Exciting partnerships, female founders and energy boosts

Check out some of the exciting updates from Imperial’s enterprising ecosystem, from energy research partnerships to startups’ successes.

Ceres Power sponsors newly-formed academic position 

Ceres Power, the UK’s most valuable cleantech company – founded by researchers at Imperial in the 1990s – has a long history of working with the College, our researchers and our startups. Through a new partnership, supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering, the company has sponsored a Research Chair in Electrochemical Devices for a Zero Carbon Economy, which will be taken up by Professor Stephen Skinner from the Department of Materials 
 
The five-year position is a new industry–academia research partnership that will focus on developing solid oxide cells that convert fuel to electricity and in reverse operation can produce clean hydrogen. It is intended that Professor Skinner will establish a world-leading research group in the field of materials engineering and Ceres’ Chief Scientific Officer Subhasish Mukerjee also becomes a Visiting Professor at Imperial College. 
 

Major boost for innovative energy startups 

Two of Imperial’s Innovation Fund-backed startups – Bonnet and  Cheesecake Energy– have each had a terrific 12 months in developing their companies, and have recently been boosted by additional investment and support. 

Recently, Bonnet closed a £5.5m funding round to develop their EV super-app as they continue to join up charging networks and operators around the UK.  

Cheesecake has received a share of £6.7m funding from the UK Government for innovative energy storage technology, part of the wider £68m Longer Duration Energy Storage Competition.  

New horizons for some of Imperial’s female entrepreneurs 

Innovation is in our DNA at Imperial, with current students and recent graduates making huge strides in developing their technologies and innovations for major public benefit.  

Current WE Innovate participant Shelly Shafira successfully pitched her venture – Banoo Indonesia – at the NEOM Food For Future summit, winning $5,000 to invest in her company as she picked up the Food Changemaker Award. Banoo aims to deploy affordable technology to increase fish farmers’ income and enhance production – look out for more from her and other WE Innovators later this year. 

As one of the Innovate UK’s Innovators of the Year, Imperial graduate Natalie Kerres is used to breaking new ground with her work, and this month saw the product launch of the SCALED flexible wristguard – an exciting development as the company looks to grow. 

Venture Catalyst Challenge 2020 finalists Bia.Care have signed a new deal to trial their digital platform with the NHS. Users will get personalised information and tailored support to help them manage menopause, from accessing GP appointments and medical support through to having treatments delivered to their home. 

If you want to find out more about the next generation of innovators, register for this year’s VCC final – taking place in-person and online – on Thursday 24 March. 

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