A STUDENT from Northwich has become one of just three people in the north west to win a Young Innovator Award after designing a ‘seat raiser’ inspired by his grandad.
Ben Keeble, an engineering student at the University of Nottingham, invented Mobiliaid, a portable, battery-powered seat raiser for the elderly and people with disabilities.
He came up with the idea after noticing his grandad needed a portable seat raiser for use outside of the house, like when visiting people or getting out of the car.
Ben was recently crowned one of three young people from the north west to win a Young Innovator Award, announced by Innovate UK, to 'help make the world a better place'.
He joins a cohort of 94 young people aged 18 to 30 with business ideas that could change the world and will benefit from a £5,000 grant, one-on-one business coaching and an allowance to cover living costs.
Commenting on his award and project Mobiliaid, Ben Keeble, said: “Since developing the mobile seat raiser design, I’ve been itching to bring it to market and share the social benefits.
“Winning Innovate UK’s Young Innovators Award will not just provide funds to help me achieve this but, more importantly, give me time to spend on realising the opportunities and the support of a mentor to guide me on this exciting journey.”
Ben’s invention can be carried from place to place and can be quickly set up on most types of seating, acting as a battery-powered mobile seat raiser which can be easily carried and provides a stable base even on a soft seat.
Indro Mukerjee, CEO Innovate UK said: “The Innovate UK Young Innovators program is an important part of our many activities to strongly develop the talent pipeline needed to further drive our innovation nation.
“I warmly congratulate all the Young Innovators Award winners and look forward to keeping in touch as they progress”.
Science, research and innovation minister George Freeman said: “Innovation is about developing new and better ways of doing things - something young minds naturally do.
“Our Innovation Nation mission - and 50 per cent increase in Innovate UK budget - is about investing in R&D in all parts of the UK to help drive economic investment and create exciting new career opportunities.
“These 94 young innovators will each receive a £5000 grant, one-to-one mentoring and living cost support to develop their innovations.
“The next James Dyson, Martha Lane Fox, Hayaatun Sillem or Richard Branson are out there.
“Helping, inspiring and supporting our top young innovators is the best investment there is.”
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