Impact report
2020-21
The headlines
Amount of grant funding provided in prizes
£194,174
Number of students and alumni engaged
2,573
Number of startups created
51
Director’s Welcome
Our year
Well, what a year… again!
Whilst the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been visible all around us this last year, one of the things that has truly inspired me has been the resilience, the creativity, the good humour, energy and passion of Imperial’s diverse community of innovators and entrepreneurs. From first year undergraduates, to Masters students, PhDs, postdocs and faculty, all have continued to break new ground and deliver on Imperial’s guiding mission: to translate world-class science into the real world applications for the benefit of all.
Against an uncertain backdrop, the Imperial Enterprise Lab has continued to go from strength to strength in 2020-21. Originally envisioned as a home for student entrepreneurs in 2016, the Enterprise Lab has expanded its support offering in the last 12-months to provide entrepreneurial training to Imperial postdocs (via the Techcelerate programme and newly established Venture Science Series) as well as building out our Experts-in-Residence and IVMS services to support the wider Imperial eco-system from MedTech SuperConnector to the Advanced Hackspace and beyond.
If necessity is the mother of invention, then the constraints imposed by the pandemic have continued to spur the creation of innovative new working practices and programmes – from online coaching and programme delivery
of our flagship WE Innovate and Venture Catalyst Challenge programmes to the launch of Global Challenge Lab 21, our first ever global programme in partnership with 10 international university partners enabling global teams of students to work together virtually and generate new ideas for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We have lots more exciting initiatives planned for the coming year and, regardless of whatever it might throw at us, the Enterprise Lab will remain home for Imperial’s optimists, idealists, activists, artists, rabblerousers, makers, builders, game changers, and dreamers.
Regardless of who you are, where you’re from or what you study, if you have an idea and you want to make a difference you know where to go (here’s the address just in case 😉 imperialenterpriselab.com
Ben Mumby-Croft
Director of Imperial Enterprise Lab
Operating Principles
Our Principles
Self-directed
We believe that all students should have the opportunity to pursue self directed entrepreneurial learning in parallel to their academic studies during their time at university.
Idea-based
We believe that all students should have the opportunity to pursue self directed entrepreneurial learning in parallel to their academic studies during their time at university.
Hypothesis-driven
As a STEM institution, we believe that entrepreneurial learning should be based on the scientific method; with clearly stated hypotheses validated through experimental testing wherever possible.
Skills-first
As counter intuitive as it might sound, the mission of the Lab isn’t to create startups. Our mission is to teach students the entrepreneurial skills and mindset they need to explore and validate new ideas for themselves.
Experiential
We believe the entrepreneurial method is best learned when students get outside the classroom and engage in real-world project work, with early and continued exposure to customer feedback.
Expert-assisted
To enable the above, we believe in providing personalised 1:1 coaching and mentoring support. This helps students to make sense of their experiences and properly embed lessons from real-world project work.
Founder-friendly
When it comes to student ideas and startups we don’t charge or seek equity for support; nothing, zilch, nada. All of our programmes and support services are completely FREE to access and provided with no expectation of return.
Key stats
Our Impact 20-21
2,573
Number of Experts-in-Residence (XiR)
50
Number of mentors in Imperial Venture Mentoring Service (IVMS)
75
Total number of coaching and mentoring sessions delivered
2,920
Total number of coaching and mentoring days delivered
280
Equivalent value of coaching and mentoring provided
£168,229
Amount of grant funding provided in prizes
£194,174
Number of startups incorporated
51
Startup 3-year survival rate
(Global average is 10%)
Funding raised across entire startup community
£90.3m
Click here to find out more about how the above numbers were calculated 
Case studies
Our success stories
Improving lives
Charco Neurotech is restoring the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease, as well as those with other long-term conditions, through simple and effective non-invasive medical innovation. The startup’s first product, CUE1, is a wearable device for people with Parkinson’s that uses pulsed cueing and focused vibrotactile stimulation to reduce symptoms of slowness and stiffness. The team were supported by the Imperial Venture Mentoring Service (IVMS) in setting the business up, developing financial projections, navigating legal requirements and preparing for clinical trial.
Creating a sustainable future
This year, the Multus team, made up of four Imperial students, raised £1.6M. Multus Media have developed an animal-free replacement for blood serum that can be used to feed the cells affordably and profitably. This will accelerate the forefront of an industry that will mitigate the devastating impacts of livestock agriculture.
During their time at Imperial, they participated in a range of our programmes and support services including our Venture Catalyst Challenge, Advanced Hackspace, and Imperial Venture Mentoring Service and we are so proud of all their success.
Finding solutions to
waste problems
Previously known as Polipop, WE Innovate 2016 winners, Planera, have developed the first certified flushable and biodegradable sanitary pads that disperse quickly in water. This year they brought their product to market and from September 2021, customers have been able to order a sustainable alternative for menstrual hygine.
Endorsements
Testimonials
Contact us
Get involved
Partners and sponsors
We are very grateful for the support and contributions from the following companies and institutions.
