Six teams have made it to the exciting final of this year’s Bright SCIdea Challenge.
The Bright SCIdea Challenge sees university students develop an innovative science-based idea into a business plan - and then to compete for a £5,000 prize.
SCI supports entrants during the competition by delivering free, exclusive training, and the teams with the strongest business plan are invited to deliver their pitch to an expert panel of experienced, successful senior business people and innovators.
The first Bright SCIdea challenge took place in March 2018 and since then the competition has seen winners go on to launch companies, raise significant funding and take their products to market.
This year’s final - the seventh instalment of SCI’s annual entrepreneurship competition - takes place at SCI’s headquarters on March 18.
Here are the 2025 Bright SCIdea Challenge finalists:
Case Crusaders
Talha Meraj, Faizan Ahmed, Muhammad Ali Bin Sarwar and Hashem Altujar make up the Case Crusader team.
Where are they from?
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Why did they enter the Bright SCIdea Challenge 2025?
"Being part of this incredible journey toward becoming finalists in the Bright SCIdea competition made us reflect on the countless times we envisioned ourselves in the lofty future of becoming successful entrepreneurs. Yet, we often find ourselves adrift, uncertain of the skills, experiences, and decisions needed to take us one step closer to those dreams. Bright SCIdea provided a truly invaluable simulation, allowing us to grasp key aspects of entrepreneurship and the intricate processes behind building and scaling a startup. Regardless of the outcome, we are confident that this experience has propelled us forward in achieving our long-term entrepreneurial goals."
mPHACT
Stephanie Cui, Claire Aurelia Shyle, Emma Barton and Oliver Abraham are team mPHACT.
Imperial College London
Why did they enter the Bright SCIdea Challenge 2025?
"We felt that the Bright SCIdea Challenge, with its focus on sustainability, was the natural first step for our team to address the plastic waste we experienced as students in the research and medical fields. BrightSCI provided us with business expertise and a passionate community, that took our idea out of the lab and into the market—tangibly integrating our product with the existing plastic market. With mPHACT’s focus on upcycling plastic waste, the mentorship provided by Bright SCIdea mentors allowed us to assess the scalability of our solution and the practical integration with suppliers, helping us maximise our impact."
NanoGuard
Left to right: Gabija Šileikaitė, Nhu Nguyen and Emily Togut Cole from NanoGuard
University of Bath
Why did they enter the Bright SCIdea Challenge 2025?
"As a group of biosciences students researching Klebsiella pneumoniae in the context of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), we've identified a major issue in preventing infections during catheter use. To address this, we've developed an antimicrobial coating designed specifically for catheters. We believe this solution has the potential to make a real difference in patient care and outcomes. Entering this competition gives us the chance to refine our idea, collaborate with others, and see how our product could perform in the real world. We’re confident that our innovation is not only relevant but also commercially viable in today’s healthcare environment."
ProPrep
Christopher D'Souza, Kavita Gadar and Beirag Nazar (not pictured) make up team ProPrep
Brunel University London
Why did they enter the Bright SCIdea Challenge 2025?
"We entered the Bright SCIdea Challenge to gain invaluable mentorship, develop our idea, and build a network, as well as win the cash prize to help bring our idea closer to reality. The competition has helped us develop the skills needed to take the next steps in turning our idea into a successful venture, which in turn, will help us to also positively impact human health and wellbeing."
ReefCycle
ReefCycle members Celeste Smith, Nora von Xylander and Tristan Kleyn.
Where are they from?
University of St Andrews
Why did they enter the Bright SCIdea Challenge 2025?
"We entered the BrightSCidea Challenge because we believe science is most effective at the intersection of academic research and business. This challenge was the perfect opportunity to develop skills in business development, pitch construction, financial planning, and intellectual property, providing a strong foundation for future career opportunities. As researchers in Earth and marine sciences, we believe businesses should adopt research-based solutions to support environmental health. We are excited for this opportunity to present to industry experts and gain insight into the potential impact of our work."
SoilMark Analytics
Oscar Chen Yu Koo, Adit Kadkol, Chia Xin Tong and Swarnadeep Saha are the SoilMark Analytics team.
Where are they from?
University of Nottingham
Why did they enter the Bright SCIdea Challenge 2025?
"We entered the Bright SCIdea Challenge to transform our innovative AI-powered soil testing kit into a commercially viable solution that addresses real-world agricultural challenges. This competition provides an invaluable platform to refine our business strategy, gain expert mentorship, and connect with industry leaders. By participating, we aim to bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and practical farming solutions, ultimately empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture worldwide."
Want more to know more on the Bright SCIdea Challenge 2025 final?
On the day of the final you will be able to follow what is happening via SCI's LinkedIn and X posts. And when the winner is chosen you'll be able to read all about it here on the SCI website.
You can also take a look at what happened in the 2024 Bright SCIdea final.
Get the more science and innovation news every month in Chemistry & Industry magazine. You can subscribe to C&I here.
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