Member News | Pitch perfect win for The BioFactory

The BioFactory, took to the stage at this year’s Pitch@Palace on Tour in Surrey

Eoin Sharkey - founder of The BioFactory at Pitch@Palace on Tour 12.0 in Surrey

Congratulations to our member The BioFactory, who has made it through the Pitch@Palace 12.0 Boot Camp which was held at Imperial College London’s I-HUB in October. 40 entrepreneurs took part in Boot Camp, which provided them with the opportunity to hear from leading industry experts and Pitch@Palace Alumni, as well as receiving support and mentoring from their elevators.

At Boot Camp, all entrepreneurs pitched their businesses for three minutes and received advice and feedback. A panel of judges then selected 12 entrepreneurs who will have the opportunity to pitch for 3 minutes at Pitch@Palace 12.0 in November at St James’s Palace. Unsurprisingly, Eoin Sharkey’s pitch and efforts at Boot Camp meant he was selected as one of the top 12 entrepreneurs. Good luck to Eoin Sharkey, founder of The BioFactory for your pitch at St James’s Palace - you will be brilliant!

The BioFactory has designed an all-in-one latrine and waste processing plant that utilises bio digestion to convert human waste into cooking fuel and soil conditioner. This concept was well received by the judging panel and founder Eoin Sharkey’s winning pitch fast-tracked the company to the next round.

Founded by the Duke of York in 2014, Pitch@Palace provides a platform to amplify and accelerate the work of entrepreneurs. The process gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet the people who can help make their business ideas become a reality.

Eoin Sharkey was one of our 2018-19 Graduate Innovation Award winners and you can read his guest blog about starting up the company here. The BioFactory’s funded year is coming to an end this month and we’re pleased to confirm that they will be remaining members of SETsquared Bath.

Alongside their recent success at Pitch@Palace, they were invited by Innovate UK and DFID, to represent British start-ups on an Energy Catalyst Mission to Kenya. This signified a huge networking opportunity with representatives of the energy sector allowing Eoin to learn about the needs on the continent and how The BioFactory offers solutions to fit into this landscape. Since returning, Eoin is now in the process of planning a mid-stage project application for the Energy Catalyst Round 7 with partners UWE and Practical Action.

Eoin Sharkey comments: “Since returning from Kenya, I’m now in the process of planning a mid-stage project application for the Energy Catalyst Round 7 with partners UWE, Bristol Link to Beira, and ADEL Sofala.”

The BioFactory also took part in SETsquared’s Graduate Acceleration Showcase in June this year, which gave the company a platform to pitch to 100+ plus investors and experienced business mentors.

Now Eoin needs your help to win the Pitch@Palace People’s Choice Award!