This translation of innovation into practice has always been at the heart of my work, from BOAXT to NETLESS and WINGFURL.

The path from concept to industrial solution

For me, innovation starts with curiosity and a deep desire to address specific challenges. Whether it's the plastic choking our oceans or the carbon emissions from global shipping, my goal is always to find practical, effective solutions. But I’ve learned that good ideas alone are not enough. The real work begins with industrialisation – taking a prototype and refining it until it is robust, reliable, and ready for large-scale deployment.

Take BOAXT, for example. The idea of a "boat in a box" came from a need for flexible, modular solutions that could be easily transported, was cost effective, and also served a multitude of purposes. I considered a design that fit into ISO container specifications, which allowed us to leverage existing logistics networks. By thinking through these practicalities early on, we transformed an innovative concept into an industrial solution with genuine global potential.

The importance of scalability

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is the importance of scalability. It's easy to develop a solution that works under controlled conditions or in small test environments. However, the true challenge lies in creating something that can operate effectively across diverse and unpredictable real-world scenarios.

For instance, NETLESS was born from the need to address overfishing and protect aquatic environments without harming marine life. We has to ensure rigorous testing and iteration as water environments differ greatly and we needed to ensure that the technology could handle different water conditions, resist wear and tear, and remain cost-effective if we wanted to support local communities as well as commercial concerns. Every iteration brought new insights, and with each challenge, we refined the design to make it more adaptable and resilient. What we now have is a solution that allow for netless fishing as well as plastic retrieval and has enormous scope of use internationally.

Collaboration as a catalyst for impact

If there’s one thing I can’t stress enough, it’s the power of collaboration. Innovation does not happen in isolation. It requires the input and expertise of a broad network – engineers, researchers, environmentalists, and business leaders. Working with diverse teams helps to pressure-test ideas and push them beyond their initial scope.

In developing WINGFURL, our wing fin system for maritime vessels, collaboration was critical. We partnered with experts in aerodynamics, materials science, and logistics. Each partner brought unique insights that helped us transform a novel idea into a product capable of reducing carbon emissions at scale. The ultimate goal was to create a viable, industrial solution that could integrate into the existing shipping industry, offering a practical path toward decarbonisation, which is what we achieved.

Real-world impact: where innovation finds its purpose

The true reward of this work comes when these technologies leave the lab and enter the world. These moments demonstrate that innovation, when properly industrialised, can ripple outwards – impacting ecosystems, industries, and communities in meaningful ways. At the end of the day, my approach to innovation is pragmatic. While creativity and invention are essential, they must be grounded in practicality. My focus is always on finding ways to bridge the gap between what is possible and what is needed. By staying close to the challenges we aim to solve and collaborating with those who share our vision, we can ensure that our innovations not only inspire but also transform – delivering real-world solutions with real-world impact.

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