Dr Fussell’s business Albotherm creates materials that turn from transparent to reflective-white as temperatures rise, allowing buildings like greenhouses to cool naturally. The technology can slash growers’ energy use and helps them achieve up to 34% higher crop yields.

Based in Bristol, Albotherm was set-up by Dr Fussell and fellow University of Bristol graduate Molly Allington. In November 2024 it received a separate £500,000 grant from Innovate UK to develop its technology.

Meanwhile, Dr Dzieciol's firm SilviBio Ltd is engineering environmentally friendly alternatives to peat for growing crops, trees and flowers. Peat, which soaks up carbon and reduces flood risks, is set to be banned for all growers by 2030.

Without alternative soils, costs could rise significantly for these growers. But SilviBio Ltd, based near Edinburgh, uses local raw materials to create its sustainable peat-like product LatticeGro.

Innovate UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, picked the two organisations from more than 1,400 nominees to receive £75,000, along with training and networking opportunities.