Norwich Research Park is delighted to announce the ‘Super Six’ finalists for its 2026 Innovation Hothouse Competition
We are delighted to announce the ‘Super Six’ finalists for the 2026 Norwich Research Park Innovation Hothouse Competition. The competition offers start-up companies the chance to win a 12-month virtual tenancy on Norwich Research Park, in addition to cash prizes and mentorship support.
This year, the competition has evolved beyond a traditional pitch format to offer a bespoke three-month programme of support. The competition is aimed at pioneers based at Norwich Research Park who are working on solutions to problems in the global markets we serve: Agri-Food, Health, Nutrition, and the Environment.
Hannah Morrelli, Founder of Quadlytics, 2025 competition winner, reflected on the experience: “I gained a lot of new skills from entering and winning the competition last year. The mentoring was invaluable, and the process of being mentored really helped me develop a successful pitch. I also made many useful connections that helped me and my company move forward.”
All finalists are either spin-out or start-up companies founded by researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs or students based on the park campus. Previous winners include Quadlytics, RhosynBio, Zyvex Ltd, Opau, Ediform, iBOXiT, KNEE3D, PfBIO, and TraitSeq.
The selection of the finalist cohort was based on two primary factors:
- Technical and Strategic Potential, including the robustness of the science and clarity of the path to market; and
- Operational Synergy, including ventures that can articulate a clear plan to utilise the unique research expertise or world-class facilities available at Norwich Research Park.
Michael Grange, Entrepreneur in Residence at the UEA and Innovation Hothouse Mentor said: “The quality of research across Norwich Research Park made selecting our ‘Super Six’ finalists incredibly tough this year. It also highlighted the scale of world-class innovation on the campus, across Agri-tech, Food, Health, Nutrition and the Environment. The Norwich Research Park Innovation Hothouse Competition is far more than an opportunity to practise your pitch; it is a hands-on accelerator, and I can’t wait to get started with helping these finalists bridge the gap between academia and industry.”
Roz Bird, CEO at Anglia Innovation Partnership, said: “I am delighted for our ‘Super Six’ finalists and look forward to seeing their final pitches at our Enterprise Showcase event on 16 November. The Hothouse Competition not only celebrates outstanding enterprise activity from within our community, but it also provides a three-month programme of support for our six finalists to help them develop their business models and hone their pitches ready for the final. We are really proud of the entries submitted, which exemplify the unique breadth and depth of scientific activity taking place on the campus.”
Here are our 2026 ‘Super Six’ finalists:
Alejandro Morales Florez, Quadram Institute, University East Anglia
MetalloZyme
Many chemical manufacturers still rely on heavy metal catalysts, which need high temperatures, hazardous materials and complex purification to work. The result is costly, wasteful production that makes it harder for companies to meet rising demand for more sustainable manufacturing.
MetalloZyme offers a greener alternative: a biocatalyst that works in water under mild conditions, removing the need for harsh chemicals and energy-intensive equipment. It improves the efficiency and selectivity of chemical reactions, with applications spanning crop protection, pharmaceuticals and speciality chemicals. The technology helps manufacturers cut waste and simplify production, making chemical manufacturing more sustainable and cost-effective.
Dr Jayshree Ahire, University East Anglia
FemRestore
Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition where the muscles and supporting tissues of the pelvic floor weaken, causing one or more pelvic organs to descend from their normal position. This can lead to symptoms including pain, discomfort, and stress urinary incontinence. Many women eventually require surgical treatment, but current options can be limited by recurrence or concerns around permanent implants and related complications.
FemRestore aims to offer a more patient-centred alternative, providing a safer implant with optimal mechanical support, to be combined with improved clinical monitoring and the potential for easier management if complications occur. The project addresses an important unmet clinical need, aiming to improve safety, confidence and outcomes for women requiring pelvic floor repair.
Penelope Helbest, University East Anglia
Selkie
Selkie is an eco-sexual wellness company that understands that the best way to reduce plastic waste is to reduce plastic use in the first place. Their first project is to bring biodegradable pregnancy tests to market. 15 million pregnancy tests end up in UK landfills each year and while the technology to create biodegradable and plastic-free tests exists, there are no such tests currently available.
Selkie won’t stop there – they intend to expand into all things sexual wellness and provide vital plastic-free alternatives that are convenient to buy in-store. The brand will keep environmentalism close to its heart by donating proceeds to ocean conservation.
Jacob Pullin, John Innes Centre
HiFe Plants
Iron deficiency is the world’s most common micronutrient deficiency, affecting many people, including one in three women in the UK. As meat consumption declines and iron supplements can cause unwanted side effects, there is growing demand for effective plant-based sources of iron.
HiFe Plants is developing crops with naturally higher levels of easily absorbed iron, beginning with a high-iron pea variety. The technology could be used to produce fresh pea shoots and plant-based iron supplements while offering a more natural way to increase iron intake. Looking ahead, HiFe Plants aims to apply the same approach to a range of popular fruits and vegetables, helping improve nutrition through everyday foods.
Danielle Farquharson, Norwich Research Park company
Zirclab
Producing high-quality dental prostheses can be time-consuming, costly, and limited by the materials and manufacturing methods available. These challenges can reduce productivity and increase costs for dental manufacturers and laboratories.
Zirclab has developed an advanced manufacturing process that simplifies how ceramic dental prostheses are produced. The technology is designed to make production faster, 20 times more cost-effective, and compatible with over 1,570 materials, while delivering strong, accurate and highly aesthetic results. Although developed for dental applications, the technology also has potential across other manufacturing sectors, offering a more efficient and sustainable approach to producing high-precision components.
Trevor Grigg, Norwich Research Park company
RNA Agri Bio
Crop pests such as cabbage stem flea beetle can cause serious damage to oilseed rape and other brassica crops, making it harder for farmers to establish healthy crops. As resistance to conventional insecticides grows and more sustainable approaches are needed, farmers are looking for new ways to protect their harvests.
RNA AgriBio is developing a highly targeted RNA-based bioinsecticide that is designed to control cabbage stem flea beetle while leaving other species unharmed. By reducing crop damage and lowering reliance on conventional insecticides, the technology could help farmers protect yields while supporting biodiversity and more sustainable food production.
At the Enterprise Showcase on Monday 16th November, the six finalists will each deliver a five-minute pitch before taking questions from an expert judging panel of specialist investors and corporate partners. The event will spotlight the breadth of innovation emerging from Norwich Research Park and provide an opportunity to hear directly from the researchers and entrepreneurs developing the next generation of science-based ventures.
Register your ticket now and be among the first to witness the pitches from our finalists.
