NEWI graduate business gains international success

A NEWI engineering graduate who won a Dragon’s Den style entrepreneurship competition has fulfilled his dream of running his own business. 

After winning the E-Factor competition, at NEWI, in which he had to pitch his business idea to a panel of judges Landry Awono made a life changing decision and put his prize money straight to work starting up the company. 

Along with two other NEWI engineering graduates, Bernhard Bonney and Andreas Gaede, he set up Protexx Engineering Ltd.   The business aims to bring affordable technology solutions to educational establishments and businesses in Africa and other developing countries. 

After months of hard work in product development and pitching for contracts the company has recently received its first big order.  The order is for a new product that the company has developed, the LB1001 electronic laboratory board.  The boards have been ordered by the College Vogt, a High School with a Higher Education College attached to it in Cameroon.  The boards will be used for students studying for the HNC in electrical engineering and will help them with conducting experiments.  Landry has gone to Cameroon in person to ensure everything goes smoothly with the all important first delivery. 

Prior to Landry’s departure the company organised an event to thank all the people involved in supporting them and helping them make a success of the business.  Landry said, “We have had so much support from staff at NEWI we wanted to hold an event to show them how the company is progressing and to thank them for all the hard work and support they have provided.” 

Professor Michael Scott, Principal of NEWI attended the event and congratulated the team on their hard work. He said “This is a fantastic example of a university in action, supporting graduates and putting research into applied manufacturing.  NEWI is committed to supporting its former students and this is a brilliant example of the support we give to graduates who want to start their own business.  Operational and academic staff have helped with all aspects of the business from funding applications to research and development, but this wouldn’t have happened without three such determined and dedicated graduates.  It is a truly international project and I am proud of what they are doing and NEWI’s involvement.”