51³Ô¹ÏÍø

The Department of Chemical Engineering at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø will host ChemEng Enterprise Day 2026 on 29 April, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders to explore the latest innovations emerging from the department.

ChemEng Enterprise has one of the best records at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø of translating its research into successful ventures, with one spinout launched per £10.3m of research in the last 6 years. Following well attended previous editions, this year’s event will highlight new spinout ventures, emerging technologies, and investment opportunities in the materials, energy, climate tech and biotech areas, developing and strengthening connections with the broader innovation ecosystem.

The day will commence with an opening by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s President, Hugh Brady, followed by a welcome from Professor Sandro Macchietto, Director of ChemEng Enterprise, introducing the department’s enterprise activities, its growing pipeline of start-ups, and their record in translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact.

Showcasing successful spinouts

A key session will welcome back some of our recent spinout companies, sharing updates on their progress. The presentations will provide insights into how early-stage ventures are developing technologies, scaling operations, and navigating the commercialisation journey.

These updates will highlight the strength of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s entrepreneurial community and the opportunities for collaboration between academia, industry, and investors.

Connecting innovators and investors

Following a networking lunch and poster session, the programme will include a Reverse Pitches session, where investors will outline how they can work with early stage tech companies and the ventures they are seeking to support.

Teams developing new spinout ventures will also present technologies currently moving through the department’s pipeline, giving attendees an early look at innovations with strong commercial potential.

We found this format offers researchers and founders a unique opportunity to understand investor priorities and funding pathways, and conversely, for investors to sample what’s coming in a less pressurised atmosphere than classical “pitch events”.

Distinguished Enterprise Lecture

The event will also feature the Inaugural ChemEng Distinguished Enterprise Lecture, a part of the Chemical Engineering’s flagship Distinguished Seminar Series delivered this year by Nalin Agarwal, CEO of Climate Collective, one of India’s largest and most successful Climate Tech accelerators. The lecture will explore entrepreneurship and climate innovation, offering perspectives on how new ventures can accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.

Owing to the popularity of the speaker, this lecture is by registration only – early registration is encouraged.

Networking and collaboration

In the spirit of cultivating relationships, ChemEng Enterprise Day will conclude with a drinks reception, giving participants the opportunity to continue conversations and build connections across 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s enterprise community.

By bringing together innovators, investors, and industry partners, the event aims to support the translation of chemical engineering research into impactful technologies and successful start-ups.

Find out about Enterprise Day 2025.