Entrepreneurs Interactive in collaboration with Design London
present
The Entrepreneurial Journey:
Design-led Innovation tried and tested by Design London’s Incubator Ventures
A panel discussion with two exciting ventures currently supported by its Incubator – Loowatt and Plumis – as well as examining the legal side of a start-up.
6pm on 27th May 2010:
LGR, Tanaka Building, Imperial College Business School
Panel:
Plumis, Design London Incubator venture
LooWatt, Design London Incubator venture
Oliver Van Emden, Incubator Operations Manager – Design London
Moderator:
Dr. Nick Leon, Director – Design London
Please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MDR586M to reserve your place.
are currently supporting in our Business Incubator
With the IED Project drawing to a close, the obvious question is “What next?”. This session will provide the perfect opportunity to further explore how these projects can transition into a business venture and beyond. Join us for a panel discussion with these two Design London Incubator ventures and Incubator Operations Manager, Oliver Van Emden, led by Design London Director, Dr. Nick Leon. The session will be followed by drinks where you will have the opportunity to interact with the panel members.
The focus is on early stage design-led start-ups, the importance of the team and overall development of the project as well as a short talk on the legalities such as getting the company structure correct, IP, grants and tax.
Agenda:
• Two members from each team – one covering the design side and the other the business – will give a brief talk about their entrepreneurial journeys, from a pedagogical exercise to incubation and beyond (importance of the team, ideation and overall development of a project).
• Brief talk by Oliver Van Emden – regarding the legal side of a start-up – IP, tax, grants and legal structures
• Panel discussion and audience Q&A led by Nick Leon.
Incubator Venture Profiles:
Plumis – the fire suppression system that utilises a building’s existing plumbing
Founded by Paul Thomas, William Makant and Yusuf Muhammad, and is made up of a multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers and MBAs. It was formed off the back of winning two University-wide competitions, organised by Imperial College Business School, the Imperial Ideas Challenge and Business Challenge. Plumis are developing an automated fire suppression system that utilises water mist to extinguish fire. The uniqueness of water mist is that it combines the cooling effect of a traditional sprinkler, with the oxygen displacement of a gas system. It is environmentally friendly, with minimal water consumption and negligible water damage. It is also applicable to oil fires, which are typical in kitchens. The system won the Helen Hamlyn Design for our Future Selves Awards 2008 – Snowdon Award for Disability Projects.
LooWatt – a waterless sanitation system that transforms human waste into power
Virginia Gardiner has taken poo to the next level, literally! She is the woman behind the innovative design of LooWatt, a toilet that converts excreta to energy. LooWatt aims to create a paradigm shift for sanitation. Using a unique toilet concept, proven anaerobic digestion technology and tailored logistical thinking, LooWatt will help communities around the world to reduce water usage, improve hygiene and generate renewable energy.
Entrepreneurs Interactive contacts:
Emily Sturge, VP of Social Affairs – emily.sturge09@imperial.ac.uk
Yuvraj Singh, President – yuvraj.singh09@imperial.ac.uk.
Please visit the Entrepreneurs Interactive Website http://entrepreneursinteractive.wordpress.com/