VeinWatch by LKC FES students wins third place in DB-SNUbiz Global Startup Challenge

A team of Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) students, with their project, titled VeinWatch, won third place at the DB-SNUbiz Global Startup Challenge, organised by DB Kim Jun Ki Cultural Foundation, and Seoul National University (SNU) Business School from 7 to 11 August 2023 in Seoul, South Korea.

The “What The Health” team consisted of Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering with Honours Tan Xuan Qing (team leader), Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering with Honours Lew Yanzhe, Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering with Honours Teoh Jia Jing, and Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering with Honours Chua Kai Wei. They won USD1,000, certificates, and fully sponsored travel tickets and accommodation in Korea.

Tan enthused, “This is our first time being awarded at a global start-up competition. With our last experience pitching in Germany, we prepared a lot for this Korea trip. We advanced our prototype from a wood-made casing to a more aesthetic 3D-printed casing. We also refined our pitching content to a more presentable story-telling experience. Most importantly, I had a great partner, Yanzhe who continuously motivated our team to progress forward, and of course, the rest of the team members, who provided support along the way.”

He added, “I am grateful that nowadays there are a lot of competitions provided for university students around the world. Participating in these competitions has not only enabled us to learn about startups, but to also explore different countries and meet new friends. The judges were quite straightforward, but they reminded us to continuously provide valuable customer experience.”

Lew commented, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my teammates for the fantastic achievement we secured in the DB-SNUbiz competition. Winning third place is a remarkable feat and a testament to our hard work and dedication. Even though I could not be there in person due to my recent graduation, I watched with immense pride as they represented our team with passion and professionalism. Our efforts not only earned us recognition, but also strengthened our team’s unity and potential. Therefore, I thank each of my teammates for their tireless work, late nights, and unwavering commitment. I am incredibly proud of my team, and I believe this is just the beginning of our journey to greater success.”

Teoh expressed, “To be exposed to entrepreneurial opportunities and learning experiences was an eye-opening experience. Listening to every team’s project was also inspiring, as I learned different perspectives and knowledge. I am grateful that our team won a prize, and I am grateful to my teammates.”

Chua said, “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my teammates. Working alongside such an incredible group of individuals has been an inspiring journey, and I want them to know how much I appreciate all of them. Our dedication, hard work, and unwavering support for each other have made our team a force to be reckoned with. Through challenges and triumphs, we've grown together, learnt from one another, and achieved remarkable results that we can all be proud of. I am thankful for the camaraderie we share, the innovative ideas that flow freely, and the collaborative spirit that defines our team. Together, we have achieved more than we ever could have individually, and that is a testament to the power of teamwork. So, here’s to each one of you: for your passion, your commitment, and your invaluable contributions. Let’s continue to strive for excellence and reach new heights together. Our journey is far from over, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have all of you by my side. Thank you for being amazing teammates.”

VeinWatch is a small-sized vein finder that helps medical professionals locate veins for patients. The inspiration behind the project was to solve the problem of needle insertion failure, and it can be used in general hospitals, clinics, and other medical settings. With the latest version of the prototype, the team was able to place it on top of their hands during the projection. However, the team is looking into reducing its size to a watch size.

The team said, “We believe that UTAR has played a crucial role in our achievement of winning this award. Firstly, UTAR provided us with mentors who guided us throughout the competition and helped us refine our ideas and develop a winning strategy. Additionally, UTAR accepted us into the UTAR Incubator programme, which provided us with access to resources and support that helped us to develop our project. The guidance and support provided by our mentors, Dr Aloysius Yapp from the Centre for Immersive Technology and Creativity, and Dr Hau Lee Cheun from LKC FES were instrumental in the development of our winning project, VeinWatch. Without this support, it would have been much more difficult for us to develop and refine our ideas and ultimately win the award. Furthermore, the experience of working with mentors and participating in the Incubator programme coordinated by Ms Lee Yan Yin from the Unovate Centre, has provided me with valuable insights and skills that we will carry forward into our future endeavours. Overall, we are grateful for UTAR’s support and resources, which have contributed significantly to our achievement of winning this award.”

According to the team, VeinWatch has practical applications in medical settings, where medical professionals need to locate veins for procedures such as blood tests, IV insertions, and other medical procedures that require access to veins. The project also has a significant societal impact, as it reduces the pain and discomfort that patients experience during needle insertions. This device can improve the overall patient experience during medical procedures and make healthcare more accessible for people who are afraid of needles.

VeinWatch is related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being, as it aims to improve the experience of patients during medical procedures by reducing pain and discomfort. The project also aligns with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as it is an innovative device that has practical applications in medical settings.

The DB-SNUbiz Global Startup Challenge 2023 is a start-up competition for college students and postgraduate students, who are selected from top universities in Asian countries. This competition was created to help realise the dreams of talented Asian college students, who are on track to become future leaders in business and technology, and lay the foundation for fostering higher ideals.