Introduction
In celebration of entrepreneurship as a career, twelve recipients of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s and Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Fellowship programmes described their journeys from initial concept to growing start-up and beyond. Sponsored by Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP, Stephen Metcalfe MP, Carol Monaghan MP and Chi Onwurah MP, the Showcase brought together decision makers and influencers from government, academia, industry and investors. Welcomed by Damien Moore MP and member of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, the Showcase reinforced the continuing commitment to innovation in the UK and the rewards derivable from commitment.
Carol Monaghan MP, also a former physics teacher, highlighted the government’s drive to encourage women into science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM). Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and who made one of the greatest astronomical discoveries of the 20th century in detecting the first radio pulsar, emphasised the role of the Society in nurturing innovation. Dr Hayaatun Sillem, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, expanded on promoting engineering excellence for the benefit of society. Sir Mark Walport, Chief Executive Designate of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is pushing to increase investment in UK R&D from 1.68% (2015) to 2.4% GDP. The UKRI, anticipated to be formed in April 2018, will incorporate the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and the research funding and knowledge exchange parts of HEFCE. Dr Ruth McKernan, CEO of Innovate UK, explored the target challenges for funding waves 1 and 2, from medicines manufacturing technology to healthy ageing and batteries for clean and flexible energy storage to quantum technology. Wave 3 is now open.
Enterprise Fellows
Every year an estimated 4.1 million patients in the European Union (EU) are affected by a healthcare-associated infection (HCAI). This is equivalent to one in 20 hospitalised patients, making it one of the most common adverse outcomes for hospital patients. Dr Felicity de Cogan, Co-Founder of NitroPep, has developed a novel protective coating that kills bacteria on contact. Having an expected lifetime of 3 years from a single coating application, Felicity presented reassuringly-clean evidence from a year-long toilet trial on board an ocean liner.
Over 200 million bricks are imported into the UK annually, to make up a shortfall in the 2.4 billion brick demand. Sam Chapman introduced Kenoteq’s K-Briq, an unfired brick made of 90% recycled material – low carbon and just a third of the manufacturing cost of a fired clay brick. With already an order log in the millions, Kenoteq is building for the future.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are advantageous for applications including non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain resistant fabrics and carpets, cosmetics, firefighting foams, and products that resist grease, water, and oil. But human exposure to PFAS is a public health concern. Henrik Hagenmann is Co-Founder of CustoMem, that has developed novel adsorbent granules, optimised to efficiently capture specific pollutants such as PFAS from wastewater, where traditionally-used activated carbon fails.
Gamers are the spotlight – and in the shadow– of Geomerics, the leader in lighting technology for the gaming and entertainment industries, that was acquired by ARM. Chris Doran’s described his journey from research in applied mathematics and theoretical physics to Enlighten, the worlds’ first fully real-time global illumination technology, and beyond.
Puridify’s platform purification technology, FibroSelect, enables purification of next generation macromolecular biotherapeutics such as gene therapies, viral vectors and fusion proteins, essential for industrial biomolecule manufacture. Oliver Hardwick, is Co-Founder of Puridify, acquired in December 2017 by GE Healthcare.
Keeping cool when limited to a wheelchair is something to sweat about. Corien Staels showcased wheelAIR, which removes heat and moisture to improve wheelchair user’s lives. With deliveries starting soon and Double Paralympian and World Champion Michael Kerr as brand ambassador, wheelAIR is cool, comfortable and in control.
Where does water flow? How can you control flooding? Viridian Logic uses hydrology and geographic information systems (GIS) to determine the best locations and habitat types to mitigate environmental risk. A background in astrophysics ideally positions Leon Baruah for big data analysis – and he explored diverse case studies that optimised new planting.
Agreeing targets to reduce or eliminate deforestation is good – but how do you monitor that the targets are being met? Murray Collins, CEO, explained how Space Intelligence converts near-real time satellite radar data into actionable business intelligence. Sensitive even to tree loss below the forest canopy, Space Intelligence helps protect forests around the world. And by applying the technology offshore, even plastic waste in the oceans can be followed.
Gravity sketch re-imagines design, to explore and communicate ideas in three dimensions through augmented reality and virtual reality. Co-Founder Oluwaseyi Sosanya demonstrated a potential and performance that is already being embraced by leading automotive designers. And yes, Chris Doran’s Enlighten features under the hood for photorealistic renderings.
One size does not fit all when it comes to stents. But how to you measure up for each and every unique application? Oxford Heartbeat has pioneered medical device software that combines predictive computations, big data and artificial intelligence (AI) for exactly this. Katerina Spranger, Founder and CEO, presented the type of pre-surgery rehearsal that surgeons can do with the software, enhancing patient outcomes.
For people with low vision or partial sight, enhanced vision means greater independence. Introduced by Stephen Hicks, OxSight has developed smart glasses especially for people affected by conditions like glaucoma, diabetes and retinitis pigmentosa, improving quality of life for these people.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is Scotland’s National Academy, contributing to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Scotland through the advancement of learning and useful knowledge.
The Royal Academy of Engineering drives engineering to be at the heart of policy-making. By bringing together leading engineers from across all disciplines, the Academy solves issues of national and global importance. In addition, the Academy sets the agenda for education and diversity in UK engineering and technology, with a particular focus on plugging the engineering skills gap.
Enterprise Fellowship programmes
Through the Enterprise Fellowship programmes, the RSE and the Academy stimulate excellence and encourage creativity and innovation in engineering by identifying and supporting the founders and leaders of tomorrow’s high-tech companies. The Enterprise Fellowship programmes provide not only funding but also essential training in business skills coupled with one-to-one mentoring from some of the country’s most successful engineers from across academia and industry.
