Innovative University entrepreneur wins £10k prize at national finals pitching competition

A scientist and entrepreneur at the University of Wolverhampton has won a £10,000 support package from global banking giant Santander after completing a series of pitches before advancing to a National Finals competition. 

Dr Abhishek Gupta, Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy at the University and Director and Chief Scientific Officer at iNatural Ltd, won the prize at the Santander X UK Awards after pitching an idea aimed to help revolutionise healthcare through innovative biomedical solutions. 

The Santander pitching panel featured prominent judges including Mike Regnier, Chief Executive of Santander UK, Sam Jones, Founder of Gener8, Elfried Samba, CEO of Butterfly 3ffect and former Global Head of Social for Gymshark and Hanan Tantush, Founder of Intotum. Additionally, the event included former Manchester United footballer Gary Neville along with Olympian Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill.  

The award will help iNatural Ltd accelerate critical areas of development and advance research into cutting-edge technologies that address unmet needs in the healthcare sector. 

iNatural Ltd, based at the University’s Science Park, specialises in the production and characterisation of biosynthetic polymeric materials for biomedical applications.  

The Santander X UK Awards is Santander’s annual competition celebrating entrepreneurial talent in emerging businesses. Each year, the competition supports entrepreneurs in two categories: the University category and the Start-Up category. The University category is designed for early-stage university-linked businesses and entrepreneurs who are in the process of developing their go-to-market strategy and preparing for launch. 

Reflecting on the prize win, Dr Gupta said: “Finishing second at the Santander X UK 2024 Final Awards was a moment of immense pride. Competing against some of the brightest minds and most innovative ideas was both a challenge and an inspiration. Securing second place validated the hard work, passion, and vision we’ve poured into our project.  

“The recognition affirmed that we are on the right path, but it also left us hungry to aim even higher. Finishing second isn’t just a milestone, it’s a stepping stone towards future success.  

“Winning this prize will allow us to expand our team’s capabilities, strengthen collaborations with key stakeholders and invest in the resources needed to bring our solutions closer to market.  

“Every pound is an opportunity to innovate, test, and refine, and this prize represents not just financial support but a vote of confidence in our vision. 

“Ultimately, this milestone empowers us to make tangible strides toward creating a meaningful impact in the biomedical sector. We're excited to channel this support into driving progress and bringing our innovative ideas to life.”  

Emma Holmes, Business Consultant at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “The SPEED team are so proud of Dr Gupta’s achievement at the finals and it was such an inspiring day. The partnership with Santander provides the University with a number of business support opportunities.”  

On the future targets for iNatural Ltd, Dr Gupta said: “Our ambition is to bring our innovations to market, making them accessible to healthcare providers and patients worldwide. We also aim to continue pushing the boundaries of biomedical research, exploring new frontiers in personalised medicine and sustainable healthcare technologies. 

“Above all, our goal is to create a lasting impact — transforming lives through science and innovation while establishing a company that leads with purpose and integrity. The journey is just a beginning, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”  

To find out more about how the University supports students and graduates to set up their own business, email: enterprise@wlv.ac.uk 

Anyone interested in studying for courses in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Wolverhampton should register for one of our forthcoming Open Days.