TACT is a start-up company with an innovative idea to reduce injuries, which unfortunately often leads to the death of motorcyclists on the road. Here’s what Stephen had to say about the innovative idea of TACT, and his overall experience.

Interviewer: What inspired you to take part in the StartUp Programme back in 2016/2017?

Stephen: During our first year at Saint Martin’s Institute of Higher Education, whilst reading a BSc degree, we were given the opportunity to take part in JAYE’s programme, which sounded quite exciting and also quite fundamental for the modules we were studying during that period. Perhaps the opportunity to create a new concept or product from scratch and actually build up a start-up from the ground upwards was the main inspiration for us to actually give it a shot. Although it seemed quite complex for us at first, to come up with business plans and concepts, little did we know that it was actually going to be fruitful. Ultimately, there aren’t really any right or wrong ideas, but what one has to be prepared for is the fact to be able to adjust and be flexible enough to mould the actual foundation and build upon that.

Interviewer: Tell me more about what TACT is.

Stephen: Our product is called the INTACT System. This is a system, which connects through our smartphone application and various sensors (on the bike), which have the ability to detect a fall or a collision. A PCB infused in the helmet also acts as a back-up system, should the main system fail to function due to the collision. The system automatically detects an accident or crash of a motorcycle and also allocates the location where the accident has taken place. After a fall is detected, it contacts the local emergency services and also the person’s loved ones (if opted by the motorcyclist). It also incorporates an ‘alarm switch’ – should the rider not manage to press this within 20 seconds of the fall, it will automatically call the emergency. Should the rider not need any assistance, he/she shall press the button and any contact will be cancelled. The alarm will also sound a noise which may alarm any passer-by should the accident happen in a remote area or during the night.

Interviewer: How did you get the idea of TACT?

Stephen: During the initial sessions of the JAYE programme, we had many brainstorming sessions and meetings, where we used to receive constructive criticism regarding our ideas, and it was up to us to make sure we use such feedback in a way to bounce off ideas and polish them as much as we can. Back then, and unfortunately very much present nowadays too, the rise in motorcycle accidents and deaths, were on the rise in Europe, especially in Malta. Therefore, we wanted to create a system that could ultimately save lives, or at least begin with preventing any serious injuries.

Interviewer: What does TACT stand for?

Stephen: Our company name is TACT, whilst the system is called INTACT – which hones in on the importance of being connected with the people around you & your loved ones, especially whilst riding alone. Stay IN TOUCH, Stay INTACT.

Interviewer: Have you ever thought of backing down from the competition?

Stephen: As we proceeded throughout the competition, and the finals got closer, the workload increased drastically, especially since we were also juggling exams and assignments at the same time. Although, the positive side to it is that whatever we were learning in class, we were actually applying it to a real-life situation, and that’s the best experience one can get. I don’t think we ever wanted to back down, although I must admit that we used to drive our Principal quite mad, stressing and worrying! His patience is incredible!

Interviewer: Did you expect to win back in 2017?

Stephen: The JAYE Start-UP Competition here in Malta was quite tough since there was a specific team from another University which was very good too, although we believed in our start-up and we were quite driven and motivated to ace the presentation that evening, during the finals. Obviously, they also take into consideration all the work done throughout the year. When it came to Helsinki, we definitely didn’t expect to win! Not because we didn’t believe in ourselves, we really did, but because we all have this mentality that since we come from a tiny island in the Mediterranean, we feel intimidated by other huge countries. Although, we really do have what it takes!

Interviewer: What happened after you won?

Stephen: We were overwhelmed, to say the least, and the platform that the competition provided us was incredible, even just simply meeting new people and receiving feedback. It really did feel like a dream, especially since it was the first time Malta had ever won the European competition. After that, we focused on proceeding forward with our degree, and simultaneously registered the start-up, whilst slowly kicking off with a meeting with potential suppliers and investors.

Interviewer: Do you have more ideas in store?

Stephen: Well as a start-up we definitely need to keep up with the latest technology, so that’s quite an important element to continuously keep an eye on. Our aim is to make it more efficient, as well as reduce the cost as much as possible, and most importantly try our best to attract any potential investors!

Interviewer: How has the StartUp Programme changed you?

Stephen: Assignments, theories, exams are all super important, but having the opportunity to actually build your own start-up from scratch, whilst being guided by professionals and industry experts is definitely the way to go. It has given us the chance to push ourselves even further and believe in our own products, whilst also proving to us that when we set our aim on a specific goal, we’re capable of achieving amazing results. Besides all this, having such an experience (thanks to this programme), listed down on your CV, it definitely makes it more attractive.

Interviewer: What advice would you give to the participants in the StartUp Programme of this year?

Stephen: Well I am pretty sure they’ve heard or read this quote a million times already, but simply don’t be afraid to fail. Most importantly, any criticism received, that being constructive of course, welcome it and make sure to be flexible enough to adapt it into your process. There is no right or wrong when it comes to ideas if something works – it works, if not then be quick enough to change and re-generate something new. Lastly, never doubt yourself or feel intimidated, especially when competing with other foreign countries. You’re there for a reason, so make sure everyone in the room sees and notices that.

The Third Eye would like to thank Stephen Mintoff for his time and wish him luck on his future endeavors!

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Bestowing these titles is an accomplishment on its own. Here’s what Cécilia had to say about the TimeNinja app, and her overall experience.

Interviewer: Could you briefly describe what are ‘Celuna’ and ‘TimeNinja’?

Cécilia: “Celuna is the company under which I work, and TimeNinja is the app I created.

Interviewer: What inspired you to form part of the StartUp Programme back in 2017?

Cécilia: “When I moved to Malta, I attended a JAYE presentation and at that point, I had an idea of what entrepreneurship can do. I have a family of entrepreneurs, but while they had always pushed me to do business, for me business was boring and something I did not want to do. But then in 2014, I went to Jordan in the summer for a thing called Endeavour. It is kind of like JAYE, but for adults and I went there to watch. I saw how startups were pitching ideas and how the judges proceeded and that was when I realised; OK I want to start a startup…. I realised that business is not just numbers and sales.”

Interviewer: How did you get the idea of ‘Celuna’?

Cécilia: “Brainstorming… For me, a Startup means solving a problem, and a problem for me at that time was time management.” Cécilia describes how she needed to research ways to tackle this issue, and came across what is known as the Pomodoro Technique; “this says that the brain doesn’t focus for 2 hours at a time and that it’s better to focus for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. This is how the brain will retain more information. In fact, when I went to JAYE, I remembered this technique, and how in my 5-minute breaks I used to play a game.” This is how Cécilia came up with an idea to create an app by incorporating all of the techniques that had helped her with time management.

Interviewer: Did you expect to win back in 2018?

Cécilia: “I don’t want to sound pretentious or anything, but yes I did expect to win, for the simple reason that I was a bit older than the others. I could see that I was putting a lot of work into it – I was breathing Celuna.” Cécilia describes how at a certain point, she missed 3 nights of sleep and had to sacrifice a lot for it, prioritising her JAYE deadline over studying and part-time work at certain points.

Interviewer: Do you have any ideas in store concerning future projects?

Cécilia: “Right now I am working on a project called ‘Tixtri’. It’s an online marketplace to help shops that cannot afford e-commerce of their own.” She claims that she has a couple ideas of where she’d like TimeNinja to go, specifically working to turn it into more of a “social-studying platform”, and make it more into a social media for studying rather than base it on keeping scores. 

Interviewer: How has the StartUp Programme changed you?

Cécilia: “It has changed me so much. First of all – and I cannot stress enough how much JAYE has changed my life – it has shown me that I am capable of really hard work, even though I’ve always been a procrastinator. I never had to ‘force’ myself to work because I enjoyed it… It taught me a lot about empathy, and how it doesn’t matter what your background is because in the end, you can do anything.” Cécilia claims that with JAYE she found exactly what she wants to do, “I found my way.”

Interviewer: What advice would you give future participants of the StartUp Programme? 

Cécilia: “Give it your all. Don’t worry about being too young to have a Startup. Take it as if it’s something you can actually do, and find solutions for all the problems you have. Take it one problem at a time.”

The Third Eye would like to thank Cécilia Mzayek for her time and wish her luck on her future endeavors!

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Over the past 30 years, Junior Achievement Young Enterprise Malta (JAYE) has inspired thousands of young minds and set youths on the path for entrepreneurial success. Since 1988, the organisation – formerly known as Young Enterprise – has seen more than 7,000 students take part in their non-formal, hands-on and experiential programmes.

To commemorate their 30th anniversary, JAYE Malta is hosting a gala dinner at the InterContinental Malta on 6 December to celebrate the revolutionary impact that their work – including that of students, mentors, volunteers, stakeholders and friends – has had on the world of education and entrepreneurship, while kicking off another 30 years of achievement.

Lara Degabriele, who took part in the 2014 Company Programme finals, describes JAYE’s mission as “inspiring big ideas in young minds”.

Of course, the first-step behind these ideas was to create a company, something that Lara has always wanted to do. During her time at Junior College, she was the designated Sales and Marketing Manager of the Young Enterprise company ‘MeStories’, which set out to help young children improve their standard of Maltese, through an application featuring Maltese audiobooks.

Lara tells me that her role was, essentially, to get the word out about MeStories, while ensuring that everything the company did adhered to her team’s brand standards. Now a student of the Raindance Film School in London, she says: “In my field, I need to present my ideas and market myself as a brand and, thanks to JAYE, I acquired the knowhow to be able do this.”

Before embarking on her first entrepreneurial venture, Lara anticipated that it would be a rewarding experience. “I knew that it would be a lot of hard work but that the pay-off would be worth it, as I was fortunate enough to form part of a team of underdogs, who were willing to put in 100% of their time and effort into our company. Even though we placed second in the finals, we still came out as winners with regards to how much we learned and the connections we created, as well as the numerous awards that added value to our work,” she says.

In a world where education is often rigid, JAYE Malta emphasises the value that comes with celebrating achievement of all shapes and sizes.

Indeed, having had plenty of experience on stage, Lara also helped her colleagues to prepare for their presentations. “My favourite achievement was when the quietest girl I’ve ever met stood in front of the judges and presented our company with confidence,” she adds. Lara then went on to volunteer with JAYE for a few years after her competition year, helping out at events, offering advice to achievers and even hosting the programme finals. Hers is a brilliant example of the many, many people who have been helped and inspired by JAYE over the years.

Now, if you would like to share your #JAYEStory, contact JAYE Malta Foundation or fill in this form to reserve your tickets for the JAYE Malta 30th Anniversary Celebration.

The JAYE Malta 30th Anniversary Celebration will be held at the InterContinental Malta on 6 December at 7.30pm. For more information and to reserve your seats, visit the @JayeMalta Facebook page or www.jayemalta.org. Tickets cost €50 and are available at a discounted rate of €30 for students.

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