Bradford start-up off to Houses of Parliament to launch UUK campaign
University of Bradford start-up i-Diagnose, which aims to save the NHS thousands of pounds by using artificial intelligence to slash training costs, has been invited to the House of Lords as part of the Universities UK ‘Unis start up the UK’ campaign.
Sania Bibi and Aaron Walshaw, who started their business through the University’s BREE enterprise ecosystem, will help launch University UK’s national campaign to celebrate the impact of universities and their role in the growth agenda and industrial strategy.
Sania said: “We are beyond grateful to have been given this incredible opportunity to present ourselves and show how i-Diagnose can save the NHS and universities thousands of pounds in training costs.”
Aaron said: “The support from Bradford University has been instrumental on our journey, and we can’t wait to showcase how universities play a crucial role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.”
The pair will attend UUK’s Chancellors Reception on Wednesday 19 March in the House of Lords Cholmondeley Room and Terrace. They will be joined by Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP.
What is i-Diagnose?
I-Diagnose is the brainchild of physician associate Aaron Walshaw and pharmacist Sania Bibi, who developed their idea through the Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem (BREE) and specifically through a programme known as the Accelerated Student Entrepreneurship Programmes (ASEP).
After pitching their business idea to the University, they secured a six-figure investment sum that includes ‘in-kind’ staff time and the cost of employing a web developer.
The i-Diagnose app, which will be showcased at the House of Lords as part of a UUK national campaign. Image credits: University of Bradford
Harnessing AI
At present, clinical evaluations known as Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) are often costly and difficult to organise as they require a minimum of three people and sometimes involve hiring actors to play certain roles.
I-Diagnose uses machine learning and AI, drawing data from thousands of real cases, to simulate different scenarios, making it quicker and cheaper to organise, while also providing students with immediate feedback.
What is BREE?
BREE is the Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem, a £2.5m initiative to help nurture business start-ups. It is open to staff, students and members of the community and offers cash grants and business mentoring for entrepreneurs.
BREE director Professor Paul Thorning said: “We’re so pleased to see one of our start-ups being invited to the Houses of Parliament and we’re proud they will be flying the flag for the University of Bradford.”
UUK Start-up campaign
UUK’s ‘Unis start up the UK’ campaign will highlight the contribution universities make to generating growth, promoting enterprise, and creating opportunity. There will be a particular focus on the work that universities do to support businesses such as generating the future pipeline of entrepreneurs and supporting start-ups.
Different is what we do
UNACHIEVABLE – Making the impossible possible
The University of Bradford supports innovators and entrepreneurs who are developing new technologies that disrupt the market to bring about meaningful change that improves people’s lives. Its BREE and ASEP programmes encourage and nurture new business start-ups, offering cash grants, business mentoring and a range of other professional support.