Congratulations to St Hugh’s undergraduate student, Shangyu Cao (Economics and Management, 2023), and graduate student, Qing Han (MSc Social Anthropology, 2024), who were awarded the ‘Overall Winner Recognition’ prize of £500 funding for their startup company, Paipai, by Enspire Oxford at the recent All-Innovate 2025 ideas competition. In addition the audience chose their startup as the most innovative idea, and as a result, the pair were also presented with the ‘People’s Choice Award’ which is an excellent achievement.
Paipai is an interactive, soft-touch AI companion designed to enhance productivity and emotional well-being. It combines tactile interaction (squeezing or patting) with AI-driven conversations to help users stay focused, reduce stress, and combat work isolation. Unlike traditional productivity tools, Paipai acts as a supportive desk companion—blending task management with emotional support.
Shangyu and Qing said, ‘Our research is grounded in psychology and human-computer interaction, focusing on how tactile feedback and AI can mitigate anxiety and improve focus. We’re particularly interested in applications for students, remote workers, and healthcare settings. The project emerged from our cross-disciplinary collaboration, bringing together expertise in engineering, computer science, psychology, and design.
‘We’re honoured to have won both the 2025 All-Innovate People’s Choice Award and Overall Winner recognition award. The journey began right here at St Hugh’s in Shangyu’s dorm!’
Professor Eric Zhao, Professor of Strategy at St Hugh’s and Saïd Business School said, ‘Paipai is a brilliant example of what happens when creativity, compassion, and cutting-edge research come together. I am especially proud of my student Shangyu’s work on this project—a clear reflection of her talent, dedication, and passion for entrepreneurship. This project not only showcases the power of interdisciplinary collaboration but also reflects the spirit of innovation we’re so proud to support at St Hugh’s. Winning both the People’s Choice and Overall Winner awards is a phenomenal achievement—and a well-deserved recognition of the team’s vision to make productivity more human, and more humane.’
Professor William Kelly, Stipendiary Lecturer in Anthropology said, ‘Huge congratulations to St. Hugh’s students Qing Han (also my postgraduate College advisee) and Shangyu Cao on their recognition by Enspire Oxford (University of Oxford Entrepreneurship Hub) as one of the overall winner’s in this year’s All-Innovate ideas competition, as well as winners of the special Peoples’ Choice Award, for Paipai, an interactive, soft touch AI companion designed to enhance productivity and emotional well-being, with particular application for students, remote workers and in healthcare settings. It’s great to see the creativity and innovativeness reflected in Qing Han’s engagement with research methodology in Anthropology also manifested in the development of “real world” applications at the interface of the human and the technological.’
The All-Innovate is a competition designed to foster early-stage entrepreneurial thinking, and provides participants with the opportunity to develop, refine, and present their innovative ideas through Validate, a startup ideation platform. Participants also had access to a series of entrepreneurial training sessions, equipping them with the skills needed to create a compelling Business Model Canvas while expanding their professional networks. All teams are encouraged to apply for funding to bring their ideas to life.
For more information on All-Innovate please click here.
The names of the students in main image above are:
Leyi Pan, Shuhan Qi, Shangyu Cao, Qing Han, Huaichong Yao
