Bloodstain Analysis wins Entrepreneurship Competition
Bloodstain Analysis is the winner of the 2006 University of Canterbury Entrepreneurial (entré) $40K Challenge.
Sean Holland, Guy Horrocks, and Oliver Robinson, were inspired by an ESR forensic scientist who realised that the
techniques currently used to analyse blood and spatter patterns are technologically archaic. Under the guidance of
forensic scientists and the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Canterbury, they have developed a
product to revolutionise the investigation of bloodstain origin at crime scenes.
The product is an automated forensic data collection tool. It uses digital photography and sophisticated software
techniques to allow quick and accurate analysis of blood and other spatter patterns to make forensic investigations of
crime scenes more efficient.
Bloodstain Analysis has won $20,000 seed capital and tenure in the Canterbury Innovation Incubator worth $20,000 to turn
an idea they think will “cause shockwaves in the forensics community worldwide” into a viable business.
Runner-up was Ocean Logic, a consumer focused website that intends to supply businesses with a niche service that, if
proved successful in Christchurch, will be taken nation-wide. Steve Guinness and Ben Jepsen envision the long-term
success of this venture to be comparable with Trademe. They have won $10,000 seed capital to kick-off their business.
Peter John, representing the judging panel for the $40K Challenge, said that passion was a big part of the judges’
decision, in addition to business ideas that have clear market potential and provide solutions to everyday problems.
“The judges were impressed by the teams who showed real passion and drive to make their business happen. The winning
team solved a genuine problem faced by end-users, and the emphasis of the Bloodstain Analysis on identifying and solving
this problem was pleasing.”
The first round of the $40K Challenge attracted over 25 entries. Eight finalists were selected from this pool to go
through to the second round of the competition.
Peter John said that the diversity of ideas this year was wide-ranging, and even though the competition is only in its
second year it is well established at the university and is now well placed to build on these foundations in coming
years .
Background
entré is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canterprise Limited, the entrepreneurial business arm of Canterbury University. A
organising committee of 16 students organises, markets and runs entré, with mentoring support from an advisory board.
Andrew Stace, 2006 Chief Executive Officer of entré, says it was great to see such strong growth in entry numbers and
involvement in the competition from students across all disciplines this year.
Both the flagship $40K Challenge and the introductory business plan competition, the $10K Challenge, experienced strong
interest from students; this interest was translated into good ideas when the time came to submit venture summaries
during the year.
“The best ideas were the one’s that tackled real problems in novel and innovative ways, and looked to create value for
the customer.”
Stace said that the ongoing support of entré’s sponsors is a fantastic endorsement for the potential of ideas coming out
of universities today. “It’s great to see businesses of this calibre getting in behind entré. In addition to financial
support, our sponsors offer the mentors, judges and seminar speakers that make entré possible”.
Stace said that entré surpassed its sponsorship target this year with support from Platinum Sponsors: national and
trans-Tasman law firm Duncan Cotterill; international financial services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers; international
professional services company GHD; information technology firm IBM New Zealand Ltd; and the government’s economic
development agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
“We are trying to inspire university students to really think about where they can create value, where their ideas could
lead and to have the confidence to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams” says Andrew Stace.
Six finalists
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
Sean Holland, Guy Horrocks and Oliver Robinson
Our product is an automated forensic data collection tool. Using digital photography and sophisticated software
techniques, it allows analysis of blood and other spatter patterns quickly and accurately thus enhancing forensic
investigations of crime scenes. This product was inspired by an ESR forensic scientist, who has realized that the
techniques currently used are technologically archaic. We have been developing a product to revolutionize the
investigation of bloodstain origin at crime scenes.
Ocean Logic
Steve Guinness and Ben Jepsen
This is an exciting internet based venture which focuses on supplying businesses with a niche service. We intend to
launch the website within several months using the Christchurch region as a test market. If the venture proves
successful within Christchurch, we intend to grow to a national level followed by a careful diversification strategy.
The venture is also attributed with distinct international potential through franchising, which only adds to the already
generous revenue model.
Small Computer Devices
Leo Schuler and Phillip Hof
Engineers and students alike, in the field of engineering, robotics, and mechatronics have the need to interface to the
real world. Using electronic signals to connect control systems and sensors, they design software programs to interact
with and manipulate the environment. At present, this approach is cumbersome, as it needs specialized and therefore
expensive hardware, which requires specialist knowledge to work with.
There is a strong need for a new style of computer, which fulfils these needs. It should be small, easy to use, with
high availability. Small Computer Devices, a recently founded venture, is about to develop a mixed signal device, called
"Amica computer". It offers 32-bit embedded performance, ultra portability, vast extensibility and extended battery life
as well as programming on the go. It features an interface to communicate to the real world via analogue and digital
signals.
SMS DJ
Robert Turner, Micheal Lazelle, Jonas Hodel and George Jenkins
Imagine an event where the audience fully participates in the entertainment maximising the listener's enjoyment. The SMS
DJ provides a fully integrated service that makes this vision a reality through a sophisticated and fully supported
software and hardware package. SMS DJ can make a positive difference to your event. SMS DJ - You Decide.
STIG Welding
William Hanbury-Webber, Shaun Radley and Ben Fergusson
Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is a specialised process requiring trained operators and highly specialised equipment.
Maintenance of this equipment is paramount to safe and efficient operation, and several methods exist for the sharpening
of the welding tip (the most common maintenance issue). The new proposed product will result in faster maintenance of
the welding tip, and ensure time and money is saved.
This product has international applications as TIG welding is a standardised method the world over, and this maintenance
issue affects all the same. By producing a cheaper solution to this global problem this product will become standard in
many commercial and training facilities.
4N6 Computer Forensics Steve Sarjean and Brendon Kelly
The 4N6 venture is the development of a next-generation Computer Forensic Tool, designed for use by law enforcement
teams, private companies and home users, to gather evidence of intentional misuse or criminal activities on computer
systems.
The tool will be entirely software based, created by two computer science graduates. The software will provide the
ability to recover deleted/broken files, create a timeline of events, analyse alternative media, analyse email/web
browser history, intelligently identify evidence, and detect the use of counter-forensic tools. The first edition of the
tool will be aimed at the home market, specifically parents and caregivers, for identification of misuse of their home
computers. Subsequent editions will target government and private institutions, for identification of criminal
activities and breaches of company policy.
For contact details visit www.entre.co.nz