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Celebrating UCL’s inspiring startup community
15 July 2024
UCL startups received funding and recognition for their achievements at this year’s entrepreneurial summer showcase.
On 10 July, UCL’s entrepreneurial community gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievements of UCL startups. The event was held at BaseKX, UCL’s dedicated entrepreneurship hub in King’s Cross.
The event started with a talk from UCL alumnus Arthur Kay (UCL Architecture 2013), founder of bio-bean and Sky Room. Arthur shared the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey and praised the support he received from UCL which helped him kick-start his venture. He also answered questions from the audience.
Following Arthur’s talk, UCL startups pitched their business in 90 seconds to the audience, showcasing the breadth and depth of innovative ideas emerging from UCL.
Awards were then given to UCL startups, acknowledging their significant achievements, growth and contribution to the UCL entrepreneurial ecosystem. Nine startups received between £500 and £3,000 to further develop their offerings, ideas and businesses.
All participating entrepreneurs have been supported by UCL Innovation & Enterprise via the Hatchery incubator programme.
The evening concluded with a BBQ and networking session, allowing attendees to connect and celebrate the shared successes.
Kathryn Walsh, Executive Director, UCL Innovation & Enterprise, said: “It was fantastic to celebrate the businesses coming out of UCL. We have a hugely talented community of students and alumni at UCL who have received invaluable support from our Hatchery incubator programme to build their businesses. Many congratulations to all of the award winners, we look forward to following your journeys.”
The winners
UCL Hatchery Startup of the Year Award: Interstellar Space Technologies
Awarded for their outstanding innovation, growth and engagement throughout the year.
Founded by Mohit Joshi (MSc Technology Management, 2021), Interstellar Space Technologies is an in-space manufacturing and construction company.
Mohit Joshi, founder of Interstellar Space Technologies, said: "Winning this award means a great deal to me. It represents recognition of our hard work and innovation, validating our vision. Interstellar Space Technologies aims to build things in space and revolutionise the way we live and explore space by enabling mass manufacturing in space by building access to space service. This award provides a significant boost, both in terms of morale and resources, as we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in space technology.
"The Hatchery incubator program has provided us with amazing support from the beginning, including office space, connections, advice, and making us part of the thriving startup ecosystem at UCL. It has been incredible."
Highly commended: Plenti Space
Plenti Space develops robotic interior systems that make urban living more affordable, sustainable and comfortable. The business was founded by Markus Urban (Architectural Space & Computation MPhil/PhD, 2023).
UCL Hatchery Engagement Award: Inxinct Security
Awarded for their outstanding engagement with the Hatchery incubator programme community.
Founded by Deepanjan Paul (MSc Information Security, 2019), Inxinct Security crafts cybersecurity solutions for startups and SMEs looking to protect their sensitive data.
UCL Hatchery Newbie Award: Flexibility Matters
Awarded to the startup from the most recent cohort who quickly made a significant impact and demonstrated remarkable progress and potential, as well as displaying engagement and enthusiasm during the initial induction period.
Flexibility Matters, founded by Bethany Shum (Performing Arts Medicine, 2022), is a pain physiotherapist and performing arts medicine specialist.
UCL Hatchery 2023 Intake Award: Kinity
Awarded to the top-performing startup from the 2023 Spring and Autumn cohorts.
Founded by Jenny Starzetz (PhD Social Science, current student), Kinity creates picture books for children based on real stories and people.
Highly commended: Medly AI
Co-founded by Dr Kavi Samra (Medicine, 2021) and Dr Paul Jung (Medicine, 2023 and PhD Mental Health Neuroscience, 2022), Medly AI provides AI-powered personalised, digital tutoring for all students.
UCL Hatchery and Diverse Founders’ Network (DFN) Breaking Barriers Award: Studium Education
Awarded for founders who have overcome significant challenges and barriers, and startups that have equity, diversity and inclusion at the heart of their business model.
Founded by Jonah Boothe (Medicine MBBS BSc, current student), Studium Education offers a suite of services to support high school students in their entry and journey through medicine, making medicine more accessible.
Founder of Studium Education, Jonah Boothe said: "I’m ecstatic to win the award. I know that there are some amazing startups in the Hatchery that are also committed to making a more inclusive society, so to win is amazing. It’s a few more funds that I can dedicate to making medicine more inclusive."
Highly commended: YourCue
YourCue has developed a device to enable continuous vital sign monitoring for every patient admitted to a care home or hospital. The startup was co-founded by Dr Nikhit Anilbhai and Sonakshi Senthil (MSc Personalised Medicine and Novel Therapies, 2021).
UCL Sustainability Impact Award: Phyta Biodesign
Awarded to a UCL startup making a significant impact in sustainability.
Founded by Zain Ansari (UCL Bio-Integrated Design MArch 2022), Phyta Biodesign develops green architecture solutions to re-wild the built environment.
Founder of Phyta Biodesign Zain Ansari said: "The prize money will really help us to progress our research and development, we're truly grateful for the generous award. The Hatchery incubator programme has played a key role in the development of our startup since its inception. The entire team has been extremely helpful in mentoring us for various aspects such as strategy development, prototyping and commercialisation."
Entrepreneurial support at UCL
UCL’s thriving entrepreneurial community creates startups that attract millions of pounds of investment, creating jobs and spearheading innovation that boosts the UK economy. Over the last 10 years, more than 540 new student startups were started at UCL. Collectively they have raised over £400 million in investment and currently employ over 2,000 people (HEBCI 2013 to 2023).
UCL’s most promising startups, founded by UCL students, staff and recent graduates, have access to the Hatchery incubator programme. Here they have access to tailored advice and mentoring as well as fully funded office space to help kickstart and grow their business.
Other entrepreneurial support for students and recent graduates includes events, workshops and a dedicated programme for doctoral students and early career researchers, called SPERO.
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