On the 21st October 2021 we launched a summary our 15 month research project in collaboration with Nadathur Group. After intensive research and interviews in the field of nature-inspired innovation, we built a diverse network of over 1500 academics and 100+ research labs in the UK. This report is an overview of the ecosystem of nature-inspired technologies from research to market as well as an insight into the most common challenges and opportunities in this highly interdisciplinary field. 

Applying advanced data analysis techniques, we managed to distill and reveal the roadmaps of nature-inspired technology from an idea to reality within the UK.

The Nadathur Group is a Family Office (FO) with a presence in India, Singapore, and the UK. The group focuses on building new businesses and supporting entrepreneurship (angel & venture investments) especially in long gestation, high risk, innovation-based ventures. We prefer businesses with large market potential/impact. Life sciences, Health-tech, Food tech, Travel tech, Cleantech, Nature-inspired innovation, and Circular economy/sustainability are our sectors of interest. We also have significant involvement in impact investments & philanthropic efforts across geographies. We engage our personal time, effort, and resources on causes close to our hearts, and where we can help make a difference. 

We support nature conservation, scientific research, education, care for differently-abled children, and the arts. The Family office also manages a portfolio of assets including public equity, fixed income, private equity, real estate, and alternative asset classes. 

Presenters

Richard James MacCowan

Richard James MacCowan is Founder and Biofuturist at Biomimicry Innovation Lab. With a background in real estate asset management, urbanism, and new technology development, he pushes the boundaries of developing innovative solutions for clients around the world.

Sriram Nadathur

Sriram Nadathur is an entrepreneur, an angel investor, a philanthropist, and co-head of the Nadathur Group. He is responsible for the group’s investments in Life Sciences, Health, Cleantech, Nature-inspired innovation, and Circular economy/sustainability. He is a biomimic, an engineer, and a business person, based on educational degrees. Most importantly, he is a dreamer and a catalyst in helping make the world a better place by merging the heart (people, nature, and planet) and the mind (deep tech, innovation, and startups). 

Yuning Chen

Yuning Chen is a design researcher with a background in environmental science. She is a graduate of the world-renowned Innovation Design Engineering program at Royal College of Art and Imperial College London. Her research interest mainly lies in the intersection of biology, informatics, and design. Her work has been exhibited worldwide including the Dutch Design Week and Milan Design Week.

If you would like more information on how this can support your work, please get in contact.