Max Bateson, Bournemouth University BA (Hons) Product Design graduate was named this year’s Impact Entrepreneur of the Year and Health Champion at the Ingenuity Impact Showcase 2024. He won £18,000 in awards to fund and develop his start-up business, HYGGE, which aims to provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional care homes. Max has used his design knowledge as an Operations Analyst to develop a business idea which integrates modern technology, adaptable living spaces, and a supportive environment to support caregivers and improve the lives of the elderly.

Max participated in this year’s Ingenuity Impact Programme, run by the University of Nottingham and in partnership with Nuffield Health. The Ingenuity Programme provides start-up skills and training, networking, mentoring, and routes to funding for early-stage impact-driven businesses to make social, health and environmental change. This includes engaging with and supporting underserved and underrepresented groups both from within the university and its local communities.

He said: “Really happy to have gotten this far and to be able to present HYGGE. For me, the best part of this has been meeting so many people along the way who have been so great in offering expertise to help HYGGE. Working with Ingenuity has been great as every time I join a networking call in particular, I always get a new boost of motivation to push harder as I see so many people doing amazing things to offer a product or service to help others!”

Ian Jones Head of External Engagement at Bournemouth University said: “I am delighted with the outcome of the 2024 Ingenuity National Competition this year. Bournemouth University has been part of the programme for several years and we are incredibly proud of Max’s success. We look forward to supporting him with his future endeavours.”