An Aberdeen “poo bank” entrepreneur has won £5,000 in a competition aimed at student enterprises.
James McIlroy, whose firm Eurobotix is pioneering a treatment for superbug infections, won the cash after taking second place in the New Ventures competition in Edinburgh.
The University of Aberdeen medical student, 23, set up the social enterprise to support health services and clinicians to deliver “microbiota transplantation” – which implants intestinal bacteria and yeasts from a healthy donor into the gut of a person who is lacking the essential microflora they need for their gut to function properly. Trials have shown that faecal transplant can cure 81% of patients suffering from Clostridium difficile infection.
The award was handed out at an the Student Enterprise Summit in Edinburgh yesterday, hosted by the Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) – a national organisation that supports enterprise in Scotland’s colleges and universities
Mr McIIlroy said: “It’s great to receive recognition from Scottish Institute for Enterprise via the New Ventures competition. The funding is essential to develop the business and allow us to continue researching while reaching out to universities and hospitals across the country.”
Paul McGinley, a graduate of the University of Strathclyde, took the £10,000 first prize with his firm, Pyramid Wifi, a legal internet “unblocker”.
Fiona Godsman, chief executive of event organisers of SIE, said: “The Student Enterprise Summit is a fantastic opportunity for young people across the country to meet like-minded people and to hear the inspirational stories of successful Scottish business figures and learn how an idea can grow into a success.
“It was a great event, celebrating strong, unique business ideas and we hope ambitious students have learned how they can develop their own enterprise skills. These skills are so important in today’s competitive landscape for boosting employability, fostering innovation and bringing value to organisations.”
