Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, June 12, 2024 Today marked a significant milestone for the EXPER project as it held an inaugural in-person meeting at the FCPCT facilities of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). The meeting signalled the commencement of the CLAB (Contamination Lab) model implementation at ULPGC, a crucial component of the “WP3: Attracting and Retaining Talents” work package.
The CLAB model, which has already seen successful integration at prestigious European institutions such as the University of Calabria (UNICAL), aims to enhance entrepreneurial skills and foster innovation among students. This initiative aligns with EXPER’s broader goals of stimulating business idea development and harnessing knowledge-based entrepreneurial endeavours.
The launch event saw the participation of enrolled students, mentors, and management staff, including Alice Gervanosi, a partner from EMERGE, and María José Miranda, Director of Scientific Infrastructures and Relations with Companies at ULPGC. The meeting covered several key points:
- Introduction to the Academy Phase: Students were briefed on the first phase of implementation, including the schedule and key milestones.
- Implementation Milestones: Details were shared about the upcoming activities and milestones for CLAB ULPGC over the next few months.
- Group Formation and Business Ideas: Participants formed groups and presented their initial business ideas, showcasing a diverse range of innovative concepts.
Among the notable business ideas presented were:
- Wiss: A project focusing on alternative marine waste collection using sustainable autonomous robots. This approach aims to replace traditional, costly, and environmentally harmful methods, such as ships that endanger marine life. Wiss also plans to engage the local community through educational talks and events.
- Smart Traffic Management AI: This idea involves an AI system that optimises city traffic using data from cameras and sensors, integrated with Google Maps. The system aims to improve urban mobility, enhance public transportation use, and reduce travel time. It also plans to incorporate services for public utilities like recycling, fire departments, and police.
- Ecolens: A proposed non-profit Junior Cooperative Society at ULPGC, Ecolens will organise cultural events for institutions and tourism companies, showcasing the Canary Islands’ identity through innovative photographic trends. The project also aims to promote cooperative models, supporting a socially responsible and solidary economy.
Additionally, the meeting provided an opportunity for participants to meet and interact with each other, addressing any initial queries.
The Academy Phase of the CLAB ULPGC will focus on key areas such as team and innovation, validation, customer development, intellectual property rights, business models and project presentations, and financial planning.
Key Outcomes:
- Finalising student group formations and content to be delivered by tutors.
- Setting the schedule for the theoretical classes of CLAB, expected to commence between late June and early July.
- I am planning a team-building activity, potentially a cooking experience, with initial support from Andrea of UNICAL.
The CLAB initiative at ULPGC is poised to become a cornerstone of innovation and entrepreneurial education, empowering students to transform their ideas into viable business ventures.
