Thomas Mason scoops national award for innovation
News | Posted on Thursday 7 March 2024
Thomas Mason from York is among the award winners, aiming to revolutionise STEM education through his business venture.
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Thomas Mason, who is an electronic engineering student and Laidlaw Scholar Alumni from York has scooped a
national award from Innovate UK, the UK’s Innovation Agency. The prestigious award will support him to grow his
innovative business idea which aims to bridge gaps In STEM education and transform learning Into an Immersive,
hands-on journey with his STEM kits.
Building on the success of Innovate UK’s targeted programmes, like Women in Innovation and Young Innovators,
this latest funding is designed to find and support the fresh innovation talent the UK needs.
Thomas is among the 233 high-potential innovators who has been awarded a £15,000 grant and will also receive
12 months of tailored business support through Innovate UK Edge to help him grow, stimulating the UK’s
economy. Working alongside Innovation Growth Specialist Kris Keighley to open the Innovate UK Ecosystem,
Thomas will receive assistance from a wide range of specialists to build the most effective strategy to maximise
the potential of the innovative idea. “It’s an absolute pleasure to be helping Thomas bring his idea to life. It’s
important that young Innovators are given the support they need to become the next generation of Entrepreneurs
helping shape the economy. The Unlocking Potential Awards are a great step in helping Innovators from all
backgrounds to concentrate on bringing new products to market”.
Thomas said, "I am delighted to receive the award from Innovate UK. Countless high potential learners across the
world still cannot access the right resources to reach their full potential. The IET report on 'Addressing the STEM
skills shortage' states that the 'UK economy suffers a loss of roughly £1.5billion per year due to STEM skill
shortages.' The world is advancing but our teaching systems and curriculums are lagging behind. I want to
address these issues. STEM education needs to be accessible to anyone, anytime and anywhere - no matter their
background. My mission is to create an education hub filled with fun, engaging kits that utilise the power of the
digital world with a learn through play approach.
I want to also thank the Student Enterprise Manager, Sam Smith, on all his support so far too. His team in Careers
and Placement provide amazing initiatives for students looking to start their own business or test their ideas. I
hope this award inspires any students out there who are looking to start their own venture. The future is us and
university is a great time to start!"
national award from Innovate UK, the UK’s Innovation Agency. The prestigious award will support him to grow his
innovative business idea which aims to bridge gaps In STEM education and transform learning Into an Immersive,
hands-on journey with his STEM kits.
Building on the success of Innovate UK’s targeted programmes, like Women in Innovation and Young Innovators,
this latest funding is designed to find and support the fresh innovation talent the UK needs.
Thomas is among the 233 high-potential innovators who has been awarded a £15,000 grant and will also receive
12 months of tailored business support through Innovate UK Edge to help him grow, stimulating the UK’s
economy. Working alongside Innovation Growth Specialist Kris Keighley to open the Innovate UK Ecosystem,
Thomas will receive assistance from a wide range of specialists to build the most effective strategy to maximise
the potential of the innovative idea. “It’s an absolute pleasure to be helping Thomas bring his idea to life. It’s
important that young Innovators are given the support they need to become the next generation of Entrepreneurs
helping shape the economy. The Unlocking Potential Awards are a great step in helping Innovators from all
backgrounds to concentrate on bringing new products to market”.
Thomas said, "I am delighted to receive the award from Innovate UK. Countless high potential learners across the
world still cannot access the right resources to reach their full potential. The IET report on 'Addressing the STEM
skills shortage' states that the 'UK economy suffers a loss of roughly £1.5billion per year due to STEM skill
shortages.' The world is advancing but our teaching systems and curriculums are lagging behind. I want to
address these issues. STEM education needs to be accessible to anyone, anytime and anywhere - no matter their
background. My mission is to create an education hub filled with fun, engaging kits that utilise the power of the
digital world with a learn through play approach.
I want to also thank the Student Enterprise Manager, Sam Smith, on all his support so far too. His team in Careers
and Placement provide amazing initiatives for students looking to start their own business or test their ideas. I
hope this award inspires any students out there who are looking to start their own venture. The future is us and
university is a great time to start!"
• Innovate UK is delivering a £6.2 million boost to the UK’s future innovation leaders.
• 233 high-potential entrepreneurs from every nation and region of the UK receive funding and
tailored business support.
• 233 high-potential entrepreneurs from every nation and region of the UK receive funding and
tailored business support.
In line with the UK’s growing appetite for innovation, this new award programme was amongst the most highly
engaged funding competitions Innovate UK has ever delivered - with over 2,100 entrepreneurs applying
engaged funding competitions Innovate UK has ever delivered - with over 2,100 entrepreneurs applying
funding and business mentorship. There is an urgent need to transform the UK’s skills and talent pipeline, through
inspiring and connecting people to new opportunities and pathways into innovation. Innovate UK estimates that,
to achieve the UK’s full economic potential, 400,000 more innovators need to be supported, from entrepreneurs to
engineers.
Coinciding with the Awards announcement, Innovate UK has joined forces with over 150 partner organisations to
launch its free and accessible No Limits digital platform, which makes it easy for aspiring innovators to discover
new career paths, sharpen their skills and access opportunities to develop life-changing innovations and future-
proof the UK economy.
If you’re an aspiring innovator, or a business looking to connect with new talent, check out nolimits.ukri.org to
find support and inspiration.
inspiring and connecting people to new opportunities and pathways into innovation. Innovate UK estimates that,
to achieve the UK’s full economic potential, 400,000 more innovators need to be supported, from entrepreneurs to
engineers.
Coinciding with the Awards announcement, Innovate UK has joined forces with over 150 partner organisations to
launch its free and accessible No Limits digital platform, which makes it easy for aspiring innovators to discover
new career paths, sharpen their skills and access opportunities to develop life-changing innovations and future-
proof the UK economy.
If you’re an aspiring innovator, or a business looking to connect with new talent, check out nolimits.ukri.org to
find support and inspiration.
Notes to editors:
Notes to editors
To arrange to speak to the award winner, Thomas, please contact: hello@hyen.co.uk
Addressing the STEM skills shortage challenge report from the IET
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK’s innovation agency. It works to create a better future
by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. Its mission is to help
companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services,
supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.