Imperial College London: 'Living paint’ startup wins top entrepreneurship prize

The winning team took home a total prize of £30,000 after competing against four other startups in the VCC Grand Final.

Imperial College's flagship entrepreneurial competition is won by a startup developing a ‘living paint’ that turns buildings into CO2-absorbing structures.

In the Venture Catalyst Challenge 2024, Cyanoskin took the top prize for their innovative technology which aims to provide an efficient and cost-effective tool for capturing CO2. The start-up was founded by Royal College of Art alumnus Emma Money and Imperial College Business School alumnus Antoinette Nothomb (MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Management).

Cyanoskin argued that managers across the world are struggling to reach their net zero targets and they are over budget. They need solutions which are easy to implement and cost-effective. The solution provided by the winning team includes an innovative ‘living paint’ which turns buildings into carbon dioxide-absorbing structures for reducing pollution and emissions in urban areas.

"Throughout the program, we experienced a large sense of support from the VCC and its network. At any point, and any time when help was needed, it was quickly provided by the VCC through their incredible network," said Antoinette Nothomb, Co-founder of Cyanoskin.

VCC 2024 Details

Venture Catalyst Challenge 2024 took 25 teams through a 3-month programme of 1-2-1 coaching, workshops and pitch training, and meetings with experts. VCC's total £100,000 prize fund is the biggest prize fund of any UK university entrepreneurship competition. Over 11 years, VCC supported 275 teams and gave away £580,000 in prize money, and helped teams who have gone on to raise £210 million in external funding and created more than 750 jobs.

The VCC has a strong record of supporting early-stage innovative businesses comprising Breathe Battery (who are now partnering with Volvo), Notpla (winners of the Earthshot Prize 2022), and FA Bio (who have raised more than £5m in investment).

The judges included - Lucy Jung, a former VCC participant and CEO of Charco Neurotech, Professor Eric Yeatman, Chair of the Board of Imperial’s I-X, and George Hadjigeorgiou, co-founder of the health app ZOE. The finalists were split into five tracks including Digital & Finance, Energy & Environment, AI & Robotics, Creative & Consumer, and Health & Wellbeing. 

VCC 2024: Other track winners  

Amino Analytics won in AI & Robotics, they are developing virtual screening software that predicts protein properties to accelerate drug discovery, acting as a ‘crystal ball’ for pharma companies.

Vox Aeris is the winner in Creative and Consumer. They are developing alternative air purification methods to bring more efficient, sustainable, and adaptable air quality solutions into our daily lives.

SurgeryAI in Digital and Finance for developing an AI tool that uses surgical data to accurately predict procedure times and produce more efficient schedules for operating rooms, eliminating avoidable delays caused by scheduling gaps and underutilised rooms.

Neubond in Health & Wellbeing for developing wearable devices for stroke mobility rehabilitation that autonomously deliver therapy during daily activities, allowing for use discreetly at any time and anywhere.

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