Nooku: Developing Nooku: The Role of the University of Edinburgh

How did you come up with the idea for Nooku?

My journey started in the technology sector, focusing on healthcare and sustainability innovations over the last 15 years. However, the personal catalyst for creating Nooku came when moving into a new home where my young son began experiencing severe respiratory issues, likely due to poor indoor air quality. Simultaneously, an Innovate UK initiative caught my attention, focusing on indoor air quality improvements. This synchronicity between personal experiences and a professional challenge led to the foundation of Nooku, aiming to simplify complex air quality data into understandable and actionable insights for families like mine.

How does Nooku transforms complex air quality data into information for users?

Traditional air quality devices tend to offer complex data that, frankly, most people find too technical. At Nooku, we approach this differently by translating this data into everyday language and actionable advice. For instance, it's not just about telling someone the levels of PM2.5 in their home; it’s about explaining what this means for their health and what simple habits, such as changing cooking practices or enhancing ventilation, can dramatically reduce their exposure to harmful pollutants. It’s these small, informed changes we enable that can significantly improve people’s health, particularly vulnerable groups like children or the elderly.

The University of Edinburgh's AI Accelerator has been part of your journey — how has joining the programme influenced Nooku’s development?

The AI Accelerator was a great programme, not just useful in advancing our product but in sharpening our business strategy. It provided a manageable structure that fostered rapid development through access to a wealth of resources like workshops, industry experts, and mentorship. This wasn't just about refining our AI; it stretched across business operations, funding strategies, and market entry tactics – it is a great business accelerator for any startup. The program's focus on practical startup issues and in-depth feedback sessions allowed us to recalibrate our approach and better align our technology with market needs. Chatting with a diverse group of other entrepreneurs additionally enriched the experience and helped us avoid common pitfalls in tech startups.

Now that the accelerator programme has concluded, what are the next steps for Nooku?

We are now poised for significant growth. The immediate focus is on launching our product in the UK market, with potential partnerships lined up with major retailers like Currys and B&Q. We're also excited about a collaboration we’re looking at with Dulux, which will integrate our technology to show the benefit of non-toxic paints. Looking globally, we aim to introduce Nooku to the Australian market by 2026. The foundation laid by the accelerator program has outfitted us with the strategies needed for successful market entry and scaling, particularly in how we communicate our value proposition to different consumer segments. We've gained clarity on how to execute our plans effectively and ensure our launch phases capture the distinct needs of each market.