GEMS Education announces winners of 2025 GEMS Global Innovation Challenge and Plug and Play Incubator

First Place: StridSense, GEMS Metropole School – Motor City (Dh15,000) – StridSense is a smart insole and companion app for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) detection that provides remote monitoring and gait analysis, addressing the lack of affordable monitoring and early detection for KOA.

Second Place: AudiMold, GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis (Dh10,000) – AudiMold is a customisable, high-quality hearing aid using 3D printing and bulk components for under $2 (Dh7.35), addressing the lack of affordable hearing aids. Open-source documentation allows upgrades.

Third Place: EcoSign, GEMS Modern Academy (Dh5,000) – EcoSign is an AI-powered sign language translation platform that uses dynamic gesture analysis, distinguishing it from static or hardware-based solutions.

First Place: SeeMate, GEMS Millennium School – Sharjah (Dh10,000) – SeeMate is an AI-powered app with an accessible interface and smart device integration that supports visually impaired users through real-time object recognition, text-to-speech reading, and navigation assistance, promoting independence and inclusivity.

Second Place: Smart Safety, GEMS Dubai American Academy (Dh5,000) – Smart Safety is an affordable and customisable smart helmet that protects workers by tracking environmental and health data, like temperature, humidity, and heart rate, sending Bluetooth alerts and using RGB lights to show safety levels.

Joint Third Place: NΞXUS (Soleil Bleu), The Millennium School – Dubai (Dh2,500) and AvengHers, GEMS Modern Academy (Dh2,500) – NΞXUS (Soleil Bleu) is sustainable, reef-safe clothing made from recycled and bamboo fibres that block 95% of UV rays, connected to an app for sun alerts and including biodegradable sunscreen pods – all for $50 (Dh183.63).

AvengHers combats microplastic pollution by collecting waste from water-land areas and converting it into 3D printer filament used to create artificial coral for reef restoration. The process reduces pollution, supports marine biodiversity, and promotes sustainable waste management.

Special Award – Youngest Entrepreneur: No Poverty, GEMS New Millennium School – Al Khail (Dh2,500) – No Poverty is an algae-based system that captures CO₂ from vehicles and converts it into oxygen, reducing emissions while driving, with the resulting biomass and kitchen waste compostable to create nutrient-rich fertiliser, supporting sustainable farming.

Engagement Award (The Conversation Catalyst): ReSoilution, GEMS World Academy – Dubai (Dh7,500) – ReSoilution is an AI-powered monitoring/restoration system that tackles global soil degradation threatening food security by using drone scans and a probe for real-time, location-specific soil data, offering a more scalable and affordable solution than lab tests.

Performance Award (The Execution Excellence): Eco Bloom, GEMS New Millennium School – Al Khail (Dh7,500) – Eco Bloom addresses environmental pollution and health hazards from disposable pads by building affordable, biodegradable pads using coconut-based materials and corn starch film, offering a unique sustainable composition compared to competitors.