| Azaraimy HH |
TO MOURN for someone who died in a tragic accident is ordinary, but to do something constructively to save the lives of possible victims of mishaps is extraordinary.
The tragic loss of a friend in a road accident motivated a group of young undergraduates to come up with a business plan to create a device for vehicles that instantly sends an automatic emergency notification to rescue agencies including time and location when an accident occurs.
The plan turned out to be an everlasting tribute to their departed comrade and won the hearts of judges at the IGNITE Entrepreneurship Challenge 2015 yesterday.
The group’s product called SGRA became the winner of the contest, beating the six more experienced finalists in an intense pitch, bagging $25,000 in prize money.
The team comprised first year undergraduates from Universiti Brunei Darussalam – Abdul Qawi bin Yahya, 19; Awangku Muhd Amiruzulhafiy bin Pengiran Adanan, 19; Zahirul Ghazi bin Jomari, 19, and a diploma student at Kolej IGS, Muhd Afiq Mu’taz Mutawalli bin Rusli, 18.
Zahirul Ghazi bin Jomari of the group told the media that they were surprised at and encouraged by winning the top prize as they were among the least experienced ones.
He said the group sees SGRA as an important device. Other than air cushions and safety belt, time for the rescue team to arrive at the scene during an accident is crucial in saving lives.
Open Category and $25,000 prize winners
“Our product is an accident detection device that instantly notifies emergency response teams right after an accident occurred. The notification will include exact location, time of accident and other important emergency details. The aim is to cut the time needed for emergency response teams to arrive at a scene.”
The device utilises modern technology including GPS system, he added.
Business wise, the first phase of the plan would be to establish a partnership with insurance companies as well as Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd (PCSB) in Brunei, Zahirul Ghazi revealed, adding that the prize money will help the group kick start the business.
“We are all young and experience is not in our strengths. So, we hope to work with iCentre to overcome the complexities of starting a technology business such as this. We also hope to partner with other more experienced companies in this field that can help us travel safer in our journey towards realising this important product,” Zahirul Ghazi said.
Explaining the birth of the idea for their plan, he said that “there have been a lot of cases where people lost their lives in tragic accidents. A friend of us, just 20 years old, died in a tragic accident late last year,” and this incident gave them a lot of thoughts and motivated them to do something about it.
“Opportunities comes and go and IGNITE is one of those that young people can use. Whenever there is an idea, don’t think negatively, just try to develop it. I believe an idea can change the world,” he said.
The biggest challenge is time management and students have to juggle efficiently between creative and academic tasks, Zahirul Ghazi added.
Coming in its 8th edition this year, the IGNITE Entrepreneurship Challenge is a business plan competition formulated by Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) to generate a pipeline for tech start-ups at iCentre. The final held yesterday at the new Design & Technology Building in Anggerek Desa saw an amazing array of plans that have big industry potential.
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