Cellexcel flies flag for East of England in KPMG tech showdown

27 Jun, 2024
Newsdesk
CleanTech company Cellexcel Ltd – spun out of the University of East Anglia in Norwich – has beaten a strong array of Cambridge startups to be crowned KPMG’s East of England Tech Innovator and secure a place in the national final of a global search for the most exciting businesses in the sector.
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Judges Chris Bruce, Emmi Nicholl, Roz Bird; George Kolokotronis (Voltquant, runner-up), Tim Pryce (Cellexcel, winner); judges Gerard Grech and Paul Boon with KPMG duo Joe Faulkner and Tim Cross. Image courtesy –KPMG.

Cellexcel’s vision is to enable Net Zero by enhancing the performance and increase the usage of plant-based materials in manufacturing without the use of PFAS or other non-biodegradable materials, that prevent recycling. It was one of nearly 400 applications to the UK competition which was then shortlisted to 10 of the most exciting tech offerings in the region and invited to pitch in the regional heat.

Tim Pryce, CEO of Cellexcel, impressed a panel of judges at the pitching competition held at KPMG’s offices at FORA Cambridge to take home the regional Tech Innovator title.

The judges were impressed with the sustainability of the technology which has significant opportunity to reduce in greenhouse gases and its potential for growth in a market expected to grow to $80 billion by 2029.

Joe Faulkner, Senior partner for KPMG’s offices in the East of England said: “We had an outstanding response from local innovators entering the competition and a shortlist of 10 amazing businesses, stretching from semiconductors, to EdTech through to smart pressure sensing fabric.

“Cellexcel delivered a superb pitch which really impressed the judges with not only its technology, but its potential for growth in what is an important market as part of the global fight against climate change.

“It is a brilliant example of the amazing talent and exciting technology businesses that are being developed and nurtured in our towns and cities across the East of England.

“Tech Innovator in the UK is a great platform to help profile, recognise and celebrate the innovation being developed in our region and the wider UK ecosystems. I cannot wait to see what the final brings, and I wish Cellexcel Ltd and the team the best of luck in bringing the UK title back to the region.”

Pryce said: “It is a privilege to lead the Cellexcel team and present our leading technology. The win, amongst impressive fellow finalists, is a reflection on their technical and business skills and is a great boost in gaining recognition across blue chip global companies.”

The competition, in its 11th year, has uncovered British tech innovators including What3Words, Inovus Medical and 2022 winner HiiROC who went on to win the global final during Web Summit.

The shortlisted business who pitched for the regional title against Cellexcel Ltd were bit.bio, Virilitas Labs, Developing Experts, VOLTQUANT Limited, Paragraf, Graphene Trace Ltd, ED Hub Ltd, DeepMirror and EDIFORM LIMITED.

Cellexcel progresses to the national final in London in July to pitch against the winners from seven other regions for the title of Tech Innovator in the UK 2024.

The overall winner will represent the UK at a global final, which takes place alongside Web Summit in November where they will compete against businesses from 23 other countries.