Innovative projects ranging from an app to help children and adults learn the Maltese language to the manufacture and programming of drones to create aerial displays have won a total of €150,000 in the latest round of the TAKEOFF Seed Fund Award (TOSFA).

TOSFA provides seed grants between €2,500 and €25,000 to help startups and academics get their marketable ideas off the ground. It is run by the University of Malta’s (UM)Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business incubation, TAKEOFF Business Incubator and Knowledge Transfer Office, on collaboration with the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects and the Malta Digital Innovation Authority.

The programme has been running since 2014, with notable past awardees including craft beer producer Huskie, wedding service aggregator Get Hitched, and meal plan provider Fortify.

During the award ceremony held last month, UM Rector Professor Alfred J. Vella commented on the challenges that individuals or groups may face when trying to realise their vision, and describes the grant scheme as “a very valuable opportunity for researchers and entrepreneurs.”

Minister for Economy Silvio Schembri, MDIA CEO Kenneth Brincat and UM Rector Alfred J. Vella together with the beneficiares of the TAKEOFF Seed Fund Award. Image: University of Malta

This year’s beneficiaries include six startups and two research projects.

• Aurora Luminaria designs drone fleet setups for aerial displays, designing both the drone and the associated software. It won €25,000.

• Olly’s Adventures is a collaborative effort between UM academic and speech therapists to create a tool that facilitates the diagnosis of problems with children’s speech development through a game. It obtained €22,500.

• easyHome is a platform for people who want to sell and buy property, owners and agents alike, creating a centralised marketplace for local real estate. The idea got €13,750.

• ELM Fabrication seeks to employ a large gantry open frame 3D printer to fabricate products on-site, with one potential use being the development of bespoke booths for expos that can then be printed at the venue itself. It won €10,000.

• AffiDash will develop an innovative affiliate marketing dashboard, winning €13,750.

• Learnapy is a platform combining cutting-edge technology with engaging content to provide a modern learning experience for Maltese language learners. Designed for children and adults like, it includes a comprehensive curriculum and promotes language acquisition through immersion. It obtained €25,000.

The two research projects, winning €20,000 each, are QuadMill and PANACEA. QuadMill is developing a new tool to cut square holes in walls, for electrical switches and sockets, while PANACEA involves the extraction of olive oil.

“These funds are not just an investment in you and your project, but in our country, so that we continue advancing in advanced technologies,” said Economy Minister Silvio Schembri during the award ceremony, adding that the TOSFA programmes helps ensure that “Malta remains a beacon of progress and opportunity.”

Meanwhile, MDIA CEO Kenneth Brincat remarked that “when we look back at the projects funded in past years, we see startups that have grown into sustainable businesses, and their research has evolved into revolutionary discoveries.

“It’s also important to highlight that this is not simply about funding but is a sign of trust in the potential of innovators and researchers, in the growth of their innovations and ideas.”