Jumpack wins INVENT 2016

This year’s INVENT winner shows that invention knows no heights – the prestigious grand prize of £13,000 went to Jumpack, a foldable, wearable ramp for BMXers, skateboarders and other extreme sports enthusiasts.

The INVENT awards, in partnership with Bank of Ireland UK, recognise proof-of-concept stage innovations and has long been considered the foremost ‘Night of Invention’ showcasing the best of our innovative entrepreneurs across the region.

Julie-Ann O’Hare of Bank of Ireland UK said, ” Tonight was another highly successful celebration of innovation in Northern Ireland. Bank of Ireland UK is proud to be involved in recognising the huge contribution of world leading businesses such as Glen Dimplex, founded in Northern Ireland, and encouraging the business successes of tomorrow.”

Steve Orr, Director of Connect at Catalyst Inc said, “Everyone has a life-changing invention inside them. The common trait amongst tonight’s inventors is that they had a problem bothering them and they solved it with a new invention. Everyone can do that. It’s all about taking action. We are here to encourage people to take the first step. Let’s change the world together!”

Mr Martin Naughton KBE, was recognised for his achievements as the recipient of the 2016 Innovation Founder Award, a much deserved accolade for his contribution to Northern Ireland’s innovation economy.

Also attending the event were Simon Hamilton, Minister for the economy, and Stephen Nolan, presenter of the BBC NI programme ‘Made in Northern Ireland’. which features a number of the competition’s past and present participants. The event was compèred by William Crawley.

Jumpack won the ‘Engineering’ category. The other five category winners are:

Oran Oak ‘DipFast’ was created by the Kelly Family of Beragh, Co. Tyrone. Sheep dipping is a necessary, but time-consuming and labour-intensive process. DipFast’s moulded sheep-showering unit improves efficiency while reducing health and safety risks.

Locate a locum, founded by Jonny Clarke and Michael Budden from Belfast, helps pharmacies source locums online who are available and eligible to work.

Point Energy was founded in 2016 by Prof. Kang Li, Dr. Joe Devlin and Dr. Jing Deng, based in Queen’s University Belfast. It provides an energy-saving service to the manufacturing industry through monitoring every component’s energy use in a factory.

Elemental, founded by Leeann Monk (Derry) and Jennifer Neff (Dubai) is cloud software that enables social prescribing, because health goes beyond medicine alone. It connects patients and clinicians with community health providers.

TakeTen, founded by Fintan Connolly, is a gaming app that monitors stress levels through real-time biofeedback, allowing users to regulate and manage their anxiety. This innovative technology helps children retrain their body to deal more effectively with daily stress.