National prize for University of Glasgow postgraduate’s startup
Published: 4 July 2013
A startup company founded by a former PhD student from the University of Glasgow has received a cash prize for its efforts to improve the quality of life of older and disabled people.
A startup company founded by a former PhD student from the University of Glasgow has received a cash prize for its efforts to improve the quality of life of older and disabled people.
Paolo Di Prodi received £10,000 to support his company, Robomotic Ltd, after taking second place in the postgraduate category of the third annual Santander Entrepreneurship Awards in London last week.
Paolo graduated with a PhD in Robotics from the University’s School of Engineering in 2012 and founded Robomotic shortly before in 2011. The company is prototyping smart-watch devices which are equipped with sensors to monitor the movements and temperature of the wearer.
Bespoke software developed by the company is designed to build up a picture of users’ movements and sleeping habits. When used by older or disabled people in their homes, the devices can alert family members or local authorities when changes to their usual schedule occur, such as longer-than-usual periods of inactivity which could signify a fall.
Paolo said: “I’m pleased and proud to have received this recognition from the Santander Entrepreneurship Awards.
“There is an increasing interest from healthcare providers around the country in telecare products, which can allow older and disabled people to live independently for longer. My postgraduate course at the University of Glasgow gave me many of the skills which helped me develop our products, and there is a great deal of support for new businesses in Scotland.
“I’m very grateful for all the help I’ve received, and I’m excited about the prospects for Robomotic’s future.”
Paolo is currently in discussions with several major companies to license the Robomotic devices and expects a deal to be signed within the next few months.
For more information on Robomotic, visit http://www.robomotic.com/
The Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards provides cash prizes of up to £20,000 to three undergraduate and three postgraduate business plans selected from projects submitted by universities across the country.
ENDS
For more information contact Ross Barker in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3535 or email ross.barker@glasgow.ac.uk
First published: 4 July 2013
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