NEWS27 April 2020
Smart Separations, a microfiltration company located on Surrey Research Park, was crowned the winner at the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) ePitching session as it seeks solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 15 April 2020 seven EIC-backed innovators pitched in front of investors during a dedicated European Innovation Council (EIC) ePitching session.
EIC reported that the pitching session saw an overwhelming amount of innovative solutions being proposed to help combat COVID-19 but only the seven best made the cut and Smart Separations stole the thunder with its COVID-blocking microfilter.
Smart Separations
Smart Separations has developed a nano technology-based smart coating, which destroys viruses, bacteria and mold. The coating is used on their ceramic filters that block particles efficiently. Both the coating and filters act on air and surfaces, two of the main ways that Coronavirus spreads.
Hugo Macedo said: “We at Smart Separations are trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have created easy to deploy coated stickers that fix to hundreds of surfaces where Coronavirus is commonly present (supermarket packaging, hospital door panels, ATMs etc. In addition, our coated gloves, masks and air filters offer a solution for everyday use, in public transportation, offices or nursing homes. They provide protection to ensure that the air you breathe and surfaces all around you are virus-free”.
The smart coatings and ceramic filters are being used to help create PPE, masks and gloves that destroy SARS-CoV-2 on contact. They offer a reusable and efficient solution to health systems that are facing a shortage in access to PPE.
Entrepreneur and scientist Hugo Macedo founded Smart Separations in 2013 to develop a new microfiltration platform using its patented ceramic membrane. The company received funding from the EIC Accelerator in 2018. Now nested at the Surrey Research Park (Guildford, UK), incubated in the World’s Top Business Incubator SET Squared, and at the world’s leading International Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), it has grown to a team of 20+, all dedicated to improving quality of life through innovation. Its accolades include the Rushlight Clean Environment Award, 1st prize in the MED.Ideas Cancer Award and The Guardian’s Startup of the Year.
“Alongside these existing solutions, a wide range of manufacturing partners want our Smart Coatings for their own products; from mobile phone covers, to supermarket trolleys and doctor surgery check in screens”, said Hugo Macedo.
The EIC ePitching sessions with investors are a great opportunity for businesses to showcase their company and product in front of a large group of investors, according to Hugo.
“These events offer us the opportunity to quickly get the word out there and to form critical partnerships to enable us to scale up. As well as manufacturing partners and support, we urgently need the right financial partners to help us scale fast and meet all the demands where our technology is desperately needed.” added Hugo. Being crowned winner is the cherry on the cake: “I didn’t go into the event expecting to be awarded with best pitch. I didn’t have much time to give it thought. But, yes that exceeded my expectations. The challenge now is how quickly we can bring these solutions to those who need it most.”
For more information on EIC and how it is engaging innovators in the fight against COVID-19 please view here.