Make and Scale Day

A working day for advanced materials start-ups on the practical realities of scaling – manufacturing partners, cost, and the plan investors want to see.
Register here
When
14th September 2026
Where
Royce Hub Building,Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL
Cost
Free, registration required, invitation only

Puntios can help

Puntios is an innovation consultancy with a specific focus on supporting advanced materials start ups.
We have deep expertise in developing materials start ups from lab stage through initial funding rounds to first customer.
We work with early stage teams to support and develop start-ups and overcome the barriers from lab to first customer.
Fundraising Readiness
Develop business model and strategy to fit investor requirements
Feasibility Modelling
Undertake TechnoEconomic Analysis to validate that your material can be made at a realistic cost
Manufacturing Routes
Identify supply chain partners to enable you to scale cost effectively and make and supply production material at volume and quality that your customers need
Trial & Alliance Design
Design pilots and develop strategy for corporate partnerships
Commercial Traction
Validate pricing and build an order book

Agenda

10:00 - 10:30
Arrive, coffee and networking
10:30 - 12:30
Make and Scale Briefing:
The overall journey for materials start-ups and the importance of manufacturing
Partnership, what large companies and customers want from start-ups
Design for manufacture, TechnoEconomic Analysis, process from lab to scale
Customer requirements for trialling and launchRegulatory, quality, certification considerations
12:30 - 13:15
Network lunch
13:15 - 14:15
Manufacturing Partners:
The Royce perspective, policy, potential in the UK
Pitches from up to 5 manufacturers - technical capabilities, projects/materials they can help to scale, examples of how they are working with scale up
14:15 - 15:00
Speed dating – start-ups and manufacturing partners
15:00 - 15:30
Investors and Start-up Strategy:
What investors need to derisk a project
Wrap up
15:30 - 16:00
Informal Networking
16:00
Close

As founders ourselves, we share your journey.

About us

Simon Hombersley

Climate tech entrepreneur, founded Cambridge spin-out Xampla and led it from lab stage through funding to first customers as CEO. Now CEO of Puntios, working with advanced materials start-ups (including Singapore-based N&E Innovations) on commercialisation. Teaches on the Royce Catalyst and advises investors on materials businesses.

Gavin Heath

Strategic innovation leader in materials & chemicals, known for building sustainable, market-ready product offerings. Former VP Platform Technology & External Innovation at Synthomer; now advises multiple materials start-ups.

Stan Mitchell

Iain Argyle

Materials commercialisation specialist leading Puntios' commercial projects, spanning advanced materials, chemicals and ingredients. Previously Head of Business Development at Xampla, driving commercial strategy, licensing and international partnerships. Focus areas: market validation, customer engagement, and go-to-market for novel materials.
Process engineer and technology strategy specialist with 15+ years across advanced materials, industrial biotech, food systems and allied process industries. Deep expertise in techno-economic analysis – modelling process design, mass/energy balances, capex/opex and cost-of-goods to inform technical, commercial and investment decisions. Specialises in scaling novel technologies from lab to commercial manufacturing.

Register your Interest