Following their best performance at the 36th edition of the JA Malta Finals and Awards Night, two Maltese student companies have been chosen to represent Malta at Gen-E 2025, Europe’s biggest entrepreneurship celebration.
For their creation of an inventive assistive gadget — the Pill-Popper Device — Simplex, a team from St. Aloysius College Sixth Form, was named Company of the Year. Made from recycled wood cut-offs, the device is particularly intended to assist seniors and those with less hand mobility—such as individuals with Parkinson’s disease or hand injuries—in safely and effortlessly opening blister-pack medicines. The product addresses a genuine demand among disadvantaged groups by combining practicality with sustainability in healthcare.
MediMind, from St. Martin’s Institute of Higher Education, won the StartUp of the Year award for its healthcare technology project meant to enhance medication adherence among seniors—a developing concern among Europe’s aging population. From the comfort of their homes, elderly users can safely, independently, and more frequently manage their medications using a smart pillbox, mobile app, and HomePod—all integrated system.
Over 250 students from 12 educational institutions across Malta were used to select both teams. The finalists engaged in experiential learning through JA Malta’s Company and StartUp programs, which aim to provide students with real-world business knowledge.
Both teams will get a one-year membership with the Malta Chamber and ten hours of concentrated mentoring and counseling from the Bajada Group in advance of the Gen-E 2025 competition. This assistance is meant to help them polish their presentations, financial models, and reporting prior to their appearance on the global stage.
A 2025 Nobel Peace Prize candidate, JA Malta is part of JA Worldwide, among the biggest youth-serving non-governmental organizations in the world. Through hands-on learning experiences that equip students for the changing needs of the world economy, the company strives to promote entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness.
Simplex and MediMind will have the chance to highlight their inventions, mix with young entrepreneurs from all around Europe, and get exposure to investors, teachers, and politicians at Athens’ next event. Their involvement draws attention to Malta’s expanding role in youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
