Impulsonics wins top prize at Bristol New Enterprise Competition

Impulsonics CEO Dr Luke Cox alongside Scientific Advisor Professor Bruce Drinkwater and Business Advisor Dr Steve Kitson at the New Enterprise Competition award ceremony.

Impulsonics was awarded to top prize at the University of Bristol’s New Enterprise Competition. They received £10,000, a year’s membership at tech incubator SETsquared Bristol and pro bono legal support from VWV.

Impulsonics CEO Dr Luke Cox, said: “With so many impressive businesses entering the NEC it’s fantastic to have taken the top prize. It’s also a real vindication of everything we’re doing at Impulsonics. 

“We’ve talked to more than 150 people in the biotech industry to find out exactly what they need, and we’ve already had several expressions of interest in our technology. 

“To help develop our first product we’re currently raising in our first funding round – so get in touch if you want to be involved.” 

Prof Michele Barbour, the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Innovation, who was on the NEC judging panel, said: “Seeing the creative and genuinely innovative ideas brought to the NEC by our university community is a real highlight of the year. 

“It is always incredibly hard to pick the winners, but Luke’s research-informed technology really blew us away. I’ve done plenty of cell biology in my time and I very much recognise the barriers and problems Impulsonics’ technology seeks to address. 

“There’s no doubt in my mind that cell biology will be much, much more automated in future – and I would love for a Bristol spinout to lead the way in that laboratory revolution. ” 

Impulsonics was awarded £10,000, plus pro bono legal support from VWV, SETsquared Bristol’s in-house legal team. The year’s membership at SETsquared Bristol includes tailored business support, coaching and training, a network of advisers, mentors and investors and a community of inspiring startups to work alongside. 

Kimberley Brook, Director at SETsquared Bristol, said: “We are always impressed by the quality of student enterprises who come through this competition, and this year has been no different. All of the finalists had a unique proposition and will receive some level of follow up support from the judging panel. 

“We are delighted to offer both Impulsonics and Remap a place on our incubation programme to take their companies to the next level.” 

Other winners included an app that helps sports teams organise themselves, and a startup tackling child illiteracy with an artistically impressive computer game and board game.