A former University of East London (UEL) student has thanked a Dragons’ Den-style competition for helping him to launch a business.

Alex Oviawe, founder and CEO of Precision Sports Technologies, was given £6,000 plus a year’s work space, support and mentorship from UEL after winning its E-Factor contest in 2012.

His company offers elite and amateur sports teams a high-tech way to avoid injuries and enhance their performance through its ‘Precision WEAR’ wearable monitoring technology.

Mr Oviawe said: “It’s one thing to have a business idea but another thing to present it and have it judged.

“The hope originally was that it would take about a year to complete but I was naïve. It’s proved a lot more complex and expensive to produce.”

Mr Oviawe has several high-profile athletes lined up for his business launch next month.

Seven current UEL students will have their ideas judged at this year’s E-Factor on Thursday.