After completing his studies at UCL, Gaelic joined forces with fellow alumna Ina Jovicic to develop a wearable badge designed to deter crime before it happens. Their company has already secured pre-seed funding, exhibited at international showcases, and been named Most Impactful Startup at UCL’s Knowledge Exchange Awards. Here, Gaelic reflects on the journey from student idea to global startup, and on the lessons he has learned as a young founder.
You co-founded eNOugh shortly after graduating from UCL. What sparked the idea, and how did it evolve from a student project into a fully-fledged startup?
The idea for eNOugh began when my co-founder, Ina Jovicic, was attacked in a “safe” London neighbourhood. She set out to tackle the lack of safety when walking alone at night, and when she shared her story and wearable body-cam concept, I instantly connected. Growing up in Latin America, I had seen first-hand the realities of unsafe streets, and even in London friends shared similar fears. What began as a side project at UCL quickly became a mission. I knew the eNOugh badge could make a real difference.
eNOugh recently secured £240,000 in pre-seed funding. What was that fundraising process like, and what will this investment help you achieve next?
Raising for eNOugh taught me early that investors back teams and stories, not just ideas. Fundraising was a completely new world for me and far from easy, but perseverance is everything. After many rejections, we secured £240k to perfect our design, run customer research, and build a working prototype. I also travelled to China to map out our supply chain and manufacturing plan. Now, we are raising $2.4M to get the badge into users’ hands and scale our impact.
Your product tackles a critical issue: personal safety when walking alone. How does your AI-powered wearable badge work, and what kind of impact are you aiming to make?
The eNOugh badge is a palm-sized wearable with multi-modal AI that analyses real-time audio and video to detect danger. It is the first protective device designed to deter crime before it happens, acting visibly and as a body cam, which in other sectors has reduced attacks by up to 70%. Worn at chest level, it can autonomously trigger deterrents, record evidence, and alert emergency responders, while still allowing manual activation. With rising crime in the UK and globally, our goal is simple: give people peace of mind when walking alone at night.
eNOugh has already received several major recognitions, including being named ‘Most Impactful Startup’ at UCL’s Knowledge Exchange Awards. What does that recognition mean to you and your team?
It is a validation that what we are building truly resonates, and that its design has real potential to make a positive impact. Recognition like this also boosts our credibility with partners, investors, and the public, making it easier to open doors and build the relationships we need to grow.
You were also selected to exhibit at Prototypes for Humanity and attend COP28. How have these opportunities shaped your thinking as a founder working at the intersection of tech and social good?
With the support of my professor, Dr Evangelos Markopoulos, we presented eNOugh at Prototypes for Humanity. The event was eye-opening, showcasing how many impactful projects are tackling urgent global issues. It was a powerful reminder that, while the world has no shortage of problems, small groups of determined people can drive real change. That energy was both motivating and empowering for our journey forward.
Looking back, how did your degree at UCL EEE prepare you for startup life, from building your product to managing a fast-growing business?
UCL EEE gave me the foundations in engineering, especially electronics, that directly helped in building our prototype, setting up a supply chain with Chinese manufacturers, and even navigating IP protection like trademarks and patents. Just as valuable was the mindset it fostered: through countless projects and coursework, we learned to figure things out ourselves. That problem-solving approach sparks creativity and pushes you to think outside the box, both essential for any entrepreneur.
You’ve spoken about your desire to take eNOugh back to Argentina and South America. How are you approaching global scalability and adapting your solution for different contexts?
Latin America has a special place in my heart, but we are also looking at the US and India as major markets. Scaling eNOugh will bring challenges, and I see beauty in that. Every region has its own crime patterns, police responsiveness, and user behaviours, so our approach will not be one-size-fits-all. We already have adaptations in mind for different contexts, and we are excited to tackle these in the near future.
What’s been your biggest challenge since launching eNOugh and what’s helped you push through it?
A key challenge has been balancing product development speed with building a design that is manufacturable, compliant, and able to connect with authorities. We overcame this by surrounding ourselves with experienced minds who could guide us through what we did not know and help us partner with the right people, directly impacting the project’s viability. From there, it came down to relentless prioritisation to keep moving forward without compromising on what matters.
You’re part of the Sigma Squared Society and previously led the UN Millennium Fellowship at UCL. How important have those networks and communities been to your growth as a founder?
The UN Millennium Fellowship gave me the chance to support other students on impactful projects. Sigma Squared, though, has probably brought the most value, giving me access to a global community of ambitious young founders I now call friends. With 1,000+ fellows across 35 countries and over $2B raised collectively, every conversation is inspiring and thought-provoking. We share wins, challenges, and lessons openly. It is far more than just a society, but you have to be part of it to truly understand. They have been a real catalyst in my growth.
What advice would you give to UCL students and recent graduates with a startup idea or ambition to create impact through technology?
Start now, the timing will never be perfect. Talk to customers before you build anything. Fall in love with the problem, because the solution will almost certainly change. Reach out to those ahead of you, most founders I know are happy to help. And don’t be scared to jump. Maybe I am biased, but entrepreneurship is the most liberating and fun experience of my life. Even if the ending may not be what you hoped for, the journey is what matters, and it only gets harder to start as you grow older.
