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Professor Sandro Macchietto from the Department of Chemical Engineering has been recognised at the first-ever 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ Enterprise Awards.

Acknowledged for exceptional commitment to building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem within the Department, Professor Macchietto was praised for his strategic vision and practical leadership in championing enterprise as a core mission alongside research and teaching.

As Director of ChemEng Enterprise and architect of the initiative, Professor Macchietto has transformed the department’s entrepreneurial culture.

Over the last five years, he has established a suite of unique and impactful programmes to support the translation of deep-tech research into successful commercial ventures. These include the ChemEng Pre-Seed Fund competition, an annual Enterprise Day, a dedicated Spinout Workshop Series, and the launch of the .

I am delighted to receive this inaugural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, it is one of the highlights of my career. Prof Sandro Macchietto Director of Enterprise, Department of Chemical Engineering

On being conferred the award, Prof Macchietto said, "I am delighted to receive this inaugural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, it is one of the highlights of my career. Having co-founded a couple of successful spinouts myself, I always thought that the translation potential of the outstanding research of my colleagues could be significantly increased. So, why do another spinout yourself, when you could have a multiplicative effect by helping your colleagues, Postdocs and PhDs to do so?."

Under his leadership, the number and quality of spinouts emerging from the Department have grown significantly. Since 2019, the number of pre-seed applications has increased tenfold, and 37% of academic staff are now involved in spinouts—well above 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s average. Over this period the Department contributed around 13% of 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s IP-based spinouts, despite accounting for only 3% of academic staff.

In 2024 alone, four spinouts were launched, and since the initiative began, more than £12 million has been raised in investment and grants. Many of these companies have secured prestigious fellowships and awards, with a strong and growing pipeline of ventures in development.

Professor Macchietto also chairs the Department's Enterprise Committee, ensuring initiatives are inclusive and co-created with researchers at all levels. The committee actively supports women-led spinouts and represents the Department’s rich diversity of backgrounds and experiences. 

Sandro's model of decentralised, joined-up support is an exemplar for 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ and, broadly, for the higher education community. Prof Omar Matar Head of Department, Chemical Engineering

Head of Department, Professor Omar Matar, who nominated Professor Macchietto, said: “Sandro’s time, experience and unwavering dedication have lifted our enterprise activity to a level that is not just outstanding by 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ standards, but one of the most impressive in the UK. His model of decentralised, joined-up support is an exemplar for 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ and, broadly, for the higher education community.”

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Awards celebrate the individuals and teams across the College who are empowering the next generation of science-driven startups and innovations, in line with the University's mission of Science for Humanity.

ChemEng Enterprise-a rich history, an exciting present, a bright future

This is the latest exciting development from the highly successful decentralised Enterprise support programme launched by the Department of Chemical Engineering - unique within 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ.

The scheme includes early scouting, a pre-seed funding scheme, extensive advice and mentoring, support of interactions with 911½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ and funders, “how-to” workshops and a yearly ChemEng Enterprise Day.

Find out more about ChemEng Enterprise.

Interested in participating in ChemEng Enterprise Day 2026? Get in touch with Geetanjali Bathina.