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University of the Arts London Celebrates the Future of Creative Innovation with the Future 50 Awards

  • Written byCareers and Employability
  • Published date 03 December 2024
A group of diverse individuals pose together on a stage in front of a large screen displaying the text 'Future 50.' Some participants are holding awards, and everyone is dressed in various styles, reflecting individuality and creativity. The setting appears to be a celebratory event, with two smaller screens on either side of the room also displaying 'Future 50' branding.
The Future 50 nominees from 2024 (Credit: Dave George)

University of the Arts London (UAL) proudly announces the Future 50:Founders and Freelancers Awards, celebrating fifty of the most innovative creative businesses and entrepreneurs to emerge from its vibrant academic community over the past year. Now in its second year, this initiative underscores UAL’s role as a global leader in nurturing creative start-ups, with an extraordinary 567 new ventures launched during the 2022/23 academic year—more than double the number of any other UK university.

Future 50 recognises founders, freelancers, and start-ups pushing boundaries in the creative industries. From rethinking sustainable materials to revolutionising accessibility and wearable art, Future 50 showcases a diverse range of businesses reimagining the future of people, planet and profit.

Five standout winners that represent the depth of talent across UAL’s colleges were selected by a panel of esteemed industry experts, including Kae Katz, the Founder and CEO of FibreLab, Ajay Pabial, the CEO and Founder of Art Clubbers and Steve Taylor a Business coach and academic researcher.

"Two individuals stand in front of a colorful display featuring portraits and abstract orange, blue, and green patterns. The person on the left, wearing glasses, a dark jacket, and jeans, holds a microphone. The person on the right, wearing a blue fleece and yellow shirt, smiles while holding a glass. Both wear badges associated with the 'Future 50' event, creating a professional and lively atmosphere."

They received their awards at a ceremony hosted by UAL Alum and Presenter Jay Mcgregor, whose voice you’ll recognize from her voiceover work with Channel 4 and E4. The awards were held at Central Saint Martins last week. The winners are:

  • London College of Fashion - Teman Merakit
    Teman Merakit empowers Indonesian creatives through training, mentorship, and collaboration, fostering sustainable innovation in fashion.
  • London College of Communication -  Accessify UK
    Accessify works to improve life quality for disabled and neurodivergent communities through research, policy and service design.
  • Central Saint Martins - AGREKA BUILD
    AGREKA BUILD turns agricultural waste into eco-friendly building materials, advancing a net-zero circular economy.
  • Camberwell College of Arts, Chelsea College of Arts WImbledon College of Arts - Sounteract
    Sounderact creates IoT tools using sound and haptics to support neurodivergent individuals, driven by their ‘Design to Care’ ethos.
  • Social Impact Award - Anzen Innovations Ltd
    Anzen creates refrigerant-free heat pumps, offering affordable, energy-efficient, cooling, and ventilation for sustainable homes.

A smiling person stands in front of a display featuring colorful posters, including one with a creative design made from recycled materials and another promoting the 'Looply' project, focused on plastic waste reuse. They are holding a microphone and appear to be speaking or presenting. The setting is vibrant and engaging, with onlookers capturing the moment in the foreground.

These winners, along with all 50 nominees, highlight UAL’s commitment to fostering creativity and providing the resources to transform creatives into entrepreneurs and ideas into ventures.

Vicky Fabbri, interim Head of Careers said,

“At UAL, we are dedicated to shaping a world where creativity drives positive change. As the UK’s leading institution for student start-ups, we empower our students and alumni to transform bold ideas into impactful ventures. The Future 50 Awards exemplify the dynamic ecosystem we’ve built—where creativity, innovation, and enterprise intersect. Through comprehensive support and resources, we equip our graduates to thrive and make lasting contributions to the creative economy and society at large.”

All 50 nominees are featured on UAL Showcase, the university’s always-on global platform that connects graduates with audiences worldwide. Here, users can explore groundbreaking work, connect with emerging talent, and discover fresh solutions to global challenges.