b'Dr Pavlina TheodosiouDr Pavlina Theodosiou is the CEO and co-founder of METzero Technologies, a cleantech spin-out from Newcastle University developing the next generation of sustainable wastewater treatment solutions. METzeros technology reduces energy costs, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and recovers valuable resources like hydrogen and ammonia - transforming wastewater from a costly burden into a valuable resource.After completing the Biofilms ICURe Sprint in 2022, Dr Theodosiou launched METzeros spin-out journey, using market insights from Dr Theodosiou in front of METzeros boothICURe to refine the companys value proposition and engage early at the Cleantech Innovation Zone at theadopters. In 2023, METzero secured 298,000 from Innovate UKs World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi, UAE. ICURe Exploit fund to build the founding team, accelerate pilot development, and prepare for commercialisation. In 2024, Dr Theodosiou was awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowship (75,000) to support her entrepreneurial development.Since then, METzero has grown to a team of six, awarded the University Spin-out of the Year Award by VentureFest North East, secured 1.6 million through Ofwats Breakthrough Challenge, and partnered with Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, and Yorkshire Water to deploy a demonstration unit validating the technology at scale. The company has attracted investor interest, represented UK cleantech in Singapore through the Global Incubator Programme, and is now preparing for paid trials in the food and beverage sector. METzero will soon be opening its first investment round to support scale-up and commercial deployment.Sara DraisSara is a microbiologist and engineer at the University of Strathclyde, leading the development of NatroCide: a fully natural, plant-based antibiofilm technology for food, drink, dental, and cosmetic applications. The innovation delivers broad-spectrum biofilm control without synthetic additives, meeting growing demand for safe, sustainable antimicrobial solutions.Since completing the Innovate UK ICURe Explore programme in 2024, Sara has secured EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account funding to advance formulation engineering and validate the technology using real-world samples. NatroCide has now reached TRL 5.For dental product manufacturers, NatroCide offers a competitive edge in the 5 billion mouthwash market, enabling genuinely natural formulationsThe NatroCide teamwithout compromising efficacy. For cosmetics companies, it provides an(from left): Vernon Phoenix effective, regulatory-compliant natural preservative that extends product shelf(Scientific Advisor),life while meeting clean-label expectations, reducing reliance on syntheticSara Drais (Venture Lead chemicals. Its production aims to embrace circular economy principles,and Founder), Beyza Baran sourcing raw materials from agricultural and food processing waste streams(Technology Transfer to reduce environmental impact and create value from by-products. Officer), and Simon Barter (Business Advisor).Sara is now seeking RAEng Enterprise Fellowship funding to accelerate regulatory readiness, scale manufacturing, and secure early adopters. She is actively engaging with the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Strathclydes Inspire Hub, and Scottish EDGE to explore further investment and partnership opportunities, positioning NatroCide for rapid commercial growth.24 25'