Seaweed idea helps students win YES22 competition

BUDDING entrepreneurs have showcased their talents to claim a series of prestigious national prizes.

Two teams of researchers and technicians from the University of Reading took part in the Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) and swept up the overall competition, best finance, best intellectual property and the People’s Choice awards.

The winning team’s hypothetical product AlgaeMino is a sustainable seaweed-based protein powder which requires minimal processing, is nutritious, palatable and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

AlgaeMino team leader, Pradeep Vijaya Kumar said: “YES turned out to be a remarkable adventure and winning the finals was the happiest moment for all of us.

“We brainstormed ideas to find one that excited us, and then implemented advice received from our brilliant mentors, in a short time.

“This has given us confidence in handling the presentation of ideas to any audience.”

Reading’s other winners, MindX Lab, presented their idea for an alternative treatment delivery method for mental health conditions and won the People’s Choice award.

The group established the concept of delivering medications via a film patch absorbed in the mouth.

Team leader, Saumya Sood said: “YES has been an exceptional experience. We stepped out of our comfort zones. It was a great learning opportunity on how we might translate research into marketable products.”

YES has been running for 27 years, training more than 6,000 researchers to prepare scientists and engineers for future business endeavours. Participants are encouraged to take novel science and engineering ideas to address key issues.