George Town, 23 July 2019 – Good news for working adults, busy mothers and students. They no longer need to wait in long queues to send their clothes to laundry. A mobile app to manage laundry services will take away the hassle of long queues to get their laundry done.

The app allows them to dump their laundry in a drop box and then via the app, they select the type of service they need, their preferences, and payment method. They will even get their e-receipts via the app.

Once their laundry is done, they will get a notification and can collect and make payment without having to wait.

This is the idea presented by The Walnut Company Sdn Bhd in UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College’s “Best Business Idea Competition 2019” and the team bagged the champion title with a RM700 cash prize and trophy.

The Walnut Company Sdn Bhd comprises four team members who are pursuing their Diploma in Computer Science in UOW Malaysia KDU Penang. They presented their idea at the competition organised by UOW Malaysia KDU Penang’s Centre of Research and Innovation and Centre for Career and Placement Centre on July 17, 2019.

“We are moving into a digital era and new media with all the information we need at our fingertips.

“Therefore, we came up with this laundry mobile app idea to make it hassle-free for people to do their laundry,” said Wang Chin Yung, one of the company’s group members.

Two more students pursuing Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in Mechatronics who formed a group named “LiveRit” presented their idea titled “H20Pal Smart Water Bottle” and caught the attention of the judges and other participants.

“Malaysians have trouble staying hydrated because of our hot weather. Therefore, we introduce the ‘H20Pal Smart Water Bottle’ which will remind users by showing a red light on the bottle to remind them that it is time to drink up,” said LiveRit team member Boon Yang Yang.

He added that this smart bottle will be able to measure the amount and even the type of drink in the bottle. It can detect sugar levels in the drink and inform the user how much sugar is in it. This makes it easy for diabetic users to manage their sugar levels.

The smart bottle idea bagged the first runner-up prize of RM500 cash with a trophy.

The second runner-up title was bagged by the Healthy Appetite, a group of five students studying Diploma in Accounting with RM300 cash prize and a trophy. Their business idea is to launch an online healthy breakfast provider with free delivery. Customers can choose three types of breakfast which is continental, Indian and western breakfast and enjoy the free delivery service.

“We are only focusing on providing breakfast as breakfast is most important meal to kick-start the day. Not many online food delivery shops provide breakfast. Many sell only fast food, which is not very healthy. So, our online breakfast delivery service will be something new,” said Kathy Lok Khai Qi, one of the group members.

The panel of judges for the “Business Idea Competition 2019” comprised Associate Professor Dr. Brian Imrie, who is the vice-chancellor of UOW Malaysia KDU Penang, Geoffrey Tan, founder and CEO of Geob International Sdn.Bhd, Richard Oon, National Tax Director of ShineWing TYTEOH and Shirmein Leong, founder of Delivereat Sdn. Bhd.

“We are developing students who can identify problems, solve them, think quickly and be able to shine above others,” said Professor Dr. Chong Beng Keok, vice-chancellor of UOW Malaysia KDU Penang during the opening ceremony of “Best Business Idea 2019” competition.