Students from Nottingham Business School have pitched their idea to tackle the growing issue of electronic waste through recycling and recovering precious metals at a prestigious international entrepreneurship competition. Five MSc Innovation Management & Entrepreneurship students – Luke Hailstone, Devansh Poddar, Eugene Oigara, Pierre Louis, and Ajinkya Khairnar – visited Nairobi, Kenya, to take part in The Hult Prize, which challenges young people to solve the world’s most pressing issues through social entrepreneurship. Rapid technological advancements coupled with short lifespans of products has led to a growing problem of electronic waste. According to the World Health Organisation, e-waste is the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world. In 2019, an estimated 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste were produced worldwide, but only 17.4% was recycled. With the remainder of waste sent to landfill or burned, e-waste can release lead into the environment and have an adverse impact on human health. The NBS team, who hail from Kenya, India, France, and the UK, presented their Imagination Engineering business concept which uses ‘urban mining’ to address the issue. The innovative method uses naturally occurring microorganisms to break down e-waste and recover precious metals like gold, silver, and copper, providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional recycling methods. Their pitch included the creation of a state-of-the-art bioleaching facility, equipped with advanced equipment, and managed by a team of experienced microbiologists and waste management experts. The facility is designed to offer comprehensive e-waste recycling services to businesses, governments, and individuals looking to dispose of their electronic devices responsibly. To create a prototype, the group conducted research with e-waste recyclers and other stakeholders in the e-waste recycling industry to understand any challenges and receive feedback on usability, efficiency, and effectiveness in recovering valuable materials from e-waste. Their business plan, which also had to consider financial sustainability and potential barriers to taking the product to market, was improved and refined throughout the process. The Hult Prize receives thousands of entries each year and only a selection are chosen to go through to summit events across the world, where ideas are pitched to a panel of esteemed judges, global business leaders, and thought leaders. While the Imagination Engineering team didn’t progress to the final, the group valued the experience and the opportunity to share their business plan. Devansh Poddar, age 23, from Mumbai, said: “One of the biggest challenges we faced was aligning our scientific research with market needs and ensuring our solution was both technically feasible and commercially viable. “I learned a great deal about project management and the importance of aligning technical solutions with market demands. This will be beneficial as we move forward with our careers and future projects. “A standout moment for me was pitching to the judges and receiving recognition for our idea. It was a validation of our hard work and creativity, and it gave us the confidence to continue pursuing our vision.” Luke Hailstone, 23, from London, added: “One of the most memorable moments for me was networking with other teams and learning about their innovative solutions. The exchange of ideas and the supportive community at the summit were truly inspiring. “A significant challenge we faced was refining our pitch under time pressure and ensuring that our complex scientific concept was communicated clearly and effectively to a non-technical audience. “This experience taught me the importance of adaptability and clear communication, which I believe will be invaluable in my future endeavours.” Paul Wreaves, course leader for MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at NBS, said: “To reach the summit stages of The Hult Prize is a fantastic achievement, and the team received some very positive feedback. “Their unique qualities, education, and professional backgrounds, combined with their shared vision and dedication, make them exceptionally well-suited to transform their venture into a reality and drive meaningful change in the e-waste management sector should they decide to pursue the idea.”

Organisers of a sponsored 100-mile bike ride which took cyclists from Derby to Skegness have handed over £50,000 to two city charities – and are already looking for people to take part next year. Cosy Foundation has given the money to the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre and Derby Kids’ Camp following the SkegVegas 100 event, which took place in May. It is the most the bike ride, which was launched in 2013, has ever raised, thanks to the generosity and pedal power of more than 70 participants, whose journey took them from Derby Arena through Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire and to the holiday centre’s door. It was also the biggest turn-out the ride had ever attracted thanks to a huge effort by its organisers, led by Cosy’s managing director, Dave Hook. But now Peter Ellse, CEO of the Cosy Foundation, says organisers are looking to go bigger and better next year, with more riders and more money for the charities top of their wish-list. The money raised will help pay for the charities’ work, which involves providing holidays for under-privileged young people across the county. The Derbyshire Holiday Children’s Centre treats them to a week at the seaside in Skegness, while Derby Kids’ Camp gives them a week away sleeping under canvas, with games, treats and songs around the campfire at its own site outside Ashbourne. Next year’s ride will take place on May 17 and there will be a host of new features including a walk called the Ashbourne Amble, a 20-mile trek across the Derbyshire countryside which will take place at the same time. It is designed to give people who do not fancy embarking on the bike ride a chance to undertake their own fundraising challenge and it also helps reflect the work done by Derby Kids’ Camp. The bike ride is also being opened up to local businesses, who will be invited to enter teams of four to 10 people and will get their own corporate cycling jerseys to commemorate the occasion. And there will be a special celebration in the evening in Skegness, where the saddle-sore riders can unwind and swap their cycling tales, complete with refreshments and entertainment. Peter said: “We learned this year how much of an institution the SkegVegas 100 is, with people returning year after year to take part and raise thousands of pounds for charity. “We want to build on that by getting as many people involved as possible and raising awareness of these two wonderful charities who give young people a lifetime’s-worth of memories by giving them something everybody else takes for granted – a holiday. “By organising a walk that will take place at the same time as the bike ride we will attract people who might feel that a 100-mile bike ride is beyond their capability but who are willing to take on a 20-mile hike to Ashbourne, which is just a few miles or so away from Derby Kids’ Camp. “We also want to make the events extra memorable and reward everyone who is taking part, so what better way than host a party with, we hope, an Elvis impersonator thrown in.” The SkegVegas 100 ride has become a much-loved fixture in the yearly calendar for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, which, in the same spirit as Derby Kids’ Camp, gives a week’s seaside holiday to underprivileged children from Derby. Alan Grimadell, chair of the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, said: “The SkegVegas 100 ride has raised many thousands of pounds over the years and we are thrilled with the success of last month’s event. “Even though it happened a few weeks ago, Dave and his team have wasted no time in planning next year’s event and we’re all excited with the prospect of raising awareness of the ride even further and incorporating new ways in which to raise money.” Chris Edwards, chairman of Derby Kids’ Camp, said: “This was our first year of being involved in the SkegVegas ride and the warmth, camaraderie and generosity of everybody who has helped organise it or have taken part has been a true eye-opener. “They have helped raise an incredible amount of money, which will buy a whole load of happy memories for the young people who come out to our camp to get some fresh air, make new friends and just have fun.”

Nottingham-based recruitment company Staffline is providing equipment and training to help homeless and vulnerable people across the East Midlands gain digital skills. Staffline has donated around 400 items of pre-loved IT equipment to the homelessness charity Framework. The items, including more than 140 laptops and 100 tablets, as well as smartphones and protective cases, are estimated to be worth more than £23,000. Framework’s digital inclusion team will use these to help people in need to acquire the vital IT skills and confidence to live independently. In addition staff from the company are providing pro bono support by delivering IT training to Framework’s staff. Matt Roberts, Staffline’s Group Head of IT, said: “At Staffline, we’re not just about providing top-notch flexible work across the UK; we’re about making a real difference in our communities, too. “That’s why we’re thrilled to share our recent collaboration with Framework, a charity dedicated to supporting homeless individuals in the East Midlands. By donating tablets and laptops, we’re opening doors to new opportunities for people in need, aligning perfectly with our core values and vision. “One of our core values, to ‘Stand Up and Be Counted’, is about building credible relationships and delivering on our promises with relentless passion. This donation to Framework embodies that commitment, offering a lifeline to those who are often left behind. We believe in the power of technology to connect, educate, and empower individuals, helping to bridge the gap between adversity and opportunity. “‘Doing the Right Thing’, another core value at Staffline, is at the heart of everything we do. Acting with integrity and honesty, we adhere to the highest ethical standards, which is why partnering with Framework felt so right. “This initiative supports their vision of creating an inclusive community where everyone has the chance to thrive. Together we’re working towards a future where homelessness is not just addressed but prevented, through understanding, support, and access to crucial resources like education and employment opportunities. “We’re proud to support Framework’s goals, which resonate deeply with our vision of creating a future where everyone feels valued, supported, and hopeful. Through this donation, we’re not just providing technology; we’re helping to build a foundation for resilience, skill development, and a sense of belonging. “It’s a reflection of our belief in doing the right thing for our community, standing up to be counted, and making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.” Framework’s Head of Fundraising and Communications, Claire Eden, said: “Businesses and organisations provide vital support to our work in many different ways including payroll giving, taking part in fundraising events, or making Framework their charity of the year. “Gifts in kind and pro bono support also make a massive contribution to the work we do to help people in need – as in the case of Staffline’s hugely generous and heartfelt support which is greatly appreciated. “The quantity, quality and range of equipment provided by Staffline have given many more service users access to vital digital communications equipment. The training offered has increased the skill level among our service users. Both elements of this support have increased the scope and effectiveness of the work by our colleagues and have advanced digital inclusion among our service users. “Thank you to everyone at Staffline who has been involved in this exceptional initiative. We are delighted to demonstrate our appreciation by including Staffline among our Friends of Framework – a group of businesses who have gone above and beyond in their support of our work. The plaque we recently presented provides enduring evidence of that appreciation.”