Patents on the soles of your shoes...: EPO Inventor Awards - The 2023 Young Inventor Finalists (3)

Thursday, May 25, 2023

EPO Inventor Awards - The 2023 Young Inventor Finalists (3)

Since 2022, the jury of the European Inventor Awards also selects three young inventors (<30), recipients of cash prizes, whose inventions tie into the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN SDGs are the backbone of an ambitious United Nations 15-year program, designed to end world poverty. Launched at the turn of the 21st century, the program was initially driven by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Upon evaluation of the MDGs, the popular program was then re-launched in 2015, for another 15 years, with 17 new goals for sustainable development, until 2030. Adopted by the 193 member states of the United Nations, the SDGs offer a framework of clearly identifiable and measurable goals, in global partnership with civil society and government agencies.

The following three young inventors were selected as finalists. Their ranking will be announced during the July 4th 2023, European Inventor Awards Ceremony. 20000 Euros, 10000 Euros and 5000 Euros will be awarded respectively to the first, second, and third prize winners.

The contestants hail from Kenya, Portugal, and Ireland. Their inventions are unpatented.

Richard Turere (Kenya - KE)

Invention: Lion Lights™ - solar-powered LED lights, programmed to flash in randomly selected patterns, both to prevent lions from attacking livestock, and farmers from killing lions in defense of livestock. The invention thus also contributes to saving lions from extinction in Kenya.

Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 15 - Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.