FoNS MAD Sponsorship

FoNS MAD Success Stories:

Now in its 13th year, FoNS MAD has engaged over 1,000 students and supported 39 finalist teams (totalling 144 students) to the proof-of-concept stage, helping the next generation of innovators become equipped to make a meaningful difference in the world.  

FoNS MAD has been a launchpad for numerous student-led ventures. Matoha (2017 Winners) used infrared spectroscopy and AI to develop a tool that maximises recycling sorting, resulting in more waste being recycled and less waste in landfills. They have now sold their products in over 50 countries, with its founders recognised in the Forbes 30 Under 30 (Europe) list.  

Multus (2019 Winners) have also seen huge successes, raising £7.9 million from investors to develop an affordable growth medium for cultivated meat, bringing down the cost of cultured meat and tackling the unsustainability of using livestock to produce meat. 

Beyond these achievements, many other finalist teams have had successes far beyond the competition: publishing research papers, taking part in (and winning) internal and external innovation competitions, and gaining significant public recognition. Notably among our recent winners, Marigold (2024 Winners) won the 2025 Quiet Mark Young Engineers Award. 

Elsewhere, ZymeDeal (2014 winners), were selected to take part in the Althea-Imperial Programme, as well as the Venture Catalyst Challenge, and won a share of the prize fund for the China-UK Challenge, a competition for university teams to encourage new business ventures between China and the UK. 

These achievements demonstrate how FoNS MAD consistently transforms undergraduate ideas into innovations with genuine commercial, scientific and societal impact. 

What we are looking for:

We are seeking partners who share our commitment to developing the next generation of scientific innovators and to supporting solutions with a positive societal impact. Support can take a variety of forms, including financial sponsorship for the competition (to fund student teams eight-week summer placement bursaries, finalist consumables fund and accelerator prizes) or in-kind contributions (e.g. team mentoring, judging, workspace or delivering skills workshops during or beyond the competition). 

We welcome support from companies, foundations, charities and individual donors. Whether you are interested in backing a specific research area (such as sustainability, health, or digital technologies) or supporting the competition as a whole, we can work with you to tailor an involvement that aligns with your strategic priorities and values.

Why sponsor FoNS MAD?

By sponsoring FoNS MAD, organisations support outstanding student talent and help foster innovative thinking at the cutting edge of science and technology within a world-leading institution. You'd benefit from increased brand visibility amongst Imperial students and staff, opportunities to engage directly with teams as mentors or judges, as well as insight into new technologies and approaches being developed at the proof-of-concept stage. 

Sponsorship also demonstrates a visible commitment to supporting education, skills development and positive societal impact for young innovators.  

Depending on the level of support, sponsors may receive recognition on competition materials and the website, invitations to the grand final and showcase events, opportunities to present awards, and the possibility to help shape challenge themes or workshops in future years.