Two Cranfield University students had the chance to learn from the best in sustainable technologies, after winning a competition with their aspirational business ideas.
Loick Laroche-Joubert, 23 from France, and Aniruddh Omprakash, 24 from India, attended CleanEquity® Monaco 2018, an event that brings together key opinion leaders, strategic investors, financiers and entrepreneurs in the cleantech industry.
The students won a competition to submit an innovative idea or invention in the field of clean technology. The business plan had to include any commercial and financial potential and the target market the product would be aimed at.
Loick, who is currently studying Aerospace Vehicle Design, proposed the idea of an electric light aircraft for the pilot training market. Aniruddh is studying Advanced Mechanical Engineering and advocated temporary shelters for the salt farmers of India.
Aniruddh, who has since received a potential job offer from one of the influential mentors he met at the event, said: “I am grateful to have been recognised so early in my career. This opportunity to interact with some of the best minds in the field of clean energy was a real eye opener.
One of the key learning points for me was the winning attitude of the successful investors presenting to us; their complete undivided attention to solving a problem was inspiring.”
The success stories of the individuals attending the event have inspired Loick to start up his own business. Speaking about the event, he said: “One of the most valuable aspects for me was the networking opportunities.
“Meeting CleanEquity® entrepreneurs who are making a huge difference in tomorrow’s world in terms of sustainable development has undeniably strengthened my motivation to cultivate my own ideas into a viable business.”
Celebrating its eleventh year, the invitation-only CleanEquity® event brings together inventors and entrepreneurs to enable and accelerate world-relevant, best-in-class sustainable and resource efficiency technology companies.
Cranfield University is one of the sponsors of the event. Professor Tom Stephenson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, said: “We really value the connections we make at CleanEquity® Monaco.
“2018 will be a year of accelerated developments in spin-outs and tech start-up activities at Cranfield and CleanEquity® is an ideal platform to find out who we can help – and who can help us.”
About Cranfield University
Cranfield University is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management.
