial ideas to a diverse audience of undergraduate and postgraduate students from various departments. The pitches showcased a range of innovative solutions, from addressing the environmental and health impacts of vaping to developing a real-time exercise monitoring system for physiotherapy recovery.
The judging panel, comprised of esteemed professionals from the business and technology sectors, had the daunting task of selecting the winning teams. After much deliberation, the top three teams were awarded cash prizes and the opportunity to represent the University of Sheffield at the regional finals, competing against teams from across Europe.
The winning team, Xtract, impressed the judges with their innovative approach to addressing the environmental and health impacts of vaping. Their project involved disassembling vapes and recycling their components, highlighting the team’s commitment to sustainability. Following closely behind was MoveCritic, whose real-time exercise monitoring system for physiotherapy recovery earned them second place. Rounding out the top three was ToolOS, with their streamlined mobile operating system designed to enhance productivity and repurpose old Android devices.
The success of the event would not have been possible without the support of the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, and the University of Sheffield’s Commercialisation Office, who provided financial support and sponsorship for the event. Their contribution ensured that the entrepreneurship event was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on the participating students.
In the words of Rea Nkhumise, an IEEE Entrepreneurship Ambassador, the event exceeded all expectations, with students demonstrating a remarkable level of enthusiasm for entrepreneurship. The local pitch competition not only showcased the talent and innovation of young engineers but also served as a testament to the University of Sheffield’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
As the winning teams gear up for the regional finals, it is evident that the future of entrepreneurship is bright at the University of Sheffield. The event has not only inspired the participating students but has also paved the way for a new wave of entrepreneurial talent to emerge within the engineering community.