University of Bath success at The SPARKies Awards 2024 to celebrate the best in tech

The University of Bath is proud to announce success at this year's SPARKies Awards in which we were awarded recognition in two categories: Most Innovative Use of Tech, awarded to our biotech spinout EnsiliTech, and Best Mentor, awarded to alumnus Laurence James, Student Mentor in Residence.

The SPARKies Awards are an established annual ceremony to celebrate the best of tech in the South West. Powered by techSPARK, a not-for-profit organisation focused on strengthening and supporting the region’s tech ecosystem.

Most Innovative Use of Tech

EnsiliTech is a biotechnology spinout developing ensilication, a platform technology, to remove the need for refrigeration when transporting and storing biologicals such as vaccines, antibody treatments, or even insulin Ensilitech spun out from the University of Bath in July 2022.

Their win for Most Innovative Use of Tech is a testament to the cutting-edge research commercialisation happening at the University of Bath. In January 2023, EnsiliTech had finalised a first, oversubscribed, pre-seed investment round of £1.2M. This consisted of an Innovate UK grant and private investment from Science Angels Syndicate, Fink Family Office, QantX, and angels.

Dr Asel Sartbaeva, Co-Founder and CEO of EnsiliTech, says:

It was such an honour to win Most Innovative Use of Tech in a very competitive category at The SPARKies. It continues to be a fantastic year for EnsiliTech, having been awarded a government contract to develop the world's first thermally stable mRNA vaccine. It is rewarding to see our work in vaccine stabilisation recognised.

Best Mentor

We are delighted that our longstanding Enterprise Bath mentor and alumnus, Laurence James, won Best Mentor.

Laurence's dedication to guiding and inspiring our students and young entrepreneurs has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of tech leaders. His mentorship has not only fostered individual growth but has also cultivated a thriving entrepreneurial spirit within our community.

With over 100 volunteer hours dedicated each academic year to mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, Laurence embodies the essence of mentorship, guiding and empowering the next generation of business leaders.

Alumnus Laurence James says:

I was thrilled to receive the Mentor of the Year Award at The SPARKies annual awards ceremony in Bristol. The University of Bath was well represented with shortlisted nominations in six categories with another winner in the Most Innovative Use of Tech category. For me it was also hugely rewarding to see that two students that I have mentored were shortlisted and although not successful this time around I know they will be winners in the future.

As an alumnus of the University of Bath I have found working with the Enterprise and Innovation team over many years to be a fantastic way to engage with students and help them navigate their way into the real world of business. To be nominated and win this prestigious award was just the icing on top of the cake and I would like to thank the Enterprise Bath team for putting my name forward.