Nexmve and Glumos, two student startup teams from Taylor’s University out of 209 partaking teams nationwide, recently won the MaGIC University Startup Challenge 2021, under the Technology-Driven Track organised by the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC).

Winning teams bagged cash prizes up to RM10,000 for product and market development use, continuous mentorship support opportunities through MaGIC Mentorship Programme, free 3 months hot-desking at MaGIC Co-working space, free online start-up tools, and access to join advanced programmes and initiatives offered. 

Both Nexmve and Glumos were mentored by Taylor’s University’s startup incubator, Bizpod, as part of the university’s Taylor’sphere ecosystem that aims to nurture students’ intellect, creativity and practical wisdom. 

Known for its “no-tie shoelaces” innovative comfort wear product, Nexmve won the pitch with a unique proposition which turns laced shoes into secured slip-ons. With only three components such as a secured lock, stretchy laces and a secured stopper, Nexmve solves the need for having to deal with untied shoelaces.

“Being confident with our business idea and participating in USC 2021 was an amazing experience to begin with as we learnt a lot more for our future developments. We feel honoured to win and are so glad to be given a chance to expand our company at an even faster pace with the given funds,” said Jizen Loh Iskandar, Team Leader of Nexmve and Taylor’s University Bachelor of Mass Communications student.

“Our goal is to finalise NEXLACE 3.0 and launch the product under our brand Nexmve into the market. Ultimately, we want to have a few products under our belt and position ourselves as an innovative active lifestyle brand that focuses on creating cutting edge comfort wear products that improve the lives of people,” added Jizen.

Glumos (formerly known as foundX) team leader and Taylor’s University Bachelors in Computer Science student, Sathish Varman, shared that his team’s winning pitch was aimed to reinvent hiring by creating a one-stop website that helps match employers with quality freelance and full-time developers.

According to Sathish, his team joined the competition as they saw an opportunity to learn more about Technopreneurship and network with successful entrepreneurs. 

As part of the 6-month virtual startup experience and pitching competition by MaGIC, participants like Jizen and Sathish gained first-hand experience through six content modules such as Ideation, Validation, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) / Prototype Development, Go-to-Market, Financials, and Pitching. 

Sathish expressed his gratitude for opportunities and experiences given to him, as he benefitted from the Taylor’sphere ecosystem.

“As we are still learning the fundamentals of software development and business, we had the mindset of what we have been taught through the Taylor’sphere ecosystem – a safe environment to ensure we fail fast and learn faster to keep up with the development and business demand. We will continue to improve our one-stop website that helps employers and job seekers search for both freelance and full-time software engineering-based jobs,” said Sathish.

To curate its Taylor’sphere ecosystem, Taylor’s University transformed its curriculum and pedagogy to ensure students will not only have the right knowledge and job skills but also essential life skills and social networks, to apply what they have learnt and find solutions to real-world problems, while making an impact on their communities.

Students are able to realise their entrepreneurial dreams by receiving guidance with ideation, prototyping, funding and product commercialisation under the mentorship of Taylor’s Me.reka Makerspace (TMM), BizPod, and Research & Enterprise.

BizPod is led by a team of experienced lecturers and entrepreneurs while being fully supported by successful mentors in the start-up industry. It focuses on helping students through a journey of entrepreneurship from the ideation stage to successfully growing and establishing a full-fledged startup, filling the gaps of an end-to-end solution chain by digital innovations and connecting students to investors and venture capitalists. 

“BizPod incorporates a startup culture on campus and is borne out of Taylor’sphere, a uniquely curated learning ecosystem and community that aims to future-proof students with the right skills and setting themselves up for the success in today’s world. Nexmve and Glumos showcased how they successfully applied their academic knowledge to the harsh realities of industrialisation and commercialisation, more so at an undergraduate level,” said Jessie Chong, Director of Bizpod. 

“Our holistic entrepreneurial ecosystem helps young and creative minds with a passion to create and turn their dreams into reality,” added Chong.

Other startups that have been successfully mentored by Bizpod include a smart parking app, Arrivo, that is now currently valued at RM5 mil, and Cultiv8, a brand that specialises in ready-to-eat meals and gourmet sauces.

Also within Taylor’sphere, student entrepreneurship and impact-driven projects are encouraged through embedded Social Innovation modules, multidisciplinary projects, access to labs and facilities to facilitate a campus-wide Makerspace, and Technopreneurship track options within certain degree programmes.

“Given the pandemic's impact where businesses are struggling financially and attempting to re-invent themselves, entrepreneurialism will fetch a premium. Graduates who demonstrate a growth mindset who can identify business value, take risks, innovate to seize business opportunities, and strengthen the businesses’ competitive advantage are what employers are looking for,” added Chong.

Jizen and Sathish both agreed with Chong.

“Taylor’s active encouragement in competitions allows students to put their skills and ideas to test which, in return, gives them the experience and confidence in what they do. Additionally, one can hone the skills of thinking outside the box in order to adapt and decide the best action for their business. I am confident that anyone who commits to this path through the Taylor’sphere ecosystem, will stand out from the rest and will be a valuable asset for their company,” Jizen revealed.

To find out more about Taylor’sphere, click here.