A prospective spin-out company supported by the University of Strathclyde has won a national accolade at the Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards 2025, held in Salford.
Entropyst, which is progressing through the University’s stage-gated commercialisation process, received the Commercialisation Initiative Award for its innovative approach to sustainable energy.
The company is developing technology to convert natural gas into clean hydrogen, supporting the transition to low-carbon energy and reducing emissions.
Hydrogen is increasingly recognised as a key part of the future energy mix, offering solutions for sectors that are hard to electrify and helping balance renewable supply.
Hugely encouraging
The award was presented to Galina Sudiiarova, business development assistant at Entropyst and Beyza Binnie, senior industry engagement & commercialisation manager, by Tom Ellacombe, Senior Account Executive at Beauhurst.
Entropyst Founder & CEO, Dr Arash Badakhsh, said: “Winning the KE Award is hugely encouraging for us. It validates our journey from a laboratory idea towards real-world impact. For our international team, this recognition is energising and gives us momentum as we enter the next phase of development.
“Entropyst is now accelerating towards commercial pilots of our HyWand™ reactor platform, which converts methane and ammonia into clean hydrogen while producing valuable, specification-driven carbon materials.”
Over the next 12–18 months, the company will focus on delivering its first industrial pilot deployments, expanding materials development with industrial partners, and continuing seed fundraising to support scale-up and manufacturing readiness.
Commercial position
Dr Badakhsh added: “Strathclyde’s support has been invaluable throughout our journey. We’ve benefited from access to facilities, technical collaboration within Chemical and Process Engineering, and the wider innovation ecosystem – including the Knowledge Exchange team, IP & Commercialisation, and Strathclyde Inspire.
“Like any ambitious spin-out, some processes take time, but the University’s commitment has been clear, and this joined-up ecosystem has helped us move from research to a credible commercial proposition.”
Dr Catherine Breslin, Head of Industry Engagement & Commercialisation at Strathclyde, said: “We are delighted to see Entropyst recognised at a national level. This award reflects the strength of their vision and the collaborative effort that underpins successful innovation.
The University has supported the prospective spin-out from invention disclosure, through the stage-gate process, to securing Scottish Enterprise High-Growth Spinout Programme funding and TechX participation. We look forward to continuing to support the company’s journey towards spin-out status.
The KE Awards celebrate excellence in knowledge exchange across the UK, recognising organisations and individuals who drive innovation and create economic and societal benefits. The annual event brings together leaders from academia, industry and government to showcase best practice and highlight the transformative power of collaboration.
Latest award
This latest award for Entropyst adds to a growing list of accolades, including selection for the TechX Accelerator, Scottish Enterprise’s High-Growth Spinout Programme, and features in Young Company Finance.
The company has also won the University’s Stephen Young Entrepreneurship Award, the Inspire100 People’s Choice Award, and the recent Scottish EDGE WildCard – Scotland’s biggest business funding competition. It has also been named a finalist at the EU Startups Summit and in the Converge Net Zero Challenge 2024 – Scotland’s largest university enterprise programme.