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Leading scientists, engineers, investors and industry leaders have gathered in the US for the official launch of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s new hub in San Francisco. 

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA – the university’s first physical presence in the US – has been launched with a pledge to create 100 new US-UK science and technology partnerships in 2025.

The new hub makes 51³Ô¹ÏÍø the first UK university to have a permanent science and tech base on US soil.

"51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA will play an important role in advancing our work in North America - strengthening our partnerships with US academia and industry, supporting our growing US alumni network, and showcasing more of what makes 51³Ô¹ÏÍø special to prospective students." Professor Hugh Brady President of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

The event, held at the headquarters of software and AI robotics company and hosted by Professor Hugh Brady and , CEO of Intrinsic, brought together leading figures in science and technology to explore partnership opportunities in key areas of AI, robotics, cleantech, biotech, and engineering biology.

Professor Hugh Brady, President of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, said: “51³Ô¹ÏÍø's long-standing connections with California have already produced fantastic research, from technologies for AI-enabled healthcare to sustainable materials to support the world’s transition to renewable energy.  

“51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA will play an important role in advancing our work in North America - strengthening our partnerships with US academia and industry, supporting our growing US alumni network, and showcasing more of what makes 51³Ô¹ÏÍø special to prospective students. By bringing more of our world-changing research closer to Silicon Valley, we can maximise our impact as a force for good in the world.”

Speaking earlier this week, Wendy Tan White, CEO of Intrinsic and Chair of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA's External Advisory Board, said: “51³Ô¹ÏÍø's new hub is the perfect fit for the San Francisco ecosystem. As a world-leading STEM university which promotes entrepreneurship, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø will be able to ignite a powerful, two-way flow of ideas, capital, and talent, expanding collaborations with US universities and industry. At the same time, it offers Silicon Valley a bridge into 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem, creating exciting opportunities for transatlantic partnerships” 

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA builds on 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s long-standing connections with California. It will make it easier for innovators partnering on both sides of the Atlantic to fund and scale their research and maximising the impact of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s work. 

"As a world-leading STEM university which promotes entrepreneurship, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø will be able to ignite a powerful, two-way flow of ideas, capital, and talent, expanding collaborations with US universities and industry." Wendy Tan White CEO of Intrinsic

It will also increase opportunities for spinouts companies from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø to accelerate their success and open up opportunities for more student exchanges between California and London. 

Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, said: “California is a gateway for innovation and entrepreneurship, and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø establishing its first-ever US hub in San Francisco is a win-win.

“This illustrates the power of international partnerships, bringing together top minds in science and technology to tackle the world’s toughest challenges — from climate solutions to advanced healthcare. Together, we’re creating opportunities for innovation that will not only benefit California but also drive progress that reaches far beyond our borders.”

The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA hub in San Francisco is one part of a network of hubs in key cities around the world which will build long-term collaborations for 51³Ô¹ÏÍø with partners, governments and knowledge organisations. 

• Read more about 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA.

Launching the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein

The launch was preceded by the US launch of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein, which brought together biotech and sustainability experts in San Francisco.

The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein, which spans seven academic departments at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, will advance research into precision fermentation, cultivated meat, bioprocessing and automation, nutrition, and AI and machine learning.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø is a world-leader in engineering biology research, with ongoing research to create new technologies for engineering microbial food, developing gene therapy tools, breaking down plastics, and transforming glycan biomanufacture for health. This year, UKRI awarded millions of pounds in funding for engineering biology projects which are led by, or involve, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø researchers.

" 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein will bring us closer to a world where people can access nutritious food without negatively impacting our climate and natural environment, while 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s new hub in the US will make collaboration even easier." Professor Mary Ryan Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise) at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

The Bezos Centre launch event opened with a presentation from Centre Director and a discussion moderated by , 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Vice-Provost (Research & Enterprise), with industry experts from organisations such as and on developing sustainable foods.

Professor Mary Ryan, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Vice-Provost (Research & Enterprise), said: “Creating enough food that’s affordable, nutritious, economically viable and suitable for the environment is one of the major challenges of our time. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein will bring us closer to a world where people can access nutritious food without negatively impacting our climate and natural environment, while 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s new hub in the US will make collaboration even easier.”

President Professor Hugh Brady said: “By bringing together biotech and sustainability expertise from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, a global top ten university driving groundbreaking research, and from San Francisco’s innovation ecosystem, we can tackle food insecurity and climate change head on.”  

• Read more about the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein.

Deep tech innovation at GBx Gala

To conclude the US visit, Professor Brady will be join leaders in British tech at the GREAT GBx Gala in San Francisco later this week, where he will present an award sponsored by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø for deep tech translation and innovation.

"The solutions that we need to tackle urgent global challenges are often built on fundamental science and engineering breakthroughs - many of which have been made at world-leading academic institutions like 51³Ô¹ÏÍø." Professor Hugh Brady President of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

The GREAT GBx Gala is an annual gathering for British founders, investors, and industry experts to celebrate the best of British technology, run in collaboration with the UK Government’s promoting the UK’s global reputation.  51³Ô¹ÏÍø is the first university to join the GBx network of leading investors, entrepreneurs and tech executives.

Many of the world’s biggest challenges – such as tackling climate change, building health resilience, and preserving biodiversity – depend on the development of technologies based on fundamental science and engineering innovations often known as ‘Deep Tech’.

The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Technology Innovation Impact Award recognises the most outstanding examples of deep tech innovation that have successfully made the journey from research labs to the commercial marketplace in the San Francisco Bay Area.

President Professor Hugh Brady said: “The solutions that we need to tackle urgent global challenges are often built on fundamental science and engineering breakthroughs - many of which have been made at world-leading academic institutions like 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.

“We are proud to be supporting this award which celebrates innovations that are driving economic growth and creating real societal benefits. Through initiatives like our Institute for Deep Tech Entrepreneurship, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is committed to nurturing the growth of the entire Deep Tech ecosystem and finding more ways to turn outstanding research into outstanding real-world impact.”

Women founders in San Francisco

As part of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s US trip, five startups led by women founders from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem travelled to San Francisco to meet potential investors and industry stakeholders.

The startups, which are working on businesses to address health and sustainability issues, attended networking events and visited incubators and accelerators in San Francisco - the centre of global venture capital.

The five startups were:

• Resting Reef – an eco-friendly memorial service that creates reef structures from human ashes and crushed oyster shells which nourish and enhance marine growth.
• Untap – an early warning system that can monitor health in real-time using data from sewage, tracking viral outbreaks before symptoms have been identified.
• P. Happi – a biotech company producing a non-antibiotic serum that helps to reduce the risk of recurrent bladder and intimate infections for women.
• EnAcuity - the first software-only solution for medical hyperspectral imaging which can be used to prevent injuries during laparoscopies (keyhole surgery).
• Nourisol – a company developing products based on algae from farmers’ soils which capture nitrogen from the atmosphere to replace synthetic fertilisers.

The startups’ visit to San Francisco was organised to celebrate 10 years of – 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's programme to support women-led startups. The programme, run by , is a targeted pre-accelerator which aims to support the next generation of women entrepreneurs and help them develop new businesses through coaching, mentoring, and business skills masterclasses. 

Since 2014, WE Innovate has supported more than 60 women-led startups, which have gone on to raise more than £37.5 million. 

More information on WE Innovate can be found on the .