Team Vanguard

Exeter students world finalists in Microsoft Imagine Cup for second year running

Three first year Business School students have reached the world finals of the 2014 Microsoft Imagine Cup, after winning the UK finals this week.

The world finals take place in Seattle in July and the winners take home $50,000. 

Guillaume de Boisséson (Business and Management), Femi Awamosu (Economics) and Mikky Adedeji (Business and Economics) worked together to design a new app called ‘Ripple’. The app allows users to connect with others close to them via simple instant messaging. The idea is that people will be able to send messages to anyone nearby without the need to ‘connect’ or become friends first.

Femi Aw explains further: “Our app could be used to find out if anyone nearby is interested in sharing a two-for-one deal for example, or a lift home. It could also be great for students in a lecture to check with others what’s just been said. We expect every Exeter student to have the app which is why we’re planning on a full launch in September in time for Freshers’ Week.”

The team – named Vanguard – will be hoping to emulate the success of last year’s winners, also from Exeter, who won the worldwide competition with their app called SoundSYNK. 

Date: 15 May 2014