Molyon triumphs at the Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition 2023

Molyon, a next-generation battery startup pitched by Ismail Sami, has won this year’s hotly contested Chris Abell Postdoc Business Competition, beating battery tech peers and others to secure the £20,000 first prize provided by Cambridge Enterprise.

Molyon was selected by the judges for its groundbreaking developments in the battery space. The firm is utilising lithium-sulphur batteries developed with funding from the Faraday Institution, which promise higher energy density than alternatives whilst also being cost-effective, light-weight and capable of utilising existing manufacturing processes. The company will target a number of sectors, including drones, satellites, vehicles, and aerospace.

Oxonium Energy, a peer battery startup, came in second place following a barnstorming pitch from founder Mark Carrington, winning £10,000 from Cambridge Innovation Capital. Aetosense, a company looking to reduce air pollution inside structures with its ultrafine particle monitoring technology, secured third place, with founder Molly Haugen winning £5,000 from Oxbridge Angels.

The other finalists, which will all be offered a spot in Cambridge Enterprise’s ideaSpace, include:

• K-Stem, led by Ahmed Elwaraky, aiming to revolutionise stem cell transplantation.
• Semantics, directed by Kamil Sokolowski, offering solutions for sustainable energy conversion.
• XinaTec, managed by Elaheh Mostaani, enhancing the design process of filter technology through AI.

Chris Tapper, Senior Associate at Cambridge Innovation Capital and one of the judges for the evening, said:

“All the finalists looked confident and comfortable, delivering excellent presentations, and we were all hugely impressed. At CIC, our future is built on entrepreneurs such as the ones on stage coming through and doing great things. This competition allows us to support them now and in the future.”

The competition, named in honour of the late Professor Chris Abell, a former Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Cambridge and a fervent supporter of postdoctoral entrepreneurship, celebrates the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive of the University’s postdoctoral community.

Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Cambridge Enterprise:

“The Chris Abell Postdoc Business Plan Competition has once again proven to be a cornerstone event for fostering entrepreneurship at the University. It’s through such initiatives that we empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, helping them to bring their ideas from the lab to the market. Congratulations to Ismail and all the participants who have worked tirelessly to develop their business plans.”