Bristol-based tech venture Ensilitech has been named the overall winner at the 2025 South West StartUp Awards.

A spin-out from the University of Bath, Ensilitech has developed a proprietary, patented, and platform technology called Ensilication, which thermally stabilises biopharmaceuticals - eliminating the need for costly and failure-prone cold-chain storage.

Its innovation enables vaccines and medicines to be transported and stored at temperatures up to 50°C without compromising their efficacy, dramatically improving global access, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure.

With successful trials on more than 15 biological entities, EnsiliTech is now collaborating with leading global partners and Innovate º£½ÇÊÓƵ to develop next-generation vaccines and therapies for both human and animal health, including projects focused on pandemic preparedness and cancer treatment.

Founders of the company, Dr Asel Sartbaeva and Aswin Doekhie, said: Ensilitech was born out of a very personal moment when I realised just how fragile vaccine delivery is, and how many lives are lost due to failures in cold-chain storage.

"That moment set us on a mission to develop a solution that could make life-saving medicines accessible to everyone, no matter where they live. Our Ensilication technology eliminates the need for refrigeration, making vaccines and biopharmaceuticals stable even in extreme conditions.

"Winning this award is an incredible recognition of our team’s hard work and the global impact we’re striving to make, improving healthcare, reducing waste, and driving sustainable innovation from right here in the South West.â€

The 24 regional winners from the South West will now progress to the º£½ÇÊÓƵ StartUp Awards final, taking place at Ideas Fest on September 11th , along with the winners from awards in nine other nations and regions of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.

The winners at the 2025 South West StartUp awards are:

  • AI StartUp of the Year - Aidx.

  • Business to Business StartUp of the Year - Buy Artisan Made.

  • Business, Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year - The Marketing Plot.

  • Consumer Products StartUp of the Year - Kostüme.

  • Consumer Services StartUp of the Year - Wiltshire Wild Sauna.

  • Creative StartUp of the Year - Fusion AI.

  • Education & Training StartUp of the Year - Paseda360.

  • Equity-Backed StartUp of the Year - Micro Mobility Labs.

  • Food & Drink StartUp of the Year - Lucid.

  • Global StartUp of the Year - Innovisual Digital Marketing Agency.

  • Green StartUp of the Year - Little Green Change.

  • Health & Wellbeing StartUp of the Year - Kuutch.

  • Hospitality, Tourism & Events StartUp of the Year - My Event Concierge.

  • Innovative StartUp of the Year - EnsiliTech.

  • Marketing, Advertising & PR StartUp of the Year - Those Thoughts.

  • Medtech & Healthtech StartUp of the Year - EnsiliTech

  • Professional Services StartUp of the Year - Envo Talent.

  • Retail & E-Commerce StartUp of the Year - VESNA Aromatherapy.

  • Rising Star Award - The Nutrition Advisory Team.

  • Rural StartUp of the Year - Sunbeam Education.

  • StartUp For Good Award - Eleria.

  • Young Entrepreneur of the Year - HenleyPrint3D.

  • Judges Choice - Critical Kit, iMaintain Solutions and WineFi.

Supported by Airwallex, Join Talent and V-Rum, the º£½ÇÊÓƵ StartUp Awards were established to highlight the success of start-ups across ten º£½ÇÊÓƵ nations and regions and to celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs in all sectors of the economy. Over 1,500 entries were received in 2025 and 200 judges from the º£½ÇÊÓƵ entrepreneurial ecosystem took part in the judging process.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, creator of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ StartUp Awards, said: “Entrepreneurship in the South West is thriving, fuelled by a unique blend of creativity, innovation, and a strong sense of place. From Bristol’s booming tech and fintech scene to Cornwall’s fast-growing sustainable and creative industries, the region is home to some of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ’s most exciting early-stage ventures.

"Entrepreneurs here are not only building high-growth businesses, they’re also creating jobs, attracting investment, and driving positive change in their communities. With access to world-class universities, vibrant local networks, and a growing ecosystem of support, the South West continues to prove that you don’t need to be in London to launch something remarkable.