LONDON, UK – The You Be The Solution Challenge concluded with outstanding success on 21 June 2026, drawing together some of the most inventive young scientific minds from across the United Kingdom. Held in London, the competition invited student teams to form start-up companies and develop sustainable, science-backed innovations to improve their local communities – this year under the theme of health sciences. Participants demonstrated exceptional scientific knowledge, creative problem-solving, and a genuine commitment to addressing real-world challenges.
The competition crowned AeroGuard Solutions from The Perse School as the overall winners. Team members William Reddy, Ronit Kallu, and Alexander Toutoungi took first place for their affordable, three-layer air filtration system – incorporating MERV 7, MERV 10, and MERV 13 filters – designed to combat pollutants ranging from household dust to microscopic airborne particles, with a focus on easy maintenance and accessibility for homes, schools, and workplaces. Second place went to Aqua Vera, a collaborative effort between Upton Primary, Foster’s Primary, and Christ Church C of E Primary. Team members Vincent Li, Angela Lin, and Alexander Huang presented a reusable, biodegradable water-filter cartridge that removes heavy metals and microplastics using natural materials including alginate membranes, chitosan gel, biochar, and activated carbon. Third place was awarded to Puff Bar – “From Sawdust to Soap”, a joint team from Dane Court Grammar School, Amington Primary, and King Edward VI Camp Hill. Team members Cecilia Cai, Dylan Cai, Jinxi Fu, and Xuanhao Timeo Zhang impressed the judges with their creative project transforming wood waste into a soap-like product, combining real chemistry with sustainable design and strong team operations.
Each team was challenged to investigate health science concepts through the lens of entrepreneurship, presenting their work as a company pitch, complete with a defined problem, a science-grounded solution, and a clear vision for community impact. The breadth and quality of entries this year reflected the extraordinary capacity of young people to engage with pressing public health issues, from air and water quality to sustainable material use, with both rigour and ingenuity.
The event effectively cultivated enthusiasm for health sciences among young participants while demonstrating how the UK’s emerging generation of scientists and entrepreneurs can develop practical, sustainable solutions that serve their communities. The wide array of innovations on display reflects the vital role that scientific thinking plays in addressing everyday challenges, and points to a promising future for community-driven innovation across the country.
The event was distinguished by an exceptional judging panel comprising leading figures from both academia and industry. Dr Ruina Liang (Postdoctoral Research Associate in Structural Biology), Mr Alex Ling (Head of Transformation Strategy & Governance at Wise), and Ms Violetta Vedeneeva (Cambridge scholar and entrepreneurship advocate) provided expert evaluation across all presentations, offering students meaningful feedback and encouragement throughout the day.
