A YOUNG entrepreneur from Basingstoke who developed a product to reduce risks at construction sites has won a national award for his innovation.

Jamie Tong, 24, who lives in Fleet, has won a £5,000 grant, one-on-one business coaching and an allowance to cover living costs for his efforts in launching his company Scannetix.

A building service engineer for a company working on a project in Woking, Jamie is working outside his office to build his design.

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“I’m a bit nervous but mostly excited,” Jamie said.

“I will definitely be more excited when the product is built. I feel incredibly lucky to be on the pathway with Innovate UK.

“I want to make a difference with my product. It is created to save many lives in the construction industry.”

Jamie, who grew up in Singapore and Swindon, moved to Basingstoke two and half years ago as part of his job.

He started his works on Scannetix out of the back of a scholarship he did with the Worshipful Company of Constructors.

“Currently we are working on a device that is designed to create the new gold standard of safety on site when working with utility services and at present, we are working towards securing our first large investment to design and build a Minimal Viable Product,” Jamie said.

Now with the sponsorship from Innovate UK, he is hoping to take his business idea to the next level.

Seven of this year’s Young Innovator Award winners are from South East England. They join 56 other young people aged 18 to 30 with ideas to change the world.

The Young Innovators Awards recognise young people from across the UK with great business ideas who have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs and future leaders in innovation.

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Indro Mukerjee, CEO of Innovate UK, said: “The innovation potential of this young age group is incredible. It’s a cohort that promises to bring energy, entrepreneurial flair and fresh perspectives to today’s big challenges. Our young innovators are also relatable role models, inspiring and showing the path to others, as they create economic and societal benefits through innovation – so that we can all see a fairer, more resilient and more productive society”.

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