The 2024 What’s the Big Idea competition celebrates its finalists and winners!
This year, a £7,000 prize pot was distributed among 10 exceptional student businesses, with categories recognising innovation, social enterprise, climate impact, and more.
Winners of the 2024 competition included:
- Overall Winner: Simon White & Team for Smart Numnah
- Most Innovative Idea: Chetan Hari & Team for Myelo Map
- Best Use of AI in a Business Idea: Michael Loughran & Team for Amnis AI
- Best Idea for a Social Enterprise: Kirsty Graham for The Little Learning Centre
- Best Idea from a Postgraduate Student: Joshua Thompson for Transac
- Best Idea from the MHLS Faculty: Chetan Hari & Team for Myelo Map
- Best Idea from the EPS Faculty: Barry Herron for Proxi Pulse
- Best Idea from AHSS Faculty: Nicole Kaczmarek
- Best Idea from the Creative Industries: Shane McClelland
- Best Climate Impact Idea: Samuel Rowan & Team for Waste 2 Wildlife
The competition, supported by Ormeau Business Park, Kainos Software, and the Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water, continues to highlight the entrepreneurial talents of Queen’s University students, providing them with the platform and funding to bring their innovative ideas to life.
Chetan Hari and his business partner Deepti Kasi were awarded ‘Most Innovative Idea’ for Myelo Map, a novel, non-invasive liquid biopsy service designed to monitor real-time therapy resistance in blood cancer patients.
Reflecting on the competition, Chetan said: “Winning the Most Innovative Idea at ‘What’s the Big Idea?’ has be an incredible experience. It’s not just about the prize; it’s about the belief in our idea and the confidence to take it further. This support has been a real game-changer for us”.
SU Enterprise commended the creativity and hard work of all participants, making the event a fitting end to the semester.
SU Enterprise Development Officer, Robbie Mulvenna-Jamison, said: “The What’s the Big Idea? competition is all about empowering students to bring their innovative ideas to life. Every year, we’re amazed by the creativity and ambition on display, and 2024 has been no exception. It’s truly inspiring to see these ideas take shape.”
A massive congratulations to all the winners and participants!
Don’t forget: Applications are now open for the QUB Dragons’ Den competition! With a share of a massive £25,000 prize pot up for grabs, it’s the perfect opportunity to take your business idea to the next level. Click here for more information.
