Team from CIT win second place in Global Health Category at University Start-up World Cup Finals 2018

A team from Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), has been awarded second place in the prestigious Global Health Category of the University Start-up World Cup Finals 2018. Team Stryde Tech developed an innovative and potentially life-changing mobility enablement device that provides independence and confidence to those who are unable to stand up on their own.

The University Start-up World Cup is the leading university business start-up programme and competition where the most promising university talents, corporates, business professionals, and entrepreneurs, come together for a one-week intensive event. The goal is to provide a platform for inspiration, development, and knowledge sharing of sustainable business ideas across a range of higher education and industry stakeholders.

Team Stryde Tech members have included Kevin Hayes, Cian O’Leary, Jonathan Mullane, Muireann Hickey and Alexander Sologub. The team was represented by Muireann and Kevin in Copenhagen, and were mentored by Prof. Sean F. O’Leary, Department of Mechanical, Biomedical & Manufacturing Engineering, a serial mentor of award-winning student teams in CIT. Team Stryde Tech has already received a number of national and institute awards including: Enterprise Ireland Student Entrepreneur of the Year, the Cruickshank Intellectual Property Attorney’s Most Technically innovative Product – National Award Winner, CIT Prize for Innovation Best Concept Award Winner, and the Tim Sexton Memorial Award for Students of Outstanding Achievement.

Dr Barry O’Connor, CIT President said “Team Stryde Tech has maintained CIT’s longstanding tradition of competing on the international stage with distinction. The team’s ability to translate a wonderful concept into an award-winning working product is a great reflection of their abilities and of the wonderful support and guidance that they have received from CIT staff.”

Michael Loftus, Head of Faculty of Engineering & Science in CIT said “it is a remarkable achievement for our undergraduate students to achieve this award ahead of PhD and research teams from renowned universities such as Harvard and John Hopkins in the US. It is fitting that their excellence has been recognised on the global stage, a fact that further highlights the value that CIT STEM graduates bring to our regional and national economy.”