TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY INNOVATION ACCELERATOR 2026: COHORT 1 DEMO DAY

06 October 2026

8:30AM - 1:00PM

LT 12, Taylor's Lakeside Campus

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The Taylor's University Innovation Accelerator (TUIA) Cohort 1 Demo Day marks the closing milestone of a 12-month innovation programme run by the Knowledge Transfer and Commercialisation Office, Research and Enterprise. Ten projects, selected from an original pool of 22 and refined through a structured capacity-building and incubation journey, will pitch their prototypes to a panel of seven industry judges.

 

The day brings together the cohort's researchers and postgraduate students with ecosystem partners, investors, grant agencies and university leadership, with the aim of pushing genuinely promising ideas closer to commercial reality. Prototype exhibition booths will run throughout the event, so there is space for conversations that do not fit into a five-minute pitch slot.

 

A year of mentorship, coaching and business-readiness work gets tested here, in front of people who can actually help take these projects further: funding partners, industry mentors, and grant agencies among them.

 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FEATURED PROJECTS EVENT SCHEDULE

Ten Live Pitches

Each of the ten shortlisted projects gets five minutes to pitch, followed by a five-minute question-and-answer session. This keeps the pace tight and means you will see a genuine cross-section of the cohort's work in a single morning.

A Panel of Seven Industry Judges

Projects are assessed against a set of award categories, including Best Pitch, Best Commercial Potential, Most Innovative Solution, Judges' Choice and Peoples' Choice. Both judge-led and audience-led categories mean recognition is not limited to whoever performs best on stage.

Exhibition Booths Throughout the Event

Beyond the pitching session, each project has a booth where attendees can look closer at the prototype, ask questions, and start conversations that a five-minute stage slot does not allow for.

Project TitleLead ApplicantSchoolFocus AreaProject Description
NANOFLEXAssoc. Prof. Priya MadhavanSchool of MedicineMedical and Health TechnologiesA nanotechnology-based formulation designed to improve the delivery of therapeutic compounds to the brain for potential applications in dementia and cognitive health.
PapLite ProProf. Dr. Chong Pei PeiSchool of BiosciencesMedical and Health TechnologiesAn interchangeable sampling tool designed to improve cervical visualization and simplify cervical cell collection.
Focus LensDr. Manee Sangaran A/L DiagarajanSchool of EngineeringMedical and Health TechnologiesSmart eyewear that combines visual modulation, sound therapy and app-based support to enhance focus and support ADHD management.
FitFuel StationAssoc. Prof. Dr. Chong Li ChooTaylor's Culinary InstituteMedical and Health TechnologiesAn AI-powered vending solution that provides freshly made, personalized high-protein snack bars based on individual nutritional needs.
QS NexusDr. Myzatul Aishah KamarazalySchool of Architecture, Building and DesignIT and Emerging TechnologiesAn interactive marker-based augmented reality (AR) solution that makes measurement and construction learning more accessible and engaging for AEC students.
BetapearlProf. Dr. Wong Eng HwaSchool of MedicineMedical and Health TechnologiesA dual-action biotherapeutic approach designed to support glucose control and accelerate diabetic wound healing.
SPATIAL5Dr. Bashira Mohd BaharSchool of Computer ScienceIT and Emerging TechnologiesA structured five-step approach that helps architecture students translate site analysis into efficient, user-focused spatial designs.
Nanocure MedigelDr. Kong Yeo LeeSchool of Liberal Arts and ScienceIT and Emerging TechnologiesUpcycling oil palm waste into high-purity nanocellulose to pioneer sustainable, next-generation advanced wound care and biomedical hydrogel solutions.

8:30AM - 9:00AM

Registration and Arrival of VIPs and Guests

Check-in for all attendees, including VIPs and guests, ahead of the formal programme.

9:00AM - 9:10AM

Welcoming Remarks by Emcee

The emcee opens the event and sets the tone for the day.

9:10AM - 9:15AM

Opening Address by Professor Barry Winn, Vice Chancellor of Taylor's University

A short address from the Vice Chancellor framing the significance of the programme and the day.

9:15AM - 9:25AM

Overview of TUIA Cohort 1 and Demo Day Briefing

A quick briefing on the TUIA programme's journey so far and how the Demo Day itself will run.

9:25AM - 11:30AM

Project Pitching Session

The main event: all ten projects deliver their five-minute pitches and take questions from the judging panel.

11:30AM - 12:15PM

Judges' Deliberation

The panel of seven industry judges deliberates and finalises the award decisions.

12:15PM - 12:45PM

Announcement of Winners and Awards Presentation by Professor Fadi Charchar, Pro-Vice Chancellor-Research of Taylor's University

Winners are announced and awards presented across the various categories.

12:45PM - 1:00PM

Closing Remarks, Networking Lunch, Exhibition Booth Run-Through

The formal programme closes, followed by lunch and a final chance to visit the exhibition booths.

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