About:Energy co-founder and CEO, Gavin White, visited Belfast in March for a day of conversations on future synergies between his battery testing and software innovations and the aerospace industry.
Gavin graduated from Belfast’s Queen’s University, and went on to co-found About:Energy, a company building software solutions to simplify battery development. About:Energy combines world-leading expertise in battery testing and software and believes that modelling can accelerate the development of new battery technologies.
The packed visit began at the Enterprise Hub Northern Ireland, where Gavin met European Space Agency (ESA) Business Applications UK Ambassador, Ken Gordon, who is based in Glasgow. The two discussed why Glasgow is a leader in rocket and satellite technology, and how the ESA could play a critical role in introducing About:Energy to potential new aerospace clients in Scotland.
Next on the itinerary was a visit to the Northern Ireland Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre (NIACE), a hub for the research and development of advanced engineering and materials technologies across a range of industrial sectors. Peter Quigley, General Manager spoke about the Centre’s expertise at dealing with hazardous materials and waste, which is particularly relevant to About:Energy’s battery testing work.
After NIACE came ADS Northern Ireland, a network of over 100 aerospace, defence, security and space companies, contributing over £1.9 billion p.a. to the Northern Irish economy. Gavin sat down with Robert Hutchinson, Business Development Manager to explore how the impressive ADS network could benefit from About:Energy’s services in the future. The next stop on the tour was Spirit Aerosystems, where Gavin shared how About:Energy’s technology could have applications for the aviation sector. This was particularly relevant to Spirit’s leading composite technology, which is often used alongside lithium-ion batteries in aerospace. Finally, at Artemis Technologies, based at the Belfast Docks, the discussion turned to current challenges faced by the marine industry, and how About:Energy’s technology allows companies to build capabilities in-house.
Image via Flickr by David Stanley.
Gavin reflected on the day’s conversations:
“Having studied in Belfast I was aware of some of the incredible companies located there, but it was great to finally meet the people behind them. Northern Ireland has incredible engineering talent, and my visit back was extremely useful for understanding the challenges faced by a range of industries working on electrification."
The final item on the agenda was an event - ‘Making your dream a reality: a STEM entrepreneur’s perspective’ - hosted by the Royal Academy of Engineering, Ulster University, and the team at The Ormeau Baths. Gavin spoke about his entrepreneurial journey to date, major influences along the way, and the highs and lows he has faced in co-founding About:Energy. Faculty from Ulster University’s Engineering and Business Schools led an interactive discussion on key areas within business education for future entrepreneurs to consider. Entrepreneurs, school and university students in attendance put their questions to Gavin and the panel directly. After the event Gavin commented,
“Outreach is something very close to my heart and it was an honour to be asked to speak about how anyone can be entrepreneurial. The perspectives shared by the academics really framed my story and it was clear how there is dedicated support in Belfast to map a university degree into a start-up. There is so much opportunity for new business at the moment and it is great to meet a group of people looking to take them.”
At the end of his action-packed itinerary, Gavin was positive that, “the connections made will result in long-term benefits for all parties and I am looking forward to returning again soon.”
Notes for Editors
- The Enterprise Hub was formally launched in April 2013 and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Over the last decade, we have supported more than 350 researchers, recent graduates and SME leaders to start up and scale up businesses that can give practical application to their inventions. We’ve awarded over £11 million in grant funding, and our Hub Members have gone on to raise over £1.3 billion in additional funding and create almost 6,000 jobs
- The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
For media enquiries please contact: Chris Urquhart at the Royal Academy of Engineering on +44 207 766 0725 or by email: [email protected].