London’s Royal College of Art (RCA) has once again proven that creativity and innovation go hand in hand. The latest cohort of ten forward-thinking start-ups has just joined InnovationRCA, the college’s cutting-edge incubator programme. These design-led ventures, founded by RCA graduates and PhD students, are tackling real-world challenges through creativity, technology, and a healthy dose of rebellious thinking.
From sustainable manufacturing and AI-powered language tools to life-saving medical devices and wildfire detection systems, these start-ups are about to shake things up. And where better for disruptive innovation than London—specifically, East London, where Shoreditch has long been a hub for pioneering ideas?
A Legacy of Creative Disruption
InnovationRCA isn’t new to this game. Since launching in 2004, the incubator has helped 84 start-ups, creating over 850 jobs and securing £145 million in investment. It has backed everything from women-led ventures (52% in the past five years) to impact-for-profit businesses solving global issues. The latest ten start-ups are no exception.
So, who made the cut this year? Let’s meet the game-changers.
Batch.Works: 3D Printing, But Make It Circular
Problem: Traditional manufacturing is slow, wasteful, and expensive.
Solution: Batch.Works is leading the charge in circular, distributed 3D printing, reducing inefficiency while keeping things sustainable. Co-founded by RCA graduate Milo McLoughlin-Greening, the company is on a mission to change how businesses bring products to life—faster, smarter, and greener.
Cellment: Concrete, Reinvented
Problem: Conventional rigid composites aren’t exactly great for the planet.
Solution: Enter Cellment, a bio-composite made from naturally forming polymers. It’s strong like concrete but biodegradable, recyclable, and locally sourced. RCA Print MA graduate Bradley Hamlin is behind this eco-friendly material that could redefine construction.
Coblum: Life-Saving, Made Simple
Problem: CPR requires training, and panic situations aren’t ideal learning moments.
Solution: Coblum has developed an automated chest compression and defibrillation device—no training needed. Just one person can set it up, making life-saving CPR accessible to everyone.
The Converger: Blurring the Line Between Reality and Virtual Worlds
Problem: Gaming, sports, and live events struggle with clunky behind-the-scenes tech.
Solution: RCA PhD researcher Gaynor O’Flynn is developing The Converger, a system that bridges real-world and virtual experiences, bringing seamless interactivity to play, sports, and production environments.
Delta-E: Blue Light Fix, Without the Orange Tint
Problem: “Night mode” makes screens look weird and disrupts colour perception.
Solution: Delta-E, founded by RCA PhD student Yitong Sun, has created a patent-pending display technology that cuts blue light without ruining colours. Your melatonin levels will thank you.
H’aarf: Reinventing Arabic Language Learning
Problem: Arabic has over 38 characters, making it tricky to learn.
Solution: H’aarf simplifies Arabic into just eight characters, integrating AI-assisted flick-input technology to improve writing, reading, and understanding. RCA Global Innovation Design graduate Maroa-Isabell Alsahlani is using design to make learning more accessible.
PulpaTronics: Eco-Friendly RFID Tech for Retail
Problem: Traditional RFID tags (used in inventory tracking) are costly and bad for the environment.
Solution: PulpaTronics, founded by RCA Innovation Design graduates Chloe So and Barna Soma Biro, is developing a sustainable alternative—one that the retail industry desperately needs. The company has already secured investment from the RCA’s Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund.
Pyri: Early Wildfire Detection, Inspired by Nature
Problem: Wildfires spread fast, and current detection methods aren’t fast enough.
Solution: Pyri has designed a bio-inspired, bio-based wildfire sensor that detects fires early and alerts nearby communities. This patent-pending tech, developed by Richard Alexandre, Richard “Blake” Goodwyn, and Karina Gunadi, could save lives and ecosystems.
Reporti: Making Live Events Safer
Problem: Reporting incidents at concerts, festivals, and clubs is a nightmare.
Solution: Reporti is a real-time incident reporting app that enhances safety for event-goers. RCA Global Innovation Design graduate Gracie Broom has already secured investment, proving that safer events are finally within reach.
Sandware: Walking on Sand, Without the Beach
Problem: Foot pain—especially Plantar fasciitis—is incredibly common.
Solution: RCA Healthcare & Design graduate Porthia (Piyaporn) Tantivorawong and Marisa Rojanasingsawad have developed Sandware, a patent-pending footwear innovation that mimics the sensation of walking on sand, offering relief for those with chronic foot pain.
RCA’s Global Innovation Influence
The RCA isn’t just about art and design—it’s about creating real impact. A recent Royal Academy of Engineering and Beauhurst report places RCA among the top ten UK universities for spinouts, alongside heavyweights like Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, and Imperial.
Their latest fund, RCA Design & Innovation S/EIS, is already backing early-stage companies across med-tech, climate-tech, ag-tech, and software sectors. Start-ups here don’t just launch, they scale.
Universities as Start-Up Powerhouses
This week, Universities UK (UUK) launched “Unis Start Up the UK”, an initiative highlighting the economic power of student start-ups. By 2028, UUK estimates that 27,000 new start-ups could emerge from UK universities. That’s a major economic boost, fueled by 400+ accelerators and 300 incubation hubs.
With InnovationRCA leading the charge, expect to see many of these disruptive ventures shaping the future—perhaps even in the heart of Shoreditch, where creativity and business collide daily.
What’s Next?
The future is looking sharp, sustainable, and a whole lot smarter. If these start-ups are anything to go by, design-led innovation isn’t just the future—it’s already here.
To keep up with the latest in London’s creative and start-up scene, follow @Mis.Mag and watch this space.
