Sleepwear, AI tool & mobility aid win just IMAGINE if prizes
25 September 2026
Three budding entrepreneurs are set to receive funding and business support to develop their innovative ideas after being awarded in the University of Reading's just IMAGINE if... scheme.
just IMAGINE if… is a social enterprise initiative and the brainchild of Paul Lindley, Chancellor of the University of Reading. Its aim is to promote and support fledgling business ideas that actively support one or more of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The final of just IMAGINE if…2026 was held at Henley Business School's Greenlands campus, in Henley-on-Thames, on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 September. The winners and their business ideas were:
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Arnav Collaco – UoR alumnus (BEng Biomedical Engineering, 2026) – ‘Abiliti’ - a device for providing gait analysis during recovery collecting data from the use of walking aids, giving better insight to physiotherapists and better outcomes for patients managing long-term mobility conditions.
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Godfrey Dekera – Henley Business School MSc student – ‘V-Vet’ - the delivery of an AI-powered platform for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, accessible by smartphone, that reduces animal loss, linking farmers to veterinary intelligence and advice.
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Paula Garzon - Henley Business School MSc student – ‘DUNA’ - a climate-smart luxury sleepwear brand, empowering women in vulnerable communities in Colombia by providing fair employment and supportive salaries while addressing the environmental challenges of fast fashion through durable, long-lasting products.
Paul Lindley, Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: "Every one of our finalists has already imagined a better world because of their ideas.
“I believe that our world can be richer in opportunity, in kindness and ideas and these are at the heart of just IMAGINE if... and the ideas that have been shared with us today.
"It's the opportunity to take academic excellence and deliver change to people's lives and address the global challenges we face.”
Scaling-up sustainably
The three successful finalists will each receive a cash award of £5,000 seed funding, plus ongoing support from the University and Henley Business School and business mentors, to help them to develop and scale up their sustainable and socially responsible business ideas.
just IMAGINE if... 2026 began with current students and alumni invited to submit their business proposals for scrutiny and shortlisting by an expert judging panel, with ten business ideas taken forward to the final. Those ten students and alumni were each provided with mentoring support from successful entrepreneurs, alongside professional skills coaching and training.
Over the past two days, the ten finalists presented their business plans to an expert panel and also delivered a concise business pitch to an invited business audience. 
Esteemed attendees included Amy Clarke (sustainable investment and finance expert, Tribe Impact Capital), Alex McPherson and Rosa Gamble (Ignition Law), Yasmina Siadatan (Henley-based business executive and a winner of ‘The Apprentice’) and Felix Weaver, the winner of just IMAGINE if…2024, who all provided valuable knowledge and business insights through their own presentations during the event.
The first just IMAGINE if… was hosted by the University in 2019 and has reached its fourth cycle in our centenary year.
The University of Reading would like to thank everyone involved in the delivery of this year’s event, particularly event sponsors Hemani Ventures, corporate supporters Hogan Lovells Cadwallader and One Young World, and all our finalists’ business mentors.
Images:
Top - Chancellor Paul Lindley (left) with Godfrey Dekera, Paula Garzon and Arnav Collaco
Second - Arnav Collaco collecting their award
Third - the ten just IMAGINE if... finalists
Bottom - Godfrey Dekera and Paula Garzon
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