ChemEng Enterprise named finalist at IChemE Global Awards 2025

ChemEng Enterprise named a finalist in the Business Start-up category.

Launched in 2019 ChemEng Enterprise is a pioneering programme designed to foster the translation of deep-tech research into spinout companies. More like a nursery than a traditional incubator or accelerator, it has rapidly established itself as a model for entrepreneurial excellence in higher education, embedding a strong enterprise culture across the Department and Imperial, and creating one of the UK’s most dynamic spinout pipelines.

In 2024–25 alone, the Department of Chemical Engineering achieved a record five IP-based spinouts in a single financial year – a feat unmatched in Imperial’s history. Remarkably, these accounted for one third of Imperial’s total IP-based spinouts that year, despite the Department representing just three per cent of the University’s academic staff.

Since its inception, ChemEng Enterprise has supported the launch of ten spinouts – including DyeRecycle, Nanomox, Quaisr, SOLVE Chemistry, 2D Nano and Orthogonal Peptides – with many more in preparation – and the development of several others launched pre-2019.

These ventures are addressing pressing global challenges such as decarbonisation, sustainable materials, the circular economy, and advanced healthcare. Collectively, they have attracted significant investment and non-equity funding, while building solutions with the potential for transformative societal impact.

The initiative has also grown a highly engaged enterprise community within the Department, with nearly 40% of academic staff now involved in commercialisation activities – well above the UK average. Flagship events such as the annual ChemEng Enterprise Day and hands-on Spinout Workshop Series are helping to build momentum, connect researchers with alumni and investors, and showcase the breadth of innovation emerging from within the Department.

We are delighted by the recognition of our ChemEng Enterprise programme as Finalist by such a distinguished global award Sandro Macchietto Director of ChemEng Enterprise

Professor Sandro Macchietto, Director of ChemEng Enterprise said: “We are delighted by the recognition of our ChemEng Enterprise programme as Finalist by such a distinguished global award. A measure of the programme strength, depth and impact is that two spinouts created under the programme (Bioataraxis and Brilliant Dyes), and two other Chem Eng spinouts we supported (Hexxcell and AQUABATTERY), also figure as this year’s Finalist, under various categories. A huge thank you to all involved, academics, researchers, support personnel, mentors and alumni for making this happen.”

The IChemE Global Awards are among the most prestigious in the field of chemical engineering, celebrating outstanding achievements in research, innovation, and professional practice worldwide. Winners will be announced at the IChemE Global Awards ceremony later this year.