An LED table which offers an innovative approach to the leisure and entertainment industry was the winning idea from the Dragon’s Den competition organised by the Department of Physics.
Five student teams presented their business ideas at the Physics’ Dragons Den competition which took place in the Central Teaching Laboratories.
The winning project receives £6,000 cash investment and free mentoring from AscentVentures, and the University’s Business Gateway to develop their idea into a commercially attractive proposition.
Other proposals from the teams included an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system to monitor student attendance, an Electromagnetic propulsion system for outreach and education purpose, a CRT Oscilloscope for Art Installation and SoleMate, an array of sensors to fit within the sole of your shoes for medical applications.
Dragons from the investment companies AscentVentures, DoEs Liverpool and JCS Ltd, Business Gateway and the Department of Physics rigorously assessed the proposals.
Liverpool Physicist, Professor Themis Bowcock, who was one of the Dragons, said: “We were really impressed by the quality of the projects but in the end we thought that the LED Table team had the better project plan and was more likely to be delivered on time and on budget. I will be keeping a close interest on their progress!”
Dr Marco Palumbo, Commercial Manager in the Department of Physics, added: “I would like to thank all of the Dragons who gave their time and all of the students for their input and ideas.
“This competition is an excellent opportunity for the students to start to think about developing and delivering business ideas. The standard of entries from all of the student teams was very high and it was a difficult choice to choose a winner but on the day, LED table look the most viable proposal.”
The event was supported by the Science and Technology Funding Council (STFC) .
The LED Table is an interactive platform resembling an ordinary coffee table where people can upload their favourite arcade games, music and messaging tools via an usb port or a specific smartphone app. Once connected the socialising possibility of the table are endless.