LOGAN inventors Brad Clair and Nick Kamols say it would be nice to win Pitch at Palace at St James Palace London on Wednesday, but the visit is more about global recognition and meeting other like-minded inventors.
The pair are founders of Logan startup PowerWells. They pitched a battery in a can to Prince Andrew during a visit to Logan a fortnight ago, headed up the highway to do it again in Brisbane a few days later, we’re announced the co-winners of the Australian competition and flew to London on Friday.
“This is giving us the social license to become global battery recyclers,” said Mr Clair.
“The battery industry is growing so much and so fast. If we do nothing about recycling batteries, they would all end up in landfill.
“Our project creates an opportunity to use those batteries for greater good.”
Clair is the founder of social enterprises AMPLFY and Traction, organisations that mentor at-risk youths and other disengaged people to skill them at utilising recycled materials.
Their programs mirror the work done by Substation33 within the Logan community.
“I am lucky I found Substation33 because I am passionate about everything that Substation33 is passionate about,” Clair said.
“They key to success if finding people who are aligned with what you want to do.”
Logan image and innovation chair Councillor Laurie Smith said PowerWells’ achievements and international recognition highlighted a new era of innovation that is blossoming in Logan.
“The recycling of e-waste program at Substation33 is world-class, our INNOV8 Logan program is connecting start-ups, entrepreneurs, mentors and business and the concept design for the Kingston Butter Factory is due early next year as a signature innovation and entertainment centrepiece,” Cr Smith said.
“It all points to a bright and exciting future for Logan.”
Irrespective of how they fare in this week’s judging, Mr Clair says the next step is to fine-tune the prototype PowerWell then to take the design to remote communities.
“We want to teach locals how to use e-waste to build their own PowerWells,’’ he said.
“It’s going to get harder but I am really proud of where we are right now,” he said.
To vote for PowerWells in the People’s Choice section of the awards go to: https://peopleschoice.pitchatpalace.com/
