Latest news from University of Birmingham Enterprise

Salinity Solutions secures £1m investment from SQM Lithium Ventures

Salinity Solutions staff in factory
Description:
The investment, from one of the world’s leading producers of battery-grade lithium chemicals, will fund the next stage of the company's growth.
Date:
18 March 2024

Novel technologies for transforming wind turbine and power grid stability control

wind turbines in green fields
Description:
The technologies overcome forced oscillations and grid frequency events, which can cause widespread disruption over entire power grids.
Date:
13 March 2024

Exam marking platform raises £1.6m to target US growth

Graide's founding team
Description:
Graide uses assistive AI and machine learning to help teachers grade essays and provide feedback to students.
Date:
27 February 2024

Boosting EV range with microwave energy

Man charging car in the snow
Description:
The method charges the car at an EV charging station, and the charging process stores the microwave energy inside the car.
Date:
22 February 2024

Tagomics raises £6.7m to improve disease diagnosis

Company co-founders and CTO
Description:
The investment will accelerate the spinout's R&D, with the goal of delivering improvements in diagnosis and tretment for cancer and other diseases.
Date:
21 February 2024

University of Birmingham signs pioneering collaboration agreement with Vital Energi

Professor Yulong Ding and Chris Taylor shaking hands
Description:
The University and Vital Energi will work together to continue the development of thermal storage Intellectual Property (IP).
Date:
20 February 2024

Further funding for new device to improve treatment of anal fistula

Woman, looking worried
Description:
The award will fund a clinical study across 10 UK hospitals to demonstrate clinical safety and healing endpoints in over 100 patients.
Date:
14 February 2024

MoniRail wins funding to develop quantum-based navigation system for railways

Inside of a railway tunnel at high speed
Description:
University of Birmingham spin out MoniRail has been awarded a prestigious contract by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Innovate UK.
Date:
12 February 2024

Michabo Health Science: research on behalf of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Sampling water from a lake
Description:
The spinout is working with a consortium on the reliability and relevance of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) as alternatives to animal testing.
Date:
06 February 2024

Birmingham Platelet Group recognised in 2023 Pharmaceutical Technology Excellence Awards

A closeup of a microscope.
Description:
Birmingham researchers have been celebrated for their breakthrough work in thrombosis.
Date:
02 February 2024

Innovators launch new initiative to help address UK's battery skills gaps

A young person in a formula racing vehicle
Description:
Spinout About:Energy launches ‘Formula Student: Drive to Recharge’ to support battery skills development
Date:
24 January 2024

Space project to boost map-making and environmental monitoring

satellite image of coastal region
Description:
Microsatellites (smallsats) will fly in tight formation and provide a highly accurate profile of the earth’s surface
Date:
23 January 2024

Researchers unveil new way to counter mobile phone ‘account takeover’ attacks

Mobile phone user doing thumb print security
Description:
To understand and prevent these attacks, researchers had to get into the mind of the hacker, who builds a complex attack by combining smaller tactical steps.
Date:
22 January 2024

Novel railway point switching technology, inspired by aircraft control systems

railway tracks
Description:
Repoint improves on the traditional design, which has been in use for over 200 years.
Date:
10 January 2024

First production of recycled magnets at Tyseley Energy Park, Birmingham

Aerial view of Tyseley Energy Park
Description:
The start of production is a major milestone in securing a supply chain that will fulfil demand for these elements.
Date:
18 December 2023

Upcycling battery materials for next generation EV batteries

A lithium battery pack module with bms available for electric car or storage power station
Description:
The researchers believe this is the first time such materials have been made from recycled feedstock.
Date:
13 December 2023

Spinout About:Energy and Eatron Technologies win funding to extend electric vehicle battery lifetime

Electric car at charging point
Description:
The companies have been awarded funding from UKRI’s Faraday Battery Challenge.
Date:
05 December 2023

Eye-safe laser technology to diagnose traumatic brain injury

Female cyclist knocked over by car
Description:
The technology is expected to be developed into a hand-held device for use in the critical ‘golden hour’ after traumatic brain injury
Date:
29 November 2023

Birmingham biomedical incubator lands national award

PraxisAuril award
Description:
Unit 9 launched in 2022 to provide much-needed space for Birmingham’s biomedical innovators.
Date:
28 November 2023

Birmingham launches AI-powered design for industrial processing equipment

EvoPhase founders
Description:
EvoPhase will use an AI-led ‘evolutionary design’ approach that is applicable to a diverse range of equipment, across many industries.
Date:
06 November 2023

New AI platform to mark essays in all subjects – including English

Teacher marking homework
Description:
The assistive AI platform has been tested independently by Oxbridge, who ran their English marking through the platform with remarkable results.
Date:
01 November 2023

Birmingham rare earth magnet recycling technology selected as Minerals Security Partnership project

Recycling machinery in a laboratory at the university
Description:
One of only 17 projects selected by the MSP, which aims to build secure, responsible mineral supply chains to meet net zero-carbon goals.
Date:
26 October 2023

Birmingham precious metal experts to work together in Prosperity Partnership

Mineral sintered by laser
Description:
The project involving will see university researchers work with Cooksongold Additive Manufacturing to develop precious metal alloys for 3D printing
Date:
25 October 2023

New approach for battery recycling, using less energy and less hazardous chemicals

The dashboard of a Nissan Leaf vehicle
Description:
The new method can simplify battery recycling, which currently concentrates on recycling elements by dissolving battery cathodes using strong acids
Date:
20 October 2023

Birmingham-born concussion diagnostic collaborates with 2023/24 United Rugby Championship

Rugby players tackling
Description:
The URC is collaborating with Marker Diagnostics, which was founded in 2016 following pioneering concussion research at the University of Birmingham.
Date:
19 October 2023

Midlands companies join Innovation Accelerator for new healthcare technologies

Doctor looking at a spine scan.
Description:
Multiple organisations from across the region are joining the University of Birmingham to drive new healthcare technologies towards commercialisation.
Date:
18 October 2023

Birmingham Platelet Group delivers breakthrough ‘nanobody’ technology

Scientist looking at slide under microscrope
Description:
Birmingham researchers created antibody fragments called nanobodies to help scientists understand more about platelet disorders such as bleeding or thrombosis
Date:
12 October 2023

Birmingham research shortlisted for the 2023 Electronics Weekly Readers’ Choice Award

Liquid gallium metal
Description:
Dr Yi Wang was shortlisted for a new ‘phase shifter’ technology that will reduce signal loss in antenna systems
Date:
27 September 2023

Birmingham launches new Dental and Biomaterials Testing Service

The BiMaTs team pictured at the Birmingham Dental School
Description:
BiMaTs will offer a range of services including developing protocols that are specific to the needs of individual clients
Date:
18 September 2023

Partnership to create UK's first circular supply chain for wind turbine rare earth magnets

Wind turbines at sea
Description:
The "Re-RE Wind" partnership seeks to play a pivotal role in securing the future of sustainable wind energy.
Date:
11 September 2023

Birmingham scientists partner Canadian critical minerals extraction experts

Mobile phone
Description:
A new partnership agreement will bring the University of Birmingham’s mineral extraction expertise to new markets.
Date:
01 September 2023

Novel biologic Ab-IPL-IL-17™ shows promise for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease

Elderly woman with painful arthritic hands
Description:
The antibody targets a section of signalling proteins that play a central role in sustaining inflammation during onset and progression of autoimmune diseases
Date:
15 August 2023

Researchers aim for rapid biomarker diagnostic test for stroke, using saliva

Paramedics inside an ambulance securing a patient on a gurney
Description:
The study aims to identify biomarkers in blood, urine, or saliva, for rapid diagnosis so patients are routed directly to the most appropriate treatment centre.
Date:
20 July 2023

Spinout Delta g raises £1.5m to build gravity gradiometry platform for mapping the underground space

House with subsidence, underground tunnel, London Underground train, ruptured gas pipes
Description:
Leading venture capital companies have invested in Delta g to enable their vision of creating the ‘Google Maps for the underground space’
Date:
13 July 2023

Birmingham start-up awarded funding for technology that generates water out of air

Steam and water droplets
Description:
The founders met as graduate researchers at the University. Their company is offering solutions to the global water scarcity crisis.
Date:
12 July 2023

Midlands Mindforge announces new Chief Executive and Chair

Chief Executive and Chairperson
Description:
Co-founded by eight Midlands universities, Midlands Mindforge will support the creation and growth of university spinouts and IP rich companies in the region
Date:
23 June 2023

Birmingham research contributes to World Rugby’s international player welfare campaign

Rugby players
Description:
Birmingham research underpins the concussion test which was used throughout the collaboration
Date:
22 June 2023

Chronic wound healing using glass

Close up of glass fibres
Description:
The study shows how silver impregnated into ‘bioactive glass’ delivers more long-lasting antimicrobial wound protection than conventional alternatives
Date:
15 June 2023

Battery spinout About:Energy secures £1.5m seed investment

About:Energy staff
Description:
The seed round had participation from HighSage Ventures, Vireo Ventures, Rishi Khosla, Plug & Play Ventures, and Electric Revolution Ventures.
Date:
08 June 2023

Birmingham spinout to develop 20-minute test following surge in sexually transmitted infections

Male patient with nurse
Description:
Funds awarded to Linear Diagnostics for rapid point-of-care test for gonorrhoea and Chlamydia in men who have sex with men, and women who have sex with women.
Date:
08 June 2023

New concussion study in women’s rugby

women playing rugby
Description:
Marker Diagnostics, which developed a saliva-based concussion diagnostic based on Birmingham research, is to start a study on concussion in sportswomen.
Date:
18 May 2023

Birmingham to become UK’s first centre for rare earth magnet recycling

Tyseley Energy Park from the air
Description:
Rare earth magnets, one of the building block materials for clean growth, will be recycled at a plant at Birmingham’s Tyseley Energy Park
Date:
17 May 2023

The ‘invisible’ cellulose coatings that mitigate surface transmission of pathogens

person reaching for a door handle
Description:
A thin film of cellulose fibre that is invisible to the naked eye, is suitable for use on high traffic objects such as door handles and handrails.
Date:
17 May 2023

Birmingham provides world-leading dental health expertise to Sigrid Therapeutics

 Professor Iain Chapple
Description:
Professor Iain Chapple will work with Sigrid to identify and develop further applications for a technology that limits oral bacteria’s access to sugars
Date:
09 May 2023

‘Vein-on-a-chip’ could help scientists study thrombosis without animal models

Computer generated image of a thrombus in bloodstream with activated platelets and fibrin
Description:
Blood clot researchers could benefit from a new device that mimics a human vein, replacing the need for animals for some studies.
Date:
27 April 2023

University of Birmingham, Dexter and Cegedim Health Data partner in gestational diabetes trial

pregnant woman doing fingertip diabetes test
Description:
The data-driven trial will use the Dexter software platform, developed at the University to identify suitable trial participants from electronic patient records
Date:
18 April 2023

Spinout About:Energy launches revolutionary battery design platform

cross section of a battery, overlaid on a development pathway
Description:
About:Energy recently secured a £1m government-funded project from the Faraday Battery Challenge programme and has now launched its first product.
Date:
04 April 2023

University of Birmingham establishes new independent investment company

digital image of quantum computing
Description:
The University of Birmingham is one of eight universities in the Midlands to establish a new investment company to accelerate commercialisation activities.
Date:
03 April 2023

Funding awarded to accelerate battery research, supporting ambitions of a cleaner, greener future

A glowing green battery
Description:
Research led at Birmingham is part of a £29 million funding package from the Faraday Institution to invest in the most promising and impactful battery research
Date:
30 March 2023

Fast chemistry takes on fast food

Plastic bottles and food containers
Description:
The University of Birmingham and engineering firm Stopford announce new funding for novel plastics recycling technology
Date:
28 March 2023

West Midlands Innovation Accelerator to Spark Growth and Innovation

Microscope with digitally imposed network design
Description:
The University of Birmingham is to participate in the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator announced this week by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Date:
17 March 2023

More than £1million of investment made in University of Birmingham student businesses

Exterior of The Exchange in Birmingham's Centenary Square
Description:
The University of Birmingham has facilitated more than £1million in funding for student and graduate start-ups through its incubator, UoB Elevate.
Date:
16 March 2023

University of Birmingham enters research collaboration with Innospec

Scientific test tubes under green light
Description:
The strategic research collaboration aims to deliver products that are safe, responsible, resource-sensitive, and environmentally considerate.
Date:
16 March 2023

Birmingham spinout Salinity Solutions signs agreement with Te-Tech Process Solutions

Operator pressing the 'start' button on Salinity's water treatment equipment
Description:
The agreement with a leading manufacturer is a pivotal moment for Salinity Solutions.
Date:
14 March 2023

New drug to lower brain pressure could treat blinding IIH headaches, trial finds

Computer generated illustration of a brain made up of blue, white and purple lights set against a black background
Description:
Phase two trial saw significant reduction in pressure in the brain and monthly headaches
Date:
13 March 2023

Novel urine-based test for non-invasive detection of bladder cancer

Medical notes, text says "diagnosis bladder cancer"
Description:
The urine-based molecular test can quickly and accurately detect bladder cancer and streamline diagnosis, reducing the need for invasive cystoscopies.
Date:
10 March 2023

Naturally occurring peptide may tackle the ‘root cause’ of obesity-related conditions

A woman injecting insulin into her stomach
Description:
Research shows the peptide called PEPITEM could provide a revolutionary approach to reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related diseases
Date:
09 March 2023

Hair care entrepreneur wins West Midlands premier pitching competition

Winner Kameese Davies with her trophy
Description:
Winner announced for Minerva Birmingham PitchUp competition, which took place at Venturefest West Midlands on March 1st.
Date:
06 March 2023

New ‘phase shifter’ technology will reduce signal loss in antenna systems

Liquid gallium held in the palm of the hand
Description:
The new phase shifter uses a liquid gallium alloy and shows low signal losses and extremely low phase deviation over a wide bandwidth.
Date:
06 March 2023

University of Birmingham, Globant, Dexter, announce R&D partnership

Female scientist in medical R&D laboratory
Description:
The partnership will help reduce the time and cost of observational and clinical studies, and de-risk R&D investment decisions in healthcare and life sciences
Date:
25 January 2023

Novel adaptation for existing blast furnaces could reduce steelmaking emissions by 90%

Steelworks
Description:
Birmingham researchers have devised a ‘closed loop’ carbon recycling system that could radically reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the steelmaking industry
Date:
24 January 2023

Blood clotting research holds hope for sepsis

Sepsis written on transparent whiteboard
Description:
Researchers who identified a novel mechanism for platelet activation in blood clotting (thrombosis) are now turning their attention to sepsis
Date:
13 December 2022

University of Birmingham announces all language capability for tool to expedite Long COVID research

Man wearing mask, looking ill
Description:
The validated Symptom Burden Questionnaire™ for Long COVID (SBQ™-LC) will help medical researchers develop or test new treatments.
Date:
08 December 2022

New device from Birmingham, U.K., to provide early diagnosis for cardiac tamponade

graphic of heart beat
Description:
Diagnostic device to monitor against post-surgery heart strangulation risk under development by company formed by Birmingham cardiothoracic surgeon
Date:
05 December 2022

University of Birmingham Enterprise lands award for ‘Deal of the Year’

Award winners at the ceremony
Description:
University of Birmingham Enterprise has won the coveted Commercial Deal of the Year award from PraxisAuril, a world-leading association for Knowledge Exchange
Date:
02 December 2022

University of Birmingham spinout founder in UK tech entrepreneur watchlist

Tim Naughton, CTO of Salinity Solutions
Description:
Tim Naughton, who co-founded engineering technology startup Salinity Solutions in 2021 has been chosen for inclusion in the TechRound ‘29under29’ listing.
Date:
24 November 2022

University of Birmingham incubator scores twice on prestigious watchlist for female entrepreneurs

Juliet Edjere of Maze (left) and Frankie Lewns of Bloomwise (right).
Description:
Two alumni from the B-Elevate incubator selected for the Telegraph NatWest 100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch list.
Date:
22 November 2022

Minerva Birmingham Investment Pitching Competition now open for applications

Kate Walker, founder of Exphand Prosthetics and winner of the 2022 PitchUp competition
Description:
Organisers of the competition, which provides training on how to secure investment, are inviting applications from ambitious small businesses in the Midlands.
Date:
22 November 2022

Researchers make miniature ‘bone marrows in a dish’ to improve anti-cancer treatments

Picture of organoid
Description:
The organoids provide a micro-environment that can accept and support the survival of cells from patients with blood malignancies
Date:
15 November 2022

ChromaTwist lands funding to develop fluorescent dyes for the flow cytometry market

ChromaTwist fluourescent dyes in test tubes
Description:
The University of Birmingham spinout has secured £487k of equity investment to develop its new class of fluorescent dyes for flow cytometry.
Date:
14 November 2022

Historic concussion monitoring collaboration extended during Women’s 2021 Rugby World Cup

Female Rugby Players
Description:
The collaboration between University of Birmingham spin-off Marker Diagnostics, Rugby Football Union and World Rugby extended for the Women’s Rugby World Cup
Date:
11 November 2022

New NoriZite™ Nasal Spray launches in the UK

Norizite box, and bottles
Description:
Award-winning innovation from Birmingham Biotech Ltd and University of Birmingham is now available in the UK
Date:
28 October 2022

New device for early detection of gum disease

Masked dentist with probe
Description:
Researchers are developing a rapid test for gum disease, which they expect to play a pivotal role in early detection of heart or lung disease, and diabetes.
Date:
13 October 2022

Therapeutic games and brain stimulation mitigates cognitive decline in older adults

Elderly people doing a jigsaw
Description:
Older people may be able to boost working memory with a new approach that couples online therapeutic games with a non-invasive brain stimulation technique.
Date:
12 October 2022

New Midlands incubator for medical technology companies

scientist in Unit 9
Description:
Birmingham now has a new short-term incubator for MedTech companies, based at the Birmingham Research Park.
Date:
29 September 2022

Rail Innovation Cluster launched by the University of Birmingham at Innotrans

Long exposure of light trails from a passing train
Description:
A new home for businesses looking to deliver innovation into the rail sector has been launched today by the University of Birmingham.
Date:
26 September 2022

University of Birmingham agree to collaborate with Global Centre for Rail Excellence

Clive Roberts of the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education and Simon Jones of the Global Centre for Rail Excellence
Description:
A new agreement will see railway expertise from academia, government and industry driving forward rail innovation at a world class rail testing centre in Wales.
Date:
21 September 2022

Research identifies new treatment target for CNS injury and neurological disease

Computer generated illustration of the nervous system network in the brain and head
Description:
Potential target could treat long-term neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease and foster nerve regeneration in central nervous system injuries.
Date:
20 September 2022

University of Birmingham signs licensing deal with world’s largest COVID-19 test provider

Gloved hand holding Covid-19 test tube
Description:
The licence is for a new testing method that is just as sensitive as PCR, but faster than a lateral flow test
Date:
04 August 2022

New method to promote biofilm formation and increase efficiency of biocatalysis

E Coli in petri dish
Description:
The researchers identified synthetic polymers that induce biofilm formation in E. coli, a bacterium commonly used in biocatalysis.
Date:
01 August 2022

Research shows investigational drug fosters nerve repair after injury

Graphic of spinal column
Description:
Scientists from the University of Birmingham have shown that a brain-penetrating candidate drug can foster regeneration of damaged nerves after spinal trauma
Date:
12 July 2022

OakNorth, S-Cube and Intercalation founders back university battery spinout About:Energy

About:Energy founders Kieran O'Regan and Gavin White
Description:
Spinout About:Energy has closed a funding round thanks to investments from three notable technology experts.
Date:
05 July 2022

Novel polymers could lead to greater crop yields for farmers

A farmer's hand holding grains of wheat
Description:
The new polymers are designed to quicken the formation of beneficial biofilms, and are expected to result in stronger plants, and higher crop yields.
Date:
21 June 2022

New technology for water quality monitoring receives prestigious award

River showing visible pollution
Description:
Birmingham researchers collaborated with industry to develop the device, which measures the quality of water in rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
Date:
14 June 2022

‘Beam-steering’ technology takes mobile communications beyond 5G

Fixed antenna, of the type used for mobile communications
Description:
A new beam-steering antenna increases transmission efficiency and opens frequencies for mobile communications that are inaccessible to current technologies.
Date:
03 June 2022

Research paves the way for stronger alloys

molten metal, being poured into moulds
Description:
Research shows how microscopic crystals grow in molten metals, and paves the way for improving the tensile strength of alloys used in casting and welding
Date:
01 June 2022

Birmingham research brings hope for spinal cord injury treatment

Illustration of human body with the spinal cord, nervous system and brain highlighted
Description:
Birmingham scientists have shown an existing drug may reduce damage after spinal cord injury, by blocking the inflammatory response in the spinal cord.
Date:
20 May 2022

Former students raise £800k for edtech platform that automates grading

The team standing in front of the University's Physics building
Description:
Three former students who developed software that cuts the time to mark maths and science papers have raised £800,000 to commercialise the system.
Date:
19 May 2022

New tool to assess Long COVID symptoms

A pensive woman wearing face mask and resting her head on her hands
Description:
A comprehensive tool that can assess the symptoms of Long COVID has been developed at the University of Birmingham for use in research and clinical care.
Date:
27 April 2022

Artificial intelligence offers solution to heavy marking loads

Staff from 6 Bit Education
Description:
An assessment and feedback platform that cuts the time taken to mark work in maths and science subjects has been designed at the University of Birmingham.
Date:
26 April 2022

New spinout Healome Therapeutics to speed development for ocular disease and eye trauma therapeutics

Close up of an eye, showing the cornea
Description:
The spinout has been created to commercially deploy a platform that delivers a ‘pro-healing’ microenvironment for the leading causes of preventable blindness.
Date:
25 April 2022

Urine test for bladder cancer could replace 1000s of invasive cystoscopies given each year

Doctors notepad, writing says diagnosis: bladder cancer
Description:
Birmingham researchers have developed a new urine test for bladder cancer that could reduce the need for invasive and time-consuming diagnostic procedures.
Date:
21 April 2022

Biomarker research boost for spinout Empower Therapeutics

Illustration of alpha, theta and delta brain wave recordings
Description:
The brainwave biomarker is being leveraged to both identify pain sensitive individuals and change their perception of pain.
Date:
06 April 2022

Birmingham software powers global road-building investment strategy

Truck driving on road in Kenya
Description:
HDM-4, a strategic planning software developed at the University of Birmingham, will get a major upgrade led by the World Bank Group.
Date:
24 March 2022

Research into sugar-based plastics shows the shape of things to come

green recycling logo
Description:
Research into sugar-based plastics shows the shape of things to come
Date:
17 March 2022

Specialist molecular diagnostic company lands in Birmingham

Staff in laboratory, wearing lab coats
Description:
Specialist molecular diagnostic company lands in Birmingham
Date:
16 March 2022

New spinout brings 'omics' to chemical safety

man testing water purity in a wilderness
Description:
New spinout brings 'omics' to chemical safety
Date:
08 March 2022

Funding success for 'supercritical water' approach to recycling plastic packaging waste

Stopford(2)
Description:
Funding success for 'supercritical water' approach to recycling plastic packaging waste
Date:
02 March 2022

Sensor breakthrough paves way for groundbreaking map of world under Earth surface

View inside a tunnel with pipework
Description:
An object hidden below ground has been located using quantum technology - a long-awaited milestone with implications for industry, human knowledge and security.
Date:
23 February 2022

A new 'supercritical water' approach to recycling plastic packaging waste

Description:
A new 'supercritical water' approach to recycling plastic packaging
Date:
10 February 2022