News / Deep Tech
Tech incubator founder recognised in King’s New Year’s Honours
A Bristol-based scientist, entrepreneur, and business founder has been named in the King’s New Year’s Honours list for 2025.
Harry Destecroix, the founder of Science Creates, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for his services to science.
Science Creates is a Bristol-based deep-tech ecosystem that helps scientists and engineers transform their innovative discoveries into impactful enterprises, with the goal of addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Commenting on the Royal recognition, Destecroix said: “I am deeply humbled to be receiving this MBE in recognition of Science Creates.
The third site of Science Creates is expected to open in 2025 at the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus – photo: Science Creates
“This honor is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the talented team that has shaped Science Creates from its modest beginnings into the thriving community it is today.”
Destecroix, who is both an academic and a business founder, became acutely aware of the challenges faced by new deep-tech ventures in their early stages in his own career trajectory.
His entrepreneurial journey began during his PhD studies at the University of Bristol’s School of Chemistry, where he co-founded a spin-out company focused on advancing new technology for more effective diabetes treatment.
After completing his PhD at Bristol, Destecroix and his doctoral advisor, professor Anthony Davis, co-founded Ziylo in 2014, along with businessman Tom Smart. Ziylo went on to develop a groundbreaking solution for treating diabetes.
Destecroix and Davis developed synthetic molecules that bind to glucose in blood. The technology could significantly reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia, offering a more personalised and adaptive solution that mimics the body’s natural insulin regulation.
After commercialising the research under the auspices of the University of Bristol, the company was sold to the pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk for £623 million.
Driven by a strong passion for fostering entrepreneurial success in others, Destecroix is now advancing the development of Science Creates in collaboration with the Bristol University as an integral component of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.
After completing his PhD at Bristol, Destecroix and his doctoral advisor, professor Anthony Davis (left), co-founded Ziylo in 2014 – photo: University of Bristol
Science Creates, which began its journey in the labs of the University of Bristol in 2015, currently has two incubator sites: St Philip’s and Old Market.
A third site is expected to open in 2025 at the Temple Quarter campus, adding a further 30,000 sq ft to its incubator capacity for the next crop of deep-tech startups.
Science Creates, an incubator space in partnership with Research England and the Bristol University, currently boasts some 400 founders, scientists, and team members in its books.
Its independent charity, Science Creates Outreach, has been credited for inspiring over 3,000 young learners through STEM workshops to provide a taste of the sector.
The tech incubator has been helping tech startups overcome early-stage challenges such as funding and networking with top entrepreneurs and academics to transform their theoretical frameworks into cogent business models.
One such startup that has gone from strength to strength at Science Creates facility in St Philip’s is Anaphite.
Anaphite, “a student passion project” as dubbed by its founders Sam Burrows and Alexander Hewitt, was founded in 2018 has quickly gathered traction and tapped into a burgeoning Electrical Vehicle (EV) battery industry with a recent multi-million dollar investment boost.
“It belongs to my family and the entire Science Creates team whose talent and commitment have transformed us from humble beginnings into the thriving deep tech ecosystem we are today,” said Destecroix on the MBE – photo: Science Creates
“This recognition also acknowledges all the deep tech founders and companies who dare to challenge the status quo,” said Destecroix who believes that the “fourth Industrial Revolution” lies in the future tech spinouts.
“They are at the core of what we do at Science Creates and deserve to be recognised for their critical role in driving innovation, strengthening the UK economy, and advancing human and planetary health – not just for today, but for the future.”
Main photo: University of Bristol
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