From an intuitive bluetooth accessory to a downloadable art and music program, innovative use of technology was the common feature of this year’s Enterprise Workshop finalists.
Flinders University Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) Research Associates, Dr Aaron Mohtar and Mrs Laura Diment, were recognised for their outstanding entrepreneurial and business acumen, taking out first and third prize (together with their respective teams) at the 2014 Enterprise Workshop gala awards on 23 October.
Announced at the 2014 Enterprise Workshop Gala Award ceremony at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the awards celebrated the hard work and dedication of workshop participants.
First prize was awarded to the SBRM team (pictured below) for their product idea Swyper™.
Swyper™ is a plug-and-play bluetooth accessory that provides users with a simple and intuitive solution for hands-free control of their smart device.
Flinders University featured highly amongst the finalists, with the four of the five members of the SBRM team associated with Flinders.
The Enterprise Workshop is a practical MBA style program which is conducted over eight months and designed to equip participants with the critical skills and values to build a successful enterprise.
As the overall winners, the SBRM team took home over $21,000 worth of prizes donated by sponsors of the program as well as a temporary ‘home’ within new eNVIsion incubator space at Flinders at Tonsley.
CEO of Swyper, Dr Aaron Mohtar, said the program was a great opportunity to fine tune and implement many of the learnings he had developed during his time with the MDPP.
“As a Senior Research Associate with the MDPP, I work closely with small to medium medical device companies, but as a participant through the Enterprise Workshop, it has been great to be on the ‘other side of the fence’, to experience the same pressures and hurdles that they encounter. ” Dr Mohtar said.
“With such a Flinders connection within the team, we are also excited about making our initial home down at the new Tonsley precinct and the next stage for Swyper is to finish our prototype – we will then be seeking investment,” he said.
Fellow MDPP Research Associate, Laura Diment won third prize together with partner Kasturi Vimalanathan, for their enterprise Splashboard.
Splashboard is the first program to use gesture recognition technology to encourage people to create art and music, irrespective of their age, disabilities or language. The multi-award winning prototype was successfully trialled with children with severe disabilities and has attracted the attention of schools, aged-care facilities, disability organisations and individuals.
For further information about Swyper™, contact Dr Aaron Mohtar (aaron.mohtar@flinders.edu.au).
For information about Splashboard, contact Laura Diment (laura.diment@flinders.edu.au).
