Synergy Environmental Ltd

Synergy Environmental Ltd (SEL) is a company engaged in the development of environmentally positive products and services. Their aim is to bring products and services to a global audience with the aim of providing environmental and health benefits to a wide audience.

Why engage with Enabling Innovation?

SEL had been developing a biomass cooking system that could provide users a real benefit environmentally and have significant health benefits. Their system is aimed at developing communities globally. Biomass cooking is still widely practised across the world, and this impacts the environment and public health. The aims of SEL’s products are to vastly decrease the amount of bio-fuel needed in the cooking process whilst providing a positive impact on the health of the users and their families.

“As a company we developed the product, but found ourselves at a crossroads in terms of further and final product development. Our knowledge and resources did not allow us to develop the product to its maximum potential. In order to have a product ready for market we had to make sure the product was able to meet and exceed existing systems. This is where we started looking for resources to help us develop the product to its optimum, whilst not costing us a small fortune.”

After extensive research with an initial focus on financial options, SEL enquired with the Derby University’s Enabling Innovation project.

What was the impact?

Through financial support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); the Derby University were able to provide support in the development of SEL’s product. The Enabling Innovation team met with SEL to discuss their product and project goals:

“The Enabling Innovation team we met with were very welcoming and provided us with a wealth of clear and concise information on the project requirements, and what they would be able to offer us in support of our goals.”

“Meeting with various specialist members of the business and technical departments proved a hugely beneficial meeting for us, and we benefitted from some great advice on the product development and the way forward.”

Following the completion of the Enabling Innovation side of the project, SEL are now working with the Low Carbon Network to complete the design and engineering work required. They aim to have a finished product that has been developed to its optimum, and able to meet the requirements as a marketable product with a positive societal impact.

“Engaging with Derby University and gaining the funding to progress with our product through the University has been a great experience and opportunity for us. We cannot thank the Team enough for their friendly and welcoming attitudes, and the wealth of excellent knowledge they bring to the table. The advice, support and resources they bring is second to none. They made the whole process easy and very pleasurable. We can honestly say that the best thing we did was to work with the University, and look forward to working with them again if possible.

“Another point to note is our partnership with the University and their excellent reputation also provides our project elevated credibility, which in order will continue to have a positive impact on us as a company when we come to market our product globally.

“We would strongly advise any company considering engaging with the University through these avenues not to delay, and benefit from the excellent opportunity.

“From all here at Synergy Environmental Ltd we would like to thank the team at Derby University, and express our sincere pleasure in being able to work with you.”

For more information about the University of Derby’s Enabling Innovation Programme, visit our home page.