Ten new start-ups join InnovationRCA incubation programme

The latest start-ups to be onboarded into the InnovationRCA incubation programme join a cohort of wider design-led businesses applying design, creativity and technology to address real-world challenges and develop opportunities for growth. All founded by graduates or PhD students from the RCA, the companies will benefit from bespoke business support and mentoring to help them to transform compelling ideas into successful businesses.

InnovationRCA, the College’s centre for entrepreneurship and commercialisation, helps staff, students and alumni transform new design ideas into successful businesses. Founded in 2004, the centre has supported 120 graduates to launch 84 start-ups, creating more than 850 UK jobs. To date, InnovationRCA-backed ventures have gone on to raise over £145 million from other investors. Around 40% of the InnovationRCA portfolio consists of impact-for-profit companies and in the past five years 52% have been women-led. Its companies which are trading had a combined turnover of more than £38 million last year.

According to a 2024 report by Beauhurst and the Royal Academy of Engineering, the RCA is among the top ten UK universities for the number of spinouts between 2011 and 2024, sitting alongside Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial, Bristol and Edinburgh.

In February 2025, the RCA and Infinity Asset Management LLP announced the completion of the fifth investment from the RCA Design & Innovation S/EIS Investment Fund - a fund focused on backing early-stage companies founded by RCA staff or graduates. Reflecting the nature of innovation at the RCA, the multi-sector fund is investing in a range of technology and product companies encompassing the med-tech, climate-tech and ag-tech sectors, as well as software companies and creative brands, many of which will be based on patentable inventions.

This week, Universities UK (UUK) also launched Unis Start Up the UK, an initiative to showcase student start-ups and the work universities are doing to support them. Additionally, the initiative aims to highlight the vital role these start-ups play in boosting economic growth nationally and locally by creating jobs and attracting investors, as well as how universities are equipping entrepreneurs with the right skills through incubator hubs.

New analysis, provided by UUK, has revealed that with the right support, by 2028, 27,000 new start-ups could be established by students and staff at UK universities supported by over 400 accelerators and 300 incubation hubs in universities in all parts of the country.

Batch.Works is building circular, distributed 3D printing solutions to address manufacturing industry challenges such as inefficiency, quality control, and sustainability. Batch.Works aims to empower businesses to create innovative products quickly and cost-effectively, transitioning from traditional manufacturing to more agile and circular methods. Batch.Works was co-founded by Julien Vaissieres and Design Products MA graduate Milo Mcloughlin-Greening.

Cellment is developing a versatile bio-composite bound with naturally forming polymers that is strong like concrete when cured at low temperatures. The bio-based patent-pending material has potential to become a sustainable alternative to current rigid composites that are widely used in various industries. Cellment is locally sourced, biodegradable and recyclable; which greatly reduces carbon emissions and waste. Cellment is founded by Print MA graduate Bradley Hamlin.

Coblum is developing an all-in-one solution for cardiac first aid. Its patent-pending device automates chest compression and defibrillation for complete cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) support. With no prior skills or training required to use the patent-pending device, and with only one person needed to set it up, Coblum has potential to make saving lives simple and accessible to all. Coblum is founded by Léo Melloul, Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc graduate.

The Converger is developing technology to bridge the gap between the real-world and virtual events or play. Initially conceived to streamline production environments which rely on an array of different behind the scenes technology and technical skills to set up, The Converger’s patent-pending algorithm also has applicability in modern Gaming and Sports Play. It will bring the flexibility and creativity that virtual environments offer to the real world and vice versa and provide players / gamers or audiences with authentic and immediate experiences. The Converger is being developed by artist Gaynor O’Flynn who is undertaking her PhD research at the RCA.

Delta-E is developing a patent-pending software that reduces “blue light” stimulation from displays whilst preserving the colour gamut and overall fidelity of images, avoiding the colour perception issues usually associated with “night mode”. This in turn is known to avoid sleep disturbances associated with melatonin suppression, as well as reducing digital eye strain. Delta-E is founded by Yitong Sun, a PhD student at the Computer Science Research Centre.

H’aarf is developing an AI-assisted flick-input keyboard and immersive language learning app. It simplifies the Arabic alphabet and provides contextual understanding, reducing the 38+ Arabic language characters to eight to enhance reading and writing skills, and bridge the gap between spoken dialects and written Arabic. By integrating Arabic script rules, the haptics of calligraphy, and the anatomy of typography, H’aarf is using design as a problem-solving tool. H’aarf is founded by Global Innovation Design MA/MSc graduate, Maroa-Isabell Alsahlani.

PulpaTronics is developing a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to single-use radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags for inventory solutions that reduce environmental impact. The company’s patent-pending technology is designed to meet the growing demand, particularly in the retail industry, for eco-friendly solutions. PulpaTronics is founded by Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc graduates Chloe So and Barna Soma Biro. In addition to receiving support from InnovationRCA, PulpaTronics has also secured investment from the RCA Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund.

Pyri is developing a patent-pending bio-inspired and bio-based early wildfire detection system for remote and low-cost coverage. The heat from nascent wildfires activates Pyri’s novel electronics which emit a radio frequency signal to alert adjacent communities. Pyri is founded by Innovation Design Engineering MA/MSc graduates Richard Alexandre, Richard “Blake” Goodwyn and Karina Gunadi.

Reporti is developing a real-time incident reporting platform that enhances safety at live events such as concerts, festivals, nightclubs, and sports matches. Designed to address barriers to incident reporting, Reporti allows attendees to digitally report safety issues and receive immediate, tailored feedback. By combining real-time response capabilities with proactive safety planning, Reporti makes live events smarter, and more inclusive for both attendees and organisers. Reporti was founded by Global Innovation Design MA/MSc graduate Gracie Broom. In addition to receiving support from InnovationRCA, Reporti has also secured investment from the RCA Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund.

Sandware is developing a patent-pending footwear innovation that mimics the sensation of walking barefoot on sand and is intended to alleviate the pain associated with Plantar fasciitis. Sandware is founded by Healthcare & Design MRes graduate Porthia (Piyaporn) Tantivorawong and Marisa Rojanasingsawad.