Belfast-based bioengineer tops NI poll of black, Asian and ethnic minority entrepreneurs

Make things happen with Invest NI

After impressing Invest NI by sharing his ideas at the Food & Drink Consumer Insights Market Intelligence Clinic, he was introduced to Campden BRI, the UK’s top food research and development facility. Working with a state-of-the-art R&D facility has enabled Azhar to accelerate projects and secure partnerships with other top UK technology organizations.

Invest NI supports Born Maverick through the Innovation Vouchers Programme. The company has used innovation vouchers to work with the best knowledge providers to help develop and test their products, significantly boosting their product development process.

These vouchers helped validate some of Azhar’s ideas. For example, drinks that combine smoothies and energy drinks target consumers who lead a healthy lifestyle.

Another forward-thinking project for the company to benefit from the Innovation Voucher Program was the development of vegan popsicles free of dairy and gluten.

Azhar is currently working with the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Entrepreneurship (CAFRE) to develop and test plant-based egg substitutes by analyzing comparative base ingredients that act as egg substitutes. This work is also funded through the Innovation Voucher Programme.

Working together for success

Key to Born Maverick’s success is its strong relationship with Innovate UK EDGE. It is a division of Innovate UK, a UK government-led innovation agency. Invest NI is fortunate to have an in-house Innovate UK EDGE team dedicated to helping innovation-driven companies in Northern Ireland achieve their ambitions to grow rapidly and transform their industry and society.

Invest NI’s Innovate UK EDGE team helped Born Maverick secure funding from Innovate UK and introduce it to European manufacturers. For example, their advisors helped the company in 2020 work with a Swiss partner to produce dairy-free milk and an Italian partner to develop the adaptogen his popsicles.

In November 2020, Azhar won £69,000 from Innovate UK’s Sustainable Innovation Fund to help research and develop the idea of ​​making shrimp and scallops from seaweed. This “food ovation” was the project that pushed Born Maverick into his TechRound horizons.

The following year, 2021, Born Maverick was accepted into Innovate UK’s flagship global incubation program to Asia/Singapore, providing opportunities for international networking and collaboration. Recently, Innovate UK named Born Maverick one of the 12 most impactful high-growth startups in the UK, awarding it a coveted spot in IUK’s Strategic Impact Investment Programme. did.

Azhar says:

“We reflect modern lifestyle choices in our products, and we intend to continue evolving and innovating to play a leading role in shaping the food industry of the future.”

Entrepreneurship and innovation are the cornerstones of any successful business, and TechRound judges were convinced that Azhar possessed these qualities.

“It’s great to have people and the planet at the core of this company,” said Alix. .”

Sithara says: They’re also working on some unique vegan products, such as vegan shrimp and scallops, providing great options for people with dietary restrictions.”

Invest NI’s next Innovation Voucher application call will begin on January 23, 2023 over a period of three weeks. To find out how the £5,000 Innovation Voucher can help your business, or to speak with an Innovate UK Edge Advisor, please contact Invest NI’s business support team on 0800 181 4422. .

Invest NI is pleased to continue working with companies like Born Maverick and hopes to bring more innovative, healthy and nutritious foods to market in 2023.

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