INNOVATION PORTFOLIO

The State of Nature-inspired Innovation in the UK

  • The Nadathur Group

  • Understanding the research, industry and investment landscape of nature-inspired innovation in the UK

    • Horizon scanning

    • Trend analysis

    • Expert Interviews, Surveys

    • Data Analytics (AI/ML)

    • Foresight Strategies

  • A bespoke market report covering the understanding of the prospects and challenges in the field. A collection of insights has been derived from extensive research with 1500+ researchers and circa 125 research labs as well as perspectives from the industry and finance sectors around the development of Nature Inspired Innovation.

    1. Stronger links between academia and industry;

    2. More effective funding policies;

    3. Entrepreneurial training for academics;

    4. Alignment with governmental innovation strategies;

    5. A better-connected network;

    6. Learning and adapting from successful models.

  • Access the report online here.

 

Evolve with Patrick Aryee

  • Beach House Pictures

  • Consulting with the producers to identify impactful and presentable examples of nature-inspired innovations for the TV series, Evolve with Patrick Aryee, streaming on Amazon.

  • Using our extensive database and network to find compelling case studies for filming.

  • The TV series, streaming on Curiosity TV and Amazon has proven successful with a wide range of case studies.

  • We ensured the authenticity and accuracy of the content, making it more engaging and credible for the audience.

 

Ecosystem Services and small-scaling fishing communities in Kerala, India

  • Royal Academy of Engineering; University of Southampton (Partner); Newcastle University (Partner); Central Institute of Fisheries Technologies, Kerala (Partner)

  • Environmental(climate change, biodiversity loss) and social (gender inequalities, covid, economic issues) challenge small local fishery communities are facing in Kerala, India.

    • Ecological engineering

    • Spatial planning innovation

    • Regenerative economie

    • Nature-Based Solution (NBS)

    • Blue Economy

    1. The project has demonstrated the effectiveness of a mobile app to support fishers, serving as an educational and communication tool for ICAR-CIFT and promoting sustainable fisheries amongst small-scale fishers.

    2. The mobile app and IoT sensors have bolstered ICAR-CIFT's capacity for continuous monitoring of ocean environmental parameters, aiding future policy recommendations and educational resources for sustainable fishing practices.

    3. The project recognized and addressed the need for portable fish drying tools, now designed and manufactured, which will directly assist fisherwomen.

    4. The project has fostered staff capacity development in various ways: interdisciplinary collaboration, expanding social science expertise through interviews and qualitative data analysis training, and enhancing literature review expertise by utilizing systematic review methodology for rapid literature review.

    1. The team has gained understanding of the fishing ecological system, its relation to climate change, biodiversity, and socio-economic impacts.

    2. Technological solutions benefiting the being deployed.

    3. Social strategies to enhance fishing community resilience to biodiversity challenges are being shared with policymakers.

    4. The team, consisting of members from diverse disciplines and countries, remains committed to continued collaboration. The project has positively influenced the career paths of four research assistants, leading them to positions in academic, research, and doctoral programs in India and the USA.

 

Pine needles as a community energy source in northern Madagascar.

  • Royal Academy of Engineering, University of Warwick (Partner); Avani Bio Energy (Partner); Universite D’Antananarivo (Partner); University of West London (Partner).

  • A pilot investigation of the social-economical and environmental benefits of local innovation that collect and recycle agricultural waste(pine needles) as a renewable energy source(biochar) in the Himalaya region and potential application in Madagasgar areas.

    • Ecosystem service modelling

    • Data analytics

    • Regenerative agriculture

    • Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

  • Ongoing…

    Expected outcome:

    1) Evidence to support informed decision making on the biochar project development 2) Transferable knowledge base for future forestry management and nature-based solution in Madagasgar area.

    1. Large-scale charcoal making and selling in Madagascar depletes forest resources, necessitating clean, renewable energy sources such as pine needle-generated electricity and cooking fuel.

    2. The project explored the feasibility of generating pine needles from Madagascar plantations, drawing inspiration from similar projects in India.

    3. Findings indicate the Madagascar community's willingness to transition to new energy forms, with the potential for electricity and biochar generation from local plantations, providing a new source of income and reducing conflict.

    4. The study promotes an enabling ecosystem for pine-needle-based power plants across applicable regions, potentially transforming rural communities near pine plantations and forests.

    5. The approach could enhance local livelihoods in Madagascar by creating jobs in pine needle collection and plant operations and producing clean biochar fuel briquettes. This is particularly relevant given that fuelwood and charcoal predominantly meet household energy demand, especially in rural areas.

    6. The initiative could empower communities near Madagascar's private pine plantations, reducing discontent and protest.

 

Biomimicry & Circular Economy.

  • Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership

  • In an era where sustainability is paramount, Ahold Delhaize, a leading global retailer, recognized the need to integrate sustainable practices into its operational models.

    The challenge, working with the Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership, was to foster innovative thinking that would enable the incorporation of circular economy principles, utilizing biomimicry as a catalyst.

    The mission was to facilitate the translation of the resilience and efficiency found in nature into viable business solutions that promote sustainability.

  • This "Biomimicry and Circularity" session aimed to stimulate ideas and strategies that draw on nature's models, systems, and elements to enhance Ahold Delhaize's sustainability efforts. The workshop, engaging experts in biomimicry and circular economy, involved active brainstorming, case study analysis, and hands-on learning sessions designed to illuminate the practical applications of biomimicry in a business context.

  • The workshop sparked a wave of creative thinking among Ahold Delhaize's key decision-makers. Participants comprehensively understood how biomimicry could be applied to their specific roles and the wider business framework. Innovative strategies were identified, drawn from natural processes, with potential applications ranging from waste reduction to energy efficiency and improved logistics.

    Moreover, participants created an action plan to promote a circular economy within Ahold Delhaize, where waste is minimized, and resources are continually reused, in line with ecosystems.

    1. The implementation drives the company towards a more sustainable, circular business model.

    2. The workshop has shaped Ahold Delhaize's corporate sustainability strategy.

    3. A cultural shift towards sustainability is taking place within the organisation.

    4. Anticipated results include increased long-term resilience and a reduced environmental footprint.

    5. Ahold Delhaize aims to position itself as a leader in sustainable business practices, providing value to stakeholders and society.

    6. The company's efforts are in line with global sustainable development goals.

    7. By implementing these changes, Ahold Delhaize aims to set a benchmark for sustainability in the retail industry.

 

Biomimicry & Innovation.

  • Capgemini

  • Introduce the innovation teams at Capgemini to nature-inspired innovation ranging from structures through to complex systems.

  • Our approach with Capgemini was to break down the event into manageable experiences as we worked through biological phenomena as we explored substance, structure, energy, information, space and time.

    This shifted from nature-inspired innovation through to biomanufacturing and biodesign even as far as going beyond biomimicry.

    This was delivered with stories, case studies and interactive sessions.

    1. Expanding the knowledge and approach of Capgemini to understand and utilise inspiration from biological phenomena

    2. Introduced the need to develop solutions within the correct context.

    3. Developed case studies and best practices for use in management consulting.

    1. Expanded upon the requirements of a shift to regenerative practice for Capgemini and their clients.

    2. Offered up means and methods to develop unique solutions based on nature-inspired innovation.

    3. The company's efforts are in line with global sustainable development goals and future requirements of regenerative design.

 

Regenerative Practices.

  • Xynteo

  • Deliver our perspectives of regenerative practice to the attendees of the Vanguard Leadership Programme

  • Delivered our insights from 10+ years in the regenerative space from the Living Building Challenge through to Doughnut Economics.

    We created the content around storytelling, case studies and practical methodologies.

  • The attendees expanded their knowledge base through discussions and points of impact as they explore the practical examples delivered during the Vanguard Leadership programme.

    1. Expanded upon the requirements of a shift to regenerative practice for Xynteo and the participants of the Vanguard Leadership programme.

    2. Offered up means and methods to develop unique solutions based on nature-inspired innovation and regenerative design.

    3. The participants’ efforts are in line with global sustainable development goals and future requirements of regenerative design.

 

Packaging and manufacturing.

  • Graham Packaging

  • During a one-day workshop at the company retreat in Portugal, we were tasked with introducing design and engineering solutions inspired by nature.

  • Deliver interactive workshops both on the beach and at the venue. This was achieved via interactive sessions as we explore, shape, structure, material and processes through serious play, case studies and storytelling.

    1. A one-day workshop to expand teams’ knowledge of nature-inspired innovation relating to packaging and manufacturing.

    2. Skills to integrate solutions into the design and engineering processes of Graham Packaging.

    3. Develop a plan of action and working document to understand functional structure and anatomy expanding work from the University of Freiburg.

    1. Expanded upon the requirements of a shift to new models of design and innovation for the innovation and design team at Graham Packaging.

    2. Offered means and methods to develop unique solutions based on nature-inspired innovation by studying functional structures and adaptive systems.

    3. Integrated the needs of Graham Packaging to efforts aligned with global sustainable development goals and circular economy.

 

Remote-sensing and informal settlements.

  • Connected Places Catapult; Collocation (Partner); South African National Space Agency (Partner)

  • Informal Settlement Management

    • System-level biomimicry

    • Regenerative resource optimisation and management

    • Smart cities and urban informatics

  • Ongoing…

    Expected outcome:

    An informal settlement planning and decision-making support system that facilitate management strategies relating to infrastructures, agile construction, resource efficiency and decarbonisation by analysing the state of informal settlements through satellite images and system modelling.

 

Babel Bike

  • Babel Bike (working with Biomimicry UK)

  • Bike trailer and cargo bike design

    • Nature-Inspired product development

  • Alongside product designers and the team at Babel Bike, we worked with them to develop a number of concepts for bicycle trailer and cargo bikes that looks at the safety standards available and reimagines these for the increase in cyclist community and demand for a fresh perspective in the industry.

 

Smart Stable

  • Science City York( Partner), Askham Bryan College (Partner), (working with Biomimicry UK)

  • Horse Healthcare

    • Animal Centric Design

    • Regenerative Agriculture

    • IoT

    • VR/AR

  • This project gained seed funding to develop non-wearable tech to minimise stresses and increase water uptake for horses. This project is now a fully formed company, Smart Stable Limited with Richard as one of the directors.

 

Happy Clients