2023 - Keele University

Breaking the Mould awards

Breaking the Mould shines a spotlight on the growing innovation-led organisations, businesses, not-for-profits and charities that have benefitted from the suite of innovative support programmes that are available from Keele University.

The 2023 awards took place on Thursday 19 October at Keele University, and were hosted by one of television's best-loved broadcasters, Natasha Kaplinsky.

2023 Winners

Apnea Tech, winners of the Health and Wellbeing award, sponsored by Thea Pharmaceuticals

Velorim, winners of the Sustainable Futures award, sponsored by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council

Expert Citizens, winners of the Social Inclusion award, sponsored by Synectics Solutions

Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, winners of the Cultivating Talent award, sponsored by We Are Staffordshire

River Canal Rescue, winners of the Leading Innovation award, sponsored by Staffordshire County Council

Earth Stories Film Festival, winners of the Entrepreneurial Student of the Year award, sponsored by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce

VUIT Online, winners of the Digital Futures award, sponsored by Concentric Solutions

TMT First, winners of the Going for Growth award, sponsored by EQUANS UK (Highly commended – Concentric Solutions)

SH:24, winners of the Keele University Science and Innovation Park Company of the Year, sponsored by Biocomposites (Runner up – Socially Grown)

TMT First, winners of the Collaboration of the Year award, sponsored by Charles River Laboratories.

Breaking the Mould 2023

Highlights from Breaking the Mould 2023

Saxophonist playing music as guests arrive

Guests at the drinks reception during the event

Acceler8 band preforming at Breaking the Mould 2023

Professor Trevor McMillan OBE became Vice-Chancellor of Keele University

Health and Wellbeing Award winners - Apnea Tech

Town Hall Choir - ReStoke performing at Breaking the Mould 2023

Leading Innovation Award winners - River Canal Rescue

Entrepreneurial Student of the Year award winners - Earth Stories Film Festival

Collaboration of the Year winners - TMT First

Acceler8 band performing at Breaking the Mould 2023

Breaking the Mould 2023 - all winners on stage with host Natasha Kaplinsky

Logos for Charles River and Biocomposites. (Charles River is the Event Sponsor; Biocomposites is a Gold sponsor)

Logos of our Silver sponsors: Thea Pharmaceuticals, EQUANS, Synectics Solutions, Staffordshire County Council, Concentric Solutions, We Are Staffordshire, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.

ERDF, Midlands Engine and Research England logos The following support programmes represented in the Breaking the Mould awards are receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020:

Keele University Science & Innovation Park Smart Innovation Hub (Ref: 32R17P01691);
Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (Ref: 32R16P00706);
Business Bridge (Ref: 32R18P02530);
Innovation Centre Seven - IC7 (Ref: 32R19P03785).

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DfLUHC) (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.