UMInnovate

Let's entre the new year with a powerful reminder that innovation has no age or limits! ✨ Take 15-year-old Albert Sadacca, who revolutionised Christmas lights as we know them! In 1917, after a tragic fire caused by lit candles, he began selling "pre-strung" multicoloured lights. His innovation not only made holiday decorating safer, but also led to the creation of his business, the OMA Electric Company, which became the world's largest Christmas lighting company. 💡 ⭐ We should take a page from his book, and embrace our own capacities for innovation! ⭐

Even during Christmas, there's always a reason to celebrate innovation! ✨ Innovation shines brightest when we think outside the box just like the first artificial Christmas tree! It was created in Germany in the 19th century using dyed goose feathers. This invention was driven by environmental concerns, as deforestation from cutting down live trees for holiday celebrations had become a significant issue. UM Innovation honours the spirit of ingenuity by the pushing boundaries of innovation. Here's to a season of creativity and progress! 🎄✨ This is our gift to all our followers and the great people we featured this year: Andre Micallef, Alec Fenech, Thomas Galea, Gareth Blundell, Mark Micallef, Miguel Micallef, Vincent Buhagiar, Alexiei Dingli, Claudia Borg, Byron Baron, Edward Blake, Luke Cassar, Tracey Camilleri, Kenneth Camilleri, Christian Camenzuli, Josef Attard, John Borg, Jonathan C. Borg, Pierre Schembri-Wismayer MD PhD, Jean Calleja-Agius, Jes Attard, Yesenia Aquilina, Rachel Cauchi, Christian von Brockdorff, Emanuele Aliotta, Robert Camilleri, Stephanie Bezzina Wettinger, Jessica Camilleri, Ruben Gatt, Keith M. Azzopardi, Matthew Montebello,PhD, Marlon Galea, David Vella, Jason Gauci, Lydin Camilleri, Luca Bondin, Ph.D, Joseph Buhagiar, Jean Callus, Richard Muscat Merry Christmas from the UMInnovate team

Can true growth happen outside the comfort zone? ✨ 💡 Well, Mr Andre Micallef, Mr Alec Fenech, Mr Thomas Galea, and Mr Gareth Blundell just proved that true growth CAN happen outside the comfort zone with ICECAP Systems. Moving beyond the convenience of the lab, they stepped onto the global stage at the electronicaFair in Messe Muenchen, showcasing their invention and vision to over 70,000 attendees, and 2,000 exhibitors. By putting their technology out there, testing it in front of the crowd, and embracing feedback they showed their courage, which paid off in ways that go far beyond the competition. Not only did they gain insights and important connections, they also made lasting friendships with fellow innovators like SpeedPox GmbH, BTRY, and Banyan.eco. This is what innovation looks like: taking risks, learning, growing, and thriving in front of the world. We can all draw inspiration from them and their journey ✨ A huge thanks to Elektor International Media for creating such an important opportunity and to their supporters University of Malta, Xjenza Malta and BLUESHAPE for believing in them! 💡 #KnowledgeValorisation #Innovation #electronicaFair #Technology

It’s not every day you see academics step out of their comfort zones to turn their research into something tangible ✨.  That’s why it’s so inspiring to see University of Malta academics, Professor Mark Micallef, from the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology , Mr Miguel Micallef, a visiting lecturer from the Faculty of Health Science, and Professor Vincent Buhagiar from the Faculty for the Built Environment, step forward and join the SPIN: Rise Pre-Incubation Programme hosted at the University of Ljubljana, delivered by EIT Digital, and thanks to the valuable contribution of its Maltese local partner, MALTAccelerate. They didn’t have to take this step - many might have chosen to stay within the familiar boundaries of their research. But they dared to go further. By stepping beyond the boundaries of their work, they showed a rare kind of ambition and explored something bigger ✨ 👏. That is what makes their decision so inspiring: they did not settle for the status quo. Instead, they embraced the opportunity to learn, grow and bring their ideas closer to the real world 💡 🌍. Here is the amazing part: they are people like us—busy, passionate, and full of questions. Yet they proved that with the right support and guidance, the journey from research to reality isn’t just possible—it’s transformational. They are a powerful reminder of how important it is to keep advancing, no matter where you are in your career. These academics did not just stop at their expertise – they pushed further, showing us the value of stepping out of our comfort zones. Maybe we can all take a page from their book and ask ourselves: What more can I do to turn my knowledge into impact? 🤔 #Knowledgevalorisation #Innovation #Research #SPINRise #EITDigital #UniversityOfMalta #UniversityOfLjubljana

Exciting times ahead! 🚀 Celebrate with us as we honour the innovators and entrepreneurs shaping the future at the TOSFA Award ceremony! The Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects (MEEP), alongside the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, University of Malta and supported by the Knowledge Transfer Office & the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation, is thrilled to host the TOSFA Award Ceremony. This event celebrates the recipients of the Seed Fund grants, designed to provide essential funding for new commercial and social ventures. 🎉 Among this year's award winners are Profs. Alexiei Dingli with the PRECISE project, and Prof. Claudia Borg, leader of the MASRI+, who are both recipients of the TOSFA 2023 cycle. We also celebrate Prof. Byron Baron with MetPepAssay and Prof. Joseph Buhagiar with RAPIHeal, who are reciepients of the TOSFA 2022 cycle. ⭐ TAKEOFF Business Incubator Let’s support innovation and entrepreneurship in Malta! 💡For more information check out: https://lnkd.in/d4AtWQBZ #Innovation #TOSFAAwards #Entrepreneurship #KnowledgeValorisation

Take your innovative solutions to the next level with the MaltaClimAccelerator! The Malta ClimAccelerator returns this year with a special emphasis on the Blue Economy! By participating, you’ll gain access to equity investors offering up to €1.5 million in funds, opportunities for public funding, international collaborations for joint research and development projects, exclusive workshops and expert mentoring, and the access to cutting-edge tools to assess the climate, and the environmental impact of your solution. In addition, enjoy three fully funded residential weeks in Malta with access to top-tier offices and laboratories, pitching your innovative solutions at Demo Day and compete for valuable cash and service prizes and the benefit from the option of signing the 50K Climate-SAFE investment agreement with EIT Climate-KIC. Apply by: 30 September 2024 Duration: November 2024 – March 2025, hybrid delivery (online / Malta) Apply here: https://lnkd.in/ddKf_dKy For more information: https://lnkd.in/d_vrUMix   Join the Blue Economy ClimAccelerator Malta and shape a sustainable future for our oceans. MALTAccelerate Climate-KIC Climate-KIC Community ClimAccelerator Malta Digital Innovation Authority Island Innovation F6S #BlueTech #StartupAccelerator #Innovation #ClimateChange #BlueEconomy #SustainableFuture #Oceans #MaltaClimAccelerator #KnowledgeValorisation

Two young researchers stormed their way into the Top 10 presenters in Europe at the EIT Jumpstarter programme! 🎉 Join us in applauding Edward Blake and Luke Cassar of TargetMI for their outstanding accomplishment. This remarkable achievement not only highlights their dedication, innovative spirit and eagerness to learn but also the willingness to step out of their comfort zone of research to explore the challenging territory of research commercialisation, with support from András Havasi, RTTP! 💡 🌍 This notable triumph is a significant step forward, propelling TargetMI’s business plan forward, bringing them closer to transforming this outstanding research into tangible, real-world solutions – building on the globally unique 10-year extensive database on Maltese patients with heart problems. This is yet another testament to the outstanding potential of the TargetMI team, brilliantly led by Stephanie Bezzina Wettinger 🔬 🌟 Good luck advancing to Phase 2 of the program Edward and Luke! 🚀 #innovation #knowledgevalorisation #TargetMI #EITJumpstarter #BusinessGrowth University of Malta

A UM student has successfully secured a spot at the EUIPO - European Union Intellectual Property Office, among a select group of talented European candidates! 🎉 Karl Micallef who has recently graduated with a Master of Advocacy, has been selected for the EUIPO traineeship as part of the Pan-European Seal Training Programme, in Alicante Spain! 🌍 The PES Traineeship Programme is a fantastic bridge between academia and the professional world, spanning fields like IP, law, finance, business, engineering and more, with a mission to enhance and share knowledge about intellectual property. From all of us at UMInnovate, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Karl and wish him the best of luck! ✨ If you’re interested in learning more about the programme, check out our previous post 👉 https://lnkd.in/dAgWS8Nw #UniversityofMalta #EUIPO #europe #knowledgevalorisation #paneuropeansealprogramme #opportunities #intellectualproperty

Discover how this innovative technology is empowering people with mobility issues ✨ Imagine if, with just a glance, you could control your computer, send messages or connect with your loved one. EyeCon, an innovative application is making this a reality for people with limited mobility, giving them a more accessible and independent way to connect! 👁 💻 We extend our congratulations to Nathaniel Barbara, Tracey Camilleri, and Kenneth Camilleri for being granted the UK patent for EyeCon. Developed in collaboration with 88 - Advancing business through technology., EyeCon is an assistive communication application that allows people with mobility impairments to control computer interfacing through eye movement. EyeCon is funded by the Xjenza Malta under the Fusion Research and Innovation Technology Development Programme. Learn more and get the latest updates on their Facebook page: https://lnkd.in/d7wARegF