Scotland’s expanded Venture Builder Incubator (VBI) 5.0 has launched, supporting 34 entrepreneurs – 12 more than last year – from UK universities to grow and develop their businesses and skills.
Among them is Biomedical Engineer Nana Aboagye who is specialising in digital health, digital biomarkers and machine learning applications, is conducting his PhD at the NIHR Newcastle BRC. His research project focuses on digital biomarkers of fatigue in individuals with chronic diseases. This is a cross-thematic initiative within the Digital Health, Ageing Innovation and Inclusion and Musculoskeletal Disease and Inflammation Medicine Themes within the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The project explores the use of digitally measured biological signals, such as movement and physiological data, to predict and manage fatigue in people living with chronic conditions, supervised by Dr Silvia Del Din, Dr Ken Baker, and Prof Mark Baker.
Nana applied to the Venture Builder Incubator programme to leverage its robust support system and extensive network of mentors to help transform his project idea of developing a chronic fatigue management app into reality and to benefit from the collaborative environment and peer learning opportunities it provides, which can stimulate and foster strategic partnerships for the future.
Chronic Fatigue Solutions is developing the innovative app that predicts personalized fatigue levels by analysing health data from wearable devices, such as the Apple Watch, and additional inputs like nutrition and lifestyle habits. The app provides personalized interventions to help individuals with chronic diseases manage their fatigue and improve their daily functioning. This solution also offers healthcare providers valuable data to enhance patient care.
He said:
“I am thrilled to have been accepted into the VBI 5.0 Programme this year. The ecosystem, funding, and access to investment and business mentorship offered by this programme will be instrumental in bringing my vision to life. This support will enable me to scale my digital health business. I believe ChronicFatigue Solutions will not only contribute to the digital health landscape but also empower individuals to manage chronic fatigue more effectively.”
The VBI programme is delivered by the University of Edinburgh’s world-leading innovation hub for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, the Bayes Centre, and Edinburgh Innovations, the University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation service on behalf of its Data-Driven Innovation Hubs. The programme supports postgraduate students and research staff to test and develop ideas that use digital technology to address the world’s challenges.
In its fifth year, the VBI programme provides a share of up to £100,000 in support, as well as mentoring from industry-leading experts, interactive workshops, professional networking events and access to the Bayes Centre.
Dr Andrea Taylor, CEO of Edinburgh Innovations, the University’s commercialisation service, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the VBI programme expanding year on year, leveraging the entrepreneurial ecosystem we have here at the University and beyond to get ideas born of research out into the world, where they can improve lives.”
Besides Nana, Biosciences PhD student Elloise Stephenson from the Biosciences Institute at Newcastle University is part of the cohort. She is building a commercial screening service to assess a patient’s response to enzymes called kinases, to improve and personalise cancer treatment. Adapted with thanks to the University of Edinburgh
The full VBI 5.0 cohort
Venture Builder Incubator