Young entrepreneurs scoop up national award

A number of young entrepreneurs from Bristol have won a national award for their innovative ideas.

Five young people from our city scooped up a Young Innovator Award for inventing devices to make the world a better place after the competition received almost 700 applicants.

28-year-old Jake Biele (featured in the main photo), has created a piece of technology to help fight climate change.

Jake is developing electronic sensors that convert light into electricity, providing an eco-friendly and financially feasible solution.

We are delighted to announce the 2022/23 winners of the @innovateuk #YoungInnovators Awards ?.

This year, there are 9️⃣4️⃣ young entrepreneurs who have been selected for notable potential in business innovation:https://t.co/VZ2rYoBC3m@KTNUK #IdeasMeanBusiness #InnovateUKEDGE pic.twitter.com/M8kmenyoOL

— Innovate UK (@innovateuk) January 24, 2023

His invention, which will be the first of its kind, will be used by companies and scientists to develop new technologies which utilise light to help tackle major challenges such as climate change.

The winners join 97 other winners aged 18 to 30 across the UK who will take a share of the £1.25m prize fund, along with each receiving a £5,000 grant, one-on-one business coaching and an allowance to cover living costs.

Ethan Wilkin, who lives in Filton, is another award winner. The 23-year-old is developing a foldable electric motorbike for urban commuters called the Hornet which can fold down to the size of a large suitcase.

Alasdair Aegerter, an aerospace engineer, has created a hybrid aircraft, the ‘plane-o-copter’, that can land anywhere.

The 28-year-old’s invention can be used to transport goods more efficiently and to combat illegal logging, poaching and human trafficking.

Samuel Graham has created Revolv, an on-the-go power solution for cyclists who plan and track routes via apps.

The 29-year-old’s rim-mounted device uses wheel motion to fast-charge smartphones and other devices on the go.

Ethan Wilkin is developing a foldable electric motorbike which can fold down to the size of a large suitcase – photo: Ethan Wilkin

Alberto Morón Hernández, who is originally from Madrid and now lives in Bristol, has created Dellista, a device which develops privacy-preserving machine learning algorithms.

The 25-year-old hopes to fill a gap in the algorithm market, by creating safer, language-inclusive anonymised data.

Emily Nott, head of equality, diversity and inclusion programmes at Innovate UK said: “The level of creativity, passion, and commitment to positive change within our society and environment in this year’s Young Innovators Award winners is beyond inspiring.

“Knowing that Innovate UK is creating opportunities and providing support to enable these young people from a wide range of different backgrounds across all parts of the UK to grow and develop their businesses makes me very proud.

“With the financial uncertainty this year brings, it’s fantastic to see these entrepreneurs starting businesses that will improve the world and boost innovation in the UK.

“We can’t wait to see what they will achieve next.”

Main photo: Jake Biele

Read next: 

• The Bristol University graduates who have invented ‘a landmark of equity’ 
• First of its kind Braille gaming device created in Bedminster 
• Company which uses drones to inspect wind turbines secures funding

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