Makers Making Waves: Our Amazing Alumni

To celebrate 12 years of Makerversity, we’re highlighting some of the remarkable companies that have emerged from our space, businesses that have earned impressive accolades and are creating products and services that are leading their industries. Discover more about this special cohort below.

Modern Synthesis

Modern Synthesis is a London-based biotechnology company that transforms bacteria into sustainable, high-performance materials for the fashion and design industries. By using microbial processes, they convert agricultural sugars into biodegradable alternatives to animal derived and fossil fuel based textiles and coatings. Their approach combines biology, material science, engineering, and design to create customisable, circular materials that reduce environmental impact while maintaining functionality and quality. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Modern Synthesis is helping to drive a Material Revolution, providing designers and brands with eco-friendly solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to resource scarcity.

You can find more about Modern Synthesis here.

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Petit pli

Petit Pli is an innovative children’s clothing company that designs garments that grow with kids. Using clever pleating and expandable fabrics, their clothing can adjust in size, allowing a single outfit to fit a child for much longer than traditional garments. This approach not only reduces clothing waste but also makes dressing children more convenient for parents. Committed to sustainability, Petit Pli combines thoughtful design with durable, high-quality materials, creating garments that are functional, comfortable, and environmentally responsible. By merging fashion, engineering, and sustainability, Petit Pli is redefining how children’s clothing can adapt to the realities of growing kids.

You can find more about Petit Pli here.

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Shellworks

Shellworks is a sustainable materials company that develops biodegradable, plant-based packaging solutions as an alternative to conventional plastics. Their innovative products are fully compostable, offering brands an environmentally responsible way to package their goods without contributing to long-lasting plastic waste. By combining material science with sustainability, Shellworks creates versatile packaging options suitable for a wide range of industries, from cosmetics to food and beyond. The company’s mission is to reduce the environmental impact of single-use packaging while maintaining high-quality, functional, and visually appealing solutions for modern brands committed to circular economy principles.

You can find more about Shellworks here.

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Carbon Cell

Carbon Cell is a London-based startup revolutionising the foam industry with a sustainable, carbon-negative alternative to traditional plastic foams. Their innovative material is crafted from biochar, a form of charcoal produced from agricultural waste combined with natural polymers. This expandable foam is lightweight, thermally insulative, and fully compostable, making it suitable for applications ranging from packaging to insulation. By embedding carbon within a durable product, Carbon Cell not only reduces reliance on fossil-based materials like EPS and EPP but also sequesters carbon for over a century, contributing to climate change mitigation. Their technology integrates seamlessly into existing manufacturing processes, offering a scalable and eco-friendly solution for industries seeking to decarbonize their supply chains.

You can find more about Carbon Cell here.

Jean Luc

Jean-Luc A. Lavelle is a London-based designer known for his innovative menswear brand, J.L-A.L. Established in 2020, the label emerged from Lavelle's self-taught journey into fashion design, transitioning from a background in graphic and critical design. His collections blend technical functionality with avant-garde aesthetics, featuring garments crafted from durable, three-ply textiles and incorporating elements like taped seams, zippered vents, and strategically placed pockets. Utilizing 3D development software, Lavelle minimises waste and sampling, aligning with sustainable design practices. The brand's offerings include outerwear, knitwear, trousers, and accessories, often characterised by utilitarian cuts and experimental details. J.L-A.L has garnered attention for its unique approach to fashion, merging utility with high-concept design.

You can find more about Jean Luc's clothing brand here.

The Tyre Collective

The Tyre Collective is a London-based clean-tech startup addressing the often-overlooked environmental impact of tyre wear. Founded in 2020 by Hanson Cheng, Siobhan Anderson, and Hugo Richardson, the company has developed a patent-pending device that captures tyre wear particles directly from the wheel using electrostatics and airflow. These particles, which are a significant source of microplastic pollution in oceans and a major contributor to air particulate matter, are collected at the source to prevent them from entering the environment. The captured material can then be upcycled into products such as bitumen, shoe soles, and soundproofing materials, creating a closed-loop system. The Tyre Collective's innovative approach not only mitigates pollution but also supports the transition towards zero-emission mobility by addressing a growing source of vehicle-related emissions.

You can find more about the Tyre Collective here.

Pyri

Pyri is a London-based startup dedicated to combating the escalating threat of wildfires through innovative, nature-inspired technology. Founded by Richard Alexandre, Blake Goodwyn, Karina Gunadi, and Tanghao Yu during their master's program at Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art, Pyri was born from a shared commitment to address climate-induced challenges. The company's flagship product is a heat-triggered detection system crafted from organic materials, designed to detect early-stage wildfires in remote and vulnerable communities. This low-cost, low-maintenance device offers an affordable solution for regions where traditional wildfire detection systems are inaccessible. Pyri's approach combines engineering, design, and sustainability to provide a scalable and effective means of early wildfire detection, aiming to reduce the devastating impacts of wildfires on ecosystems and communities

You can find more about Pyri here.

Studio Ini

Nassia Inglessis is a Greek-born artist, engineer, and designer who leads Studio INI, an experimental practice based in London and Athens. Her work fuses scientific research with immersive design, creating interactive installations that transform physical environments through human engagement. Studio INI's projects, such as the kinetic wall "Disobedience" and the responsive canopy "Urban Imprint," challenge the static nature of architecture by incorporating movement and sensory interaction. Drawing from her background in Engineering Science from Oxford University and training at institutions like the Royal College of Art and MIT Media Lab, Inglessis explores the concept of "augmented materiality," where materials respond dynamically to human presence. Her installations, showcased globally at venues like Somerset House, the V&A Museum, and the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, aim to provoke new perceptions and behaviors, fostering a deeper connection between humans and their built environments.

You can find more about Studio Ini here.

Samphire Neuroscience

Samphire Neuroscience is a UK-based healthtech startup revolutionizing women’s health with brain-based, non-hormonal solutions. Their flagship product, Nettle™, is a clinically validated wearable that uses gentle neurostimulation to alleviate menstrual pain and mood symptoms without drugs or hormones. Developed from decades of neuroscience research, Nettle™ targets brain circuits linked to the menstrual cycle, offering relief for conditions like PMS, PMDD, endometriosis, and dysmenorrhea. The device is complemented by the Samphire app, which provides personalised symptom tracking, cycle predictions, and guided mindfulness practices. Founded by neuroscientist Dr. Emilė Radytė, Samphire is committed to transforming women’s health through accessible, evidence-based care that fits seamlessly into daily life. Their mission is to empower women to manage their health on their own terms, without the side effects of traditional treatments.

You can find more about Samphire Neuroscience here.

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