WEALTH June 22, 2026 0 Comments

How This AI-Powered Start-Up Just Disrupted Accessibility and Took the NovaUCD Crown — Here’s Why Investors Should Be Watching Closely

Ever wondered how smart glasses could do more than just look cool? Meet Auralink, the savvy startup that just snagged the top spot in the 2026 NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition at UCD. These bright minds aren’t just about tech for tech’s sake—they’re crafting an AI-powered assistive platform designed to boost safety and independence for those with visual impairments. Imagine real-time environmental sensing and navigation support, all delivered discreetly through audio feedback from a combo of smartphone software and smart glasses. And here’s the kicker: their innovation doesn’t just help users get around their living rooms; it tackles the real-world headaches of public transport and unfamiliar spaces alike. Co-founders Scott Nagle and Suyun Zheng have their eyes set on closing the accessibility gap—with ambitious plans to expand and refine their groundbreaking product. Curious about how they pulled this off and what’s next on their roadmap? Dive in and discover the story behind this game-changing venture. LEARN MORE.

Auralink has been announced as the overall winner of the 2026 NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition, a four-week accelerator programme for emerging companies at UCD.

The firm is developing an AI-powered assistive technology platform using smart glasses to enhance safety and independent for people with visual impairments.

By combining smartphone software and smart glasses, Auralinks aims to provide real-time environmental sensing, object recognition and navigation support through audio feedback.

The platform is being developed to assist users 24/7 in daily activities at home as well as navigating public transport and unfamiliar environments.

Following a final pitch to the judging panel, Auraink was named the winner of the €3,000 NovaUCD Watch Prize.

UCD students Scott Nagle, who recently completed his first year in Economics and History, and Suyun Zheng, who has completed her third year of a graduate entry programme in Medicine.

Zheng said, “While existing solutions provide valuable support for people with visual impairments, they offer limited information about the surrounding environment.

“Public transport for example remains challenging, especially when identifying platforms and reading timetables. We are focused on addressing this gap with software that runs on smartphones and smart glasses to make assistive technology more accessible in line with the UN SDGs of Good Health and Well-being and Reducing Inequalities.”

Nagle added: “We are now seeking funding support to help us to accelerate product development, user testing, pilot deployments and engagement with visually impaired communities in Ireland and internationally.

“We are also seeking mentors, industry connections and introductions to accessibility organisations, healthcare providers, transport operators and potential commercial partners.

“Such support would help us to refine our product, validate real-world impact and build a sustainable pathway to market to improve independence, safety and quality of life of people with visual impairments.”

The annual accelerator programme, which is now in its 12th year is delivered by NovaUCD, the university’s hub of start-up and innovation activities, as a framework to support UCD undergraduate and postgraduate students who want to develop and grow business ideas into start-ups.

The aim of the accelerator is to assist the students in refining their business ideas through a series of structured workshops, including taught content from industry experts, interactive workshops, regular mentoring and pitching sessions.

13 early-stage student ventures and 17 participants completed this year’s programme. Over the last 12-years some 105 early-stage ventures and 240 students have now completed NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competitions.

Simon Factor, senior manager of New Ventures, NovaUCD, said: “A key focus of this annual UCD accelerator programme is to provide the participating undergraduate and postgraduate students with the skills, the confidence, and the opportunity to further refine their ideas and hopefully in time launch start-ups at home and further afield.”

“The pitches delivered at NovaUCD by the enthusiastic students, on a range of business ideas from AI-powered Assistive Technology to EdTech to MedTech to Sustainability to Robotics, were all excellent, and I would like to congratulate all the participants for successfully completing this year’s programme.

“I would especially like to congratulate Auralink on being named the overall winner and I wish Scott and Suyun every success as they progress their new venture in the months ahead.”

The four-week accelerator, which used the Lean Startup and Business Model Canvas approach, included a series of structured and interactive workshops delivered by Raomal Perera, lean disruptor.

Topics covered included customer development; value proposition; working in teams; design thinking; prototyping, environment mapping; financial planning; effective fundraising and pitching.

The members of the final judging panel were Dominik Leisi, investment manager, Atlantic Bridge; Susanne L’Estrange, New Frontiers programme manager, IADT Media Cube; Michael O’Dea, senior advisor, start-ups, Enterprise Ireland and Simon Factor, chair of NovaUCD.

Photo: (l-r) Suyun Zheng and Scott Nagle. (Pic: Supplied)