Loughborough University has an exceptional track record of fostering innovation and enjoyed outstanding success at the LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards (24 February) – receiving nine awards, including seven of the 10 categories as well as the overall Innovator of the Year and a Special Recognition Award.
The winners – all based on the University’s Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) – represent impactful research, academic spinouts, graduate start-ups and technology businesses launched on campus.
Nemaura Medical claimed the Innovation in Med Tech and Life Sciences Award and was named Innovator of the Year for its industry-first daily-wear non-invasive Continuous Glucose Monitoring technology which could revolutionise the management of Type 2 diabetes.
Winner of the Judges’ Special Recognition Award was RECOVER Foster+Freeman. Developed from the University’s Chemistry research – in partnership with the Government and global forensic manufacturer Foster+Freeman – the novel fingerprint development system is transforming forensic science.
Intelligent Energy was the winner of the Innovation in Technology category. A fuel cell global leader, the company’s sustainable technology has been successfully deployed across the transport, logistics, construction, and communication sectors.
Winner of the Innovation in Manufacturing and Engineering Award was Zayndu. The spinout’s unique equipment kills bacteria and fungi on seeds without the use of pesticides – helping to increase agricultural yield at low cost.
Spinout Figura Analytics won the Innovation in Food and Drink Manufacturing Award. Its testing technology enables drinks manufacturers to rapidly screen for contaminants – helping them to deliver quality and consistency.
Wearable sports technology start-up INCUS Performance received the Innovation in Health and Wellbeing Award. Founded by alumnus Chris Ruddock, INCUS employs 20 people, including several Loughborough graduates.
Two of the winners are current or past members of the University’s incubator, LU Inc. – a community of academic and graduate entrepreneurs as well as founders from further afield.
The University Student Innovation Award was won by ACT Medical founded by Joseph Bentley to accelerate the development of his device to reduce catastrophic blood loss from a knife wound.
Graduate social enterprise Tanzii TV was winner of the Innovation in Education Award. Established by brothers Ottavio and Dario Tanzillo to inspire and encourage children to stay active – to date, Tanzii TV has engaged more than one million young people.
Professor Claudia Eberlein – the University’s Enterprise Lead and Dean of Science – commented:
“It was a great honour for me to attend the LeicestershireLive Innovation Award ceremony on behalf of the University. “I am delighted that so many of the awards recognised achievements from across our extensive portfolio. Ambitious research and significant innovation as well as a rich eco-system for their cross-fertilisation and continued growth are part of our core objectives.”