Building a better future through sponsorship

At Gallagher, we’re all about building a better future through innovative animal management products and world leading security solutions. That’s why we’re a proud supporter of the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) and sponsor of the Gallagher Smart Technology Award at the New Zealand Young Enterprise National Awards.

For 2022, the award goes to MaiBand – the brainchild of Daniel Evans and Kalarn Mark from Tauranga’s Aquinas College – which is a tech-based solution for storing and retrieving medical data.  

The Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) is an opportunity for students to unleash their inner entrepreneur and experience the start-up world first-hand - it's an experiential programme where students in Year 12 and 13 (16 to 18 years old) set up and run a real business. YES is more than just a competition though – previous award winners have gone on to solve real-world problems with their innovative solutions.

MaiBand is a medical ID bracelet that uses nearfield communication technology (NFC) to transmit crucial medical data to paramedics in an emergency situation. To access patient information, paramedics would simply hold their tablet against the patient’s MaiBand for one to two seconds, and the necessary medical information to treat the individual would be displayed on the device.

The creative approach by the Aquinas College duo looks to become the mainstream medical ID bracelet in New Zealand, with hopes to be a more affordable and more effective alternative to current market offerings.

So how does MaiBand stack up to the competition? Well currently, there is none – at least none that utilise NFC technology. In New Zealand, MedicAlert is a familiar name, with 160,000 people across the country using the stainless-steel bands to display medical information such as allergies and contact numbers. The problem with this solution is that often the information isn’t detailed enough, the bands are too small to read, worn out from wear, and impossible to see in the dark without a flashlight. MaiBand avoids all of this by providing a completely digital solution, which integrates directly with St John’s technology.

It's an ambitious project, but MaiBand already has the support to get going. After successful trials in Althorp Retirement Village in Pyes Pa, Tauranga, St John’s has confirmed they’re on board to support the roll out of MaiBand’s application to their Honeywell tablets on a regional basis. Trials will start across the Bay of Plenty region by March 2023, with a wider national rollout in 2024.

Gallagher is proud to support these young entrepreneurs with their emerging business idea, aiding paramedics in their goal to protect what matters most.

We look forward to seeing the company grow and develop in the future. MaiBand’s innovative solution to a problem reminds us of where we began - all it takes is a simple idea and a lot of hard work!