UEL student wins �6,000 for design

A university student has won a Dragon’s Den style competition with a device to monitor athletes’ performance.

Alex Oviawe took part in the University of East London’s E-Factor competition at East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf.

The event, now in its seventh year, saw UEL students present their business ideas and compete for funding from a panel of four judges.

Alex, currently an MSc Strength and Conditioning student, impressed the panel with his Global Positioning System (GPS) business idea, designed to monitor an athlete’s performance. He described the device, called ‘Project Raiden’, as “the first and only low-cost GPS system for team sports”.

Alex said: ““Being on the E-Factor has been such a whirlwind experience. I knew that I would come out as a better entrepreneur due to the experience. The workshops and guest speakers were amazing.

“However, what made the whole experience so worthwhile were the people. The E-Factor is built on amazing people who genuinely care. I always felt the support of the staff throughout, and that’s what mattered to me the most”.

He will receive �6,000 grant funding, a �500 market research report, business mentoring and expert consultancy advice.

There was an extra twist to the event, as runner-up contenders, Stitch Up London, were awarded �2,000 in a philanthropic gesture from Canary Wharf Group Strategic Advisor, Howard Dawber. The five-person East London-based company specialise in the manufacturing of specialist clothing from recycled materials, as well as encouraging networking and the idea of community.

UEL Pro-Vice Chancellor, Selena Bolingbroke said: “We are delighted with the event; not only with the innovation and business skill shown by everyone who participated, but also with Howard Dawber, whose generous contribution will surely be of tremendous assistance to everyone at Stitch Up London.”