Maynooth University Student wins big at Alltech National Student Innovation Competition
Last night saw the national finals of the Alltech Student Innovation Awards which took place in Alltech’s HQ in Dunboyne. Representing Maynooth University was Peter Lillis a 3rd year biology student who is already an award-winning serial entrepreneur. Peter was declared runner-up and was presented with a cheque for €1000.
Speaking after the competition, Peter said: "I'm so pleased to have been able to represent my university, the whole experience was amazing. This whole venture wouldn't have been possible without the support of MU Biology department, especially Dr Kevin Kavanagh who gave me access to the labs and assisted me. I'd also like to thank the EDEN centre, especially Dr Peter Robbins, for encouraging me to pursue my idea. I'm so happy to have presented my ideas and been given so much useful advice and so many contacts for the future."
Peter’s big idea is a way to synthesise Kopi Luwak (and for those of you that haven’t heard of that, it’s the world’s most expensive coffee that sells for €75 a cup!). Currently, Kopi Luwak is harvested from the faeces of the Civit monkey in Java. The coffee’s taste is so rich and attractive and its price so high that unscrupulous traders are starting to exploit and subvert the business just like the fur or ivory trade. Peter’s idea will circumvent this unsustainable (and illegal) practice and will allow this fantastic coffee to be synthetically produced.
The final takes the format of a Dragon’s Den pitch to a panel of judges all with an international reputation for business, technology and science. Speaking after the event, the judges spoke very highly of Peter himself and his idea. They said that his idea was imaginative and had great potential. But their especial praise was reserved for Peter himself who they said spoke with an authority and clarity that did immense credit to him and to his university.
The finals of Maynooth University’s Eden Centre Student Entrepreneurship Challenge are drawing near with the leading four projects doing battle for the first prize on April 29th. Anyone with a promising idea should log on here – the deadline is Friday!