Three teams from Ireland selected for i-Days Winner’s event

After some competitive pitches across Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, Dundalk Institute of Technology and University of Galway, three teams have been selected for the i-Days final in Vienna.

Innovation Days (i-Days) are challenge-based learning events that train participants in innovation and entrepreneurship, design thinking methods, and pitching. The events aim to inspire creativity and collaboration while encouraging a new generation of health innovators. At EIT Health, we support academic institutions to run and host i-Days for undergraduate and postgraduate students with an interest in healthcare innovation.

Ireland’s i-Days winners

The University of Galway’s i-Days was a three-session event (between 19 October – 4 November) where students worked on providing solutions for loneliness among elderly populations. The winning team, the ‘Golden Goodies’ comprised of Lee-Ann Coughlan, Clare Nolan, Aine Daly, Josh Bhathal, and Richard Schönlein. The team came up with an innovative idea named a Golden Goodie Box as a starter kit to the golden stage of life, inspired by the idea of the Finnish Baby Box.

Golden Goodies team, University of Galway

Dundalk Institute of Technology hosted i-Days from 25 – 26 October where students collaborated to find solutions for chronic illnesses. The winning team comprising of David McCabe, Kyle McQuillan & John Tayag chose to work on Arthritis. Having a team member previously diagnosed with Arthritis, the team proposed a robotic splint that can be programmed to enable patients to control their own condition.

Winning team at DKIT

Atlantic Technological University, Sligo hosted a two-day i-Days event (20 – 21 October) where students had the option to work on tackling challenges related to chronic-disease management or developing programmes for a healthier third level campus for all. The winning team ‘PlateItUp’ comprised of Larry Reilly, Stephanie Okolie, Hamail Ayaz, and Lauren Waters. Their solution tackled the first challenge with an app that will facilitate and automate dietary assessment for patients suffering from gastro-intestinal (GI) problems.

PlateItUp team, ATU Sligo

i-Days European finals

It was an exciting three weeks full of innovation, creativity, and collaboration with almost 150 students coming together for healthcare innovation. We were truly amazed to witness the range of innovative ideas among the students who came from different backgrounds, and how well they worked together to come up with potentially life-changing solutions. All three teams will now go on to represent Sligo, Dundalk, and Galway at the Winner’s event in Vienna on 24-25 November.

We will soon launch a call for academic institutions to deliver i-Days in 2023. EIT Health offers support to the hosts in the coordination and leadership of the events. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to find out opening dates or get in touch with EIT Health Ireland-UK team for more information.

Learn more about how i-Days works in practice.