Smart glasses and audio-led navigation system aims to transform independence for people with visual impairments.
Auralink, a Dublin-based start-up developing AI-powered assistive technology for the visually impaired has been named “One to Watch” at this year’s NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition.
The business, founded by UCD students Scott Nagle and Suyun Zheng, secured the overall prize following a four-week accelerator programme that culminated in a series of final pitches before an industry judging panel.
“While existing solutions provide valuable support for people with visual impairments, they offer limited information about the surrounding environment”
Auralink is building a platform that integrates smartphone software with smart glasses to provide real-time environmental sensing, object recognition and navigation support through audio feedback.
The system is designed to support users at home and in public settings, including navigating transport systems and unfamiliar environments.
The team received the €3,000 NovaUCD One to Watch Prize in recognition of their concept and early progress.
A sound vision for AI
The members of the Auralink team are UCD students, Scott Nagle, who has just completed his 1st year undergraduate studies in Economics and History and Suyun Zheng who has just completed her 3rd year graduate entry programme in Medicine.
“I am delighted that Auralink has been named the winner of the One to Watch prize at the conclusion of the 2026 NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competition, especially as the pitches delivered by our fellow programme participants were excellent and of a very high standard,” said Nagle.
Suyun Zheng, added: “While existing solutions provide valuable support for people with visual impairments, they offer limited information about the surrounding environment. Public transport for example remains challenging, especially when identifying platforms and reading timetables. We are focused on addressing this gap with software that runs on smartphones and smart glasses to make assistive technology more accessible in line with the UN SDGs of Good Health and Well-being and Reducing Inequalities.”
Nagle, added:“We are now seeking funding support to help us to accelerate product development, user testing, pilot deployments and engagement with visually impaired communities in Ireland and internationally. We are also seeking mentors, industry connections and introductions to accessibility organisations, healthcare providers, transport operators and potential commercial partners. Such support would help us to refine our product, validate real-world impact and build a sustainable pathway to market to improve independence, safety and quality of life of people with visual impairments.”
The annual accelerator programme, which is now in its 12th year is delivered by NovaUCD, the University’s hub of start-up and innovation activities, as a framework to support UCD undergraduate and postgraduate students who want to develop and grow business ideas into start-ups.
The aim of the accelerator is to assist the students in refining their business ideas through a series of structured workshops, including taught content from industry experts, interactive workshops, regular mentoring and pitching sessions.
Thirteen early-stage student ventures and 17 participants completed this year’s programme. Over the last 12-years some 105 early-stage ventures and 240 students have now completed NovaUCD Student Enterprise Competitions.
Simon Factor, Senior Manager, New Ventures, NovaUCD said, “A key focus of this annual UCD accelerator programme is to provide the participating undergraduate and postgraduate students with the skills, the confidence, and the opportunity to further refine their ideas and hopefully in time launch start-ups at home and further afield.”
“The pitches delivered at NovaUCD by the enthusiastic students, on a range of business ideas from AI-powered Assistive Technology to EdTech to MedTech to Sustainability to Robotics, were all excellent, and I would like to congratulate all the participants for successfully completing this year’s programme. I would especially like to congratulate Auralink on being named the overall winner and I wish Scott and Suyun every success as they progress their new venture in the months ahead.”
He concluded: “Building on our success in delivering the Student Enterprise Competition over the last 12-years we are currently in the process of hiring a Student Entrepreneurship Programme Manager to join the NovaUCD team. The successful candidate will focus on spearheading the launch and delivery of a new 3-year pilot programme designed to be the heartbeat of student innovation on the UCD campus, building a world-class ecosystem where student ambition meets venture-building support, and cultivating a vibrant community that bridges the gap between campus curiosity and commercial reality.”
The 4-week accelerator, which used the Lean Startup and Business Model Canvas approach, included a series of structured and interactive workshops delivered by Raomal Perera, Lean Disruptor. Topics such as, customer development; value proposition; working in teams; design thinking; prototyping, environment mapping; financial planning; effective fundraising and pitching, will be covered.
The members of the final judging panel were; Dominik Leisi, Investment Manager, Atlantic Bridge; Susanne L’Estrange, New Frontiers Programme Manager, IADT Media Cube; Michael O’Dea, Senior Advisor, Start-ups, Enterprise Ireland and Simon Factor, NovaUCD (chair).
Image at top: Suyun Zheng and Scott Nagle, Auralink
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