Ever wondered how technology start-ups, well, start-up? For most founder entrepreneurs, it is the biggest experiment they'll ever run. Like most experiments, the result isn't known beforehand and it often doesn't work first time. On a bigger scale, how do big tech companies turn innovative science into profit? Mark Davison interviews founder scientists, executives, investors, communicators, and others in the technology start-up and corporate science ecosystems. Learn how great ideas turned into thriving businesses (or not) from those who made it happen (or didn't). Get business tips, lessons learned, and life lessons straight from the people who know. Inspiring, disastrous, funny: hear what life in a science-driven company is really like. Straight-talking, no nonsense, but conversational style. All technical content is explained for the non-specialist - you don't need a PhD or fluency in jargon and technobabble.
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The Big Experiment is a business podcast hosted by Mark Davison, with 27 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.
About the host
Mark Davison hosts The Big Experiment, a business show with 27 episodes published.
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The Big Experiment
Tim Corcoran: Cosmetics from Cyanobacteria
Nov 10, 202534 min
Is the answer to sustainable chemical manufacturing floating in our oceans? Ocean cyanobacteria, like plants, use sunlight as power to help them make complex chemicals. Traditional industrial chemistry requires a lot of power and can be quite polluting. Cyanobacteria are actually more efficient at producing high-value chemicals, while capturing carbon dioxide rather than releasing it. In this episode I am joined by Tim Corcoran, Founder and CEO at Deep Blue Biotech, who's proving this remarkable claim with a novel approach. His company produces hyaluronic acid, a premium skincare ingredient, using nothing but CO2, sunlight, and seawater-based nutrients. For every tonne produced, approximately 7 tonnes of CO2 are captured. Ingredient costs drop by 50%, and it creates the world's first "ocean-derived" hyaluronic acid, which personal care companies are eager to market. Beyond the compelling science, Tim reveals the strategic thinking that sets Deep Blue apart from failed synthetic biology startups. Rather than chasing commodity markets and competing on price and sustainability, they targeted expensive products first to prove their technology works and generate revenue quickly. We explore the practical realities of photobioreactor design, genetic engineering challenges, and scaling from 5-litre lab batches to 100,000-litre industrial facilities. This venture extends beyond skincare. By starting with high-value products, Deep Blue is building toward their ultimate goal: producing butanol biofuels that could transform Europe's automotive industry while avoiding the land-use competition that plagues ethanol production. " Start with something expensive, be competitive quickly, then explore higher-impact molecules.." – Tim Corcoran You'll Hear About Fast-growing ocean cyanobacteria discovered near Singapore Why expensive hyaluronic acid beat commodity biofuels Photobioreactors: growing bacteria with light and CO2 Genetic engineering to optimize microbial metabolism 50% cost reduction plus 7 tonnes CO2 captured Scaling from lab to 1,000 litres in Portugal Technology licensing instead of manufacturing company Personal care's lower regulatory barriers versus pharma Managing runway while raising £3-4 million seed round £25 million Series A for commercial-scale production Future applications: butanol biofuels for European cars Portugal versus Iceland for photobioreactor facilities Connect with Tim Corcoran LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-corcoran-5b10121/ Website - https://deepbluebiotech.com/ Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/ If you need any lab equipment: Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/ Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/ Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/
From Jellyfish to Wound Healing with Dr Andrew Mearns-Spragg
Oct 12, 202538 min
What if the solution to chronic wound healing has been floating in our oceans for 600 million years? Jellyfish collagen isn't just different from the cow and pig-derived materials used in medicine today. It's actually better at healing human tissue. I sit down with Dr Andrew Mearns-Spragg, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Jellagen, who's proving this remarkable claim with hard data. His research shows jellyfish collagen outperforms traditional materials in vocal fold repair, triggers faster transitions from inflammation to healing, and creates longer-lasting tissue structure. The secret lies in what Andrew calls "collagen type zero," an evolutionarily ancient form that our bodies recognise differently, prompting superior healing responses without the prolonged inflammatory reactions seen with mammalian sources. Beyond the compelling science, Andrew reveals how he built the world's first ISO-certified medical device manufacturing plant for jellyfish collagen from scratch. We explore the practical realities of sustainable harvesting (achieving near-zero bycatch), navigating FDA regulations for an entirely novel biomaterial, and convincing investors to back marine biotechnology. This venture extends beyond the laboratory. By harvesting jellyfish blooms caused by overfishing, Jellagen addresses an ecological problem while creating advanced wound care solutions and providing alternative income for local fishing communities struggling with depleted fish stocks. "The jellyfish collagen transition to healing was much quicker and longer lasting." - Dr Andrew Mearns-Spragg You'll Hear About Why jellyfish collagen outperforms mammalian collagen in tissue healing The challenges of building ISO-certified jellyfish manufacturing How ancient collagen triggers better immune responses Sustainable harvesting methods with near-zero bycatch Translating marine biology research into medical devices The cost of chronic wound management in healthcare Navigating the FDA regulatory pathway for novel biomaterials Supporting local fishing communities through jellyfish harvesting From angel investment to medical device commercialization Platform opportunities beyond wound healing applications Connect with Dr Andrew Mearns-Spragg LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-m-006bb41/ Website - https://jellagen.co.uk/ Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/ If you need any lab equipment: Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/ Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/
Jenny Barnett: New tests and drugs for schizophrenia
Aug 10, 202539 min
Can neuroscience finally catch up with the complexity of mental illness? Society faces a huge and growing burden from mental illness and impairment. Schizophrenia, for example, is a bigger socioeconomic burden than all cancers put together. We have medicines for some of these conditions, but typically they work well for some, not at all for many, and cause side-effects for others. One of medicine's greatest challenges has been identifying exactly which patients will benefit from a treatment before they even start their pills. In this episode I am joined by Jenny Barnett, neuroscientist and CEO of Monument Therapeutic s , to explore one of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine: how to develop truly effective treatments for complex, multi-factorial mental health conditions like schizophrenia and cognitive impairment. Jenny shares the work they are doing on neuroscience drug development, revealing how Monument Therapeutics is using cognitive tests and precision psychiatry to target pharmaceutical treatments more effectively. She explains why the current "one-size-fits-all" model of psychiatric medication is failing patients, and how a diagnostic-therapeutic approach could transform lives and health systems alike. We discuss the state of funding for the research, clinical trial challenges and bottlenecks, and the urgent economic and social need for accessible mental health solutions. Don't miss this fascinating glimpse into the next frontier of neuroscience. “Schizophrenia costs society more than all cancers put together.” – Jenny Barnett You’ll hear about: ● How digital biomarkers are revolutionising psychiatric drug development and patient selection ● Why current mental health medications only work for one-third of patients ● The groundbreaking computer-based tests that rats and humans can both perform ● How Monument Therapeutics is targeting cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients ● The staggering economic impact of mental health disorders on society ● Why precision psychiatry could catch up neuroscience to cancer treatment advances Connect with Jenny Barnett LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-barnett-4b035826/ Website - https://monumenttx.com/ Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/ If you need any lab equipment: Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/ Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/
Paul Beastall: Fuelling our future planet with a zero-carbon biofuel
Jul 27, 202535 min
Forget drilling—what if diesel could be grown instead? In this episode we head into the world of engineered biology with Paul Beastall, CEO of HutanBio . He explains how his team is cultivating an oil-rich microalgae, previously unknown to science, that thrives in desert heat, tolerates high salinity, and could transform the future of sustainable fuel. From modular algae farms that resemble vineyards more than refineries, to carbon-negative bio-oil ready for aviation, shipping, and long-haul transport, this is a story of breakthrough biology meeting global-scale energy challenges. Paul breaks down the tech, the economic viability, and why scale, not science, is now the final hurdle. We need to move away from fossil fuel dependence, and with electrification or hydrogen fuels a system that requires huge industrial change this could be a transition technology that words. Curious how a startup of 15 is challenging the oil industry? Listen now and find out. “This isn’t just green fuel—it’s a carbon-negative replacement for fossil diesel.” – Paul Beastall You’ll hear about: · HutanBio’s focus on using microalgae to produce sustainable fuels. · The need for sustainable fuels being increasingly recognised globally. · How microalgae can absorb CO2 while growing, making it carbon negative. · Innovative growth techniques include using photobioreactors for efficiency. · How harvesting involves separating oil from biomass for fuel production. · Why the economics of sustainable fuels are challenging but necessary for the green economy. · The carbon footprint of algae-based fuels is significantly lower than fossil fuels. · Funding is crucial for scaling up production and achieving business goals. Connect with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbeastall/?originalSubdomain=uk Website - https://hutanbio.com/ Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/ If you need any lab equipment: Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/ Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/
Brain-on-a chip? Neurons as future biocomputers with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys
Jul 7, 202534 min
What if the future of computing isn’t silicon... but neurons? In this episode, we explore a radical new frontier where biology and technology come together — programming living neurons as processors. I am joined by Dr. Ewelina Kurtys of FinalSpark, a pioneering scientist bridging neuroscience and AI. We unpack the astonishing potential of bioprocessors —miniaturised clusters of human neurons that can process and store data while consuming a fraction of the energy traditional systems demand. Evelina reveals how her team is learning to "program" neurons using electrical and chemical signals to store information — not to replicate the brain, but to unlock new, energy-efficient forms of computing. We cover the challenges of working with living cells, how neuron-based processors may outpace silicon chips in energy efficiency, and what it means for AI, medicine, and beyond. From sci-fi to serious science, this episode pushes the limits of what's possible in computational neuroscience. “We’re building processors from living cells.” – Dr. Ewelina Kurtys You’ll hear about: · Neurons being significantly more energy efficient than traditional computing methods. · How FinalSpark aims to program neurons to perform computational tasks. · Why maintaining the health of neurons in a lab setting is crucial for research. · Investment being needed to accelerate the development of neuronal computing. · Ways neuronal computing has potential applications in drug development and brain interfaces. · Ethical considerations arise when discussing programming living neurons. · The future of computing may involve a blend of biological and digital technologies. Connect with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewelinakurtys/ Website - https://www.ewelinakurtys.com/ Connect with me: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdavison100/ If you need any lab equipment: Grant Instruments: https://www.grantinstruments.com/ Grant Instruments on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grant-instruments-cambridge-ltd/
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