13th October 2000

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Two University of Ulster students have received a top entrepreneurial award. NIBEC postgrads Davide Mariotti and Mario Ascencao, scooped £10K at a gala ceremony in Belfast announcing the Investment Belfast Entrepreneurship Award for Proboscis, their artificial oral gas analysis diagnostic device.

Davide and Mario’s invention enables medics to quickly analyse the gases in human breath. The results can give valuable information about diseases like cirrhosis, lung cancer, diabetes and more.

The pair received their cheque from Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment at a gala ceremony in Belfast City Hall this week. The award was judged on the basis of a business plan submitted to a panel of judges.

NIBEC’s Professor John Anderson said: " As head of school I was delighted at the award, and I congratulate Davide and Mario on their achievements. It was particularly gratifying to see that three of the final projects – including the ultimate winner – chosen for the Investment Belfast award ceremony came from NIBEC

"The award reflects our expertise and international recognition in technology transfer her at NIBEC and is a product of the close association our research endeavours have with present and future industrial development in the Province.

"NIBEC has along history of innovation and development in the healthcare field, from work on catheters, cardiac mapping, and new carbon-based diamond-like coatings for sensors.

We have extensive links with the industry and healthcare community, and have been responsible for major developments in the industrial base here in Northern Ireland."

Congratulating the winners, Sir Reg Empey said: "There is an abundance of young talent going through our universities and the Investment Belfast Entrepreneurship Award has successfully targeted some of that talent which now needs to be harnessed. "To ensure that a successful enterprise culture is created, there is a need for more people to take the risk and consider setting UD in business. I believe that Northern Ireland has an intensive network of support for anyone considering He added: "Northern Ireland is also becoming an attractive market for venture capitalists which have demonstrated their commitment through sponsorship and involvement with this award scheme. "Innovation does not simply apply to hi-tech industries. Many companies in our traditional sectors have benefited from being innovative in their approach to modernising their businesses. It is about constantly monitoring the way businesses are organised and keeping ahead of the competition."

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk