From Basement Beginnings to Medtech Breakthroughs

From PhD Ideas to Market-Ready Innovation. Graphene Trace's Journey with Arise Innovation Hubs.

 

Graphene Trace is a UK-based startup developing smart fabric technologies to tackle one of healthcare’s persistent challenges: pressure ulcers. Their core innovation, Sensore, a pressure-sensing fabric designed to prevent ulcers in beds and wheelchairs, blends nanotechnology and AI to address a critical medical need, helping prevent these painful, costly and life threatening injuries. Founded during PhD research at the University of Manchester, the company is led by Dr. Scott Dean, a specialist in materials and nanoscience. He relocated the business to Essex, to enable him build closer to home and to invest more in the company’s development.

The early days were far from glamorous. Graphene Trace operated out of a cramped basement in Chorlton, South Manchester. Despite these limitations, the team secured a £300,000 Innovate UK grant, based solely on the strength of their concept. That funding enabled them to build their prototype, but first they needed an appropriately innovative space to continue developing the technology.

That search led them to Arise Innovation Hub, part of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), which has become a cornerstone of their journey.

“Arise was a lucky find,” Scott recalls. “The flexibility to adapt the space to create our prototypes was critical. Within two days of finding it, we signed the lease.” Arise offered more than just space, it provides a nurturing ecosystem tailored to the needs of Health and MedTech startups. The flexibility to adapt the space for soldering, heat treatment, 3D printing, and laser cutting was critical. “Arise understands the unique needs of startups and provides the infrastructure to make innovation possible” says Scott. “Arise understands what startup innovation really looks like, and because of this, we were able to build our first prototype.”

Over the past year, Graphene Trace has flourished within this supportive environment. They’ve hired three new staff members, including two electrical engineers and a materials scientist from Imperial College London. Their first prototype, tested informally with users, including an employee’s bed-bound grandmother, led to a complete redesign. The second-generation device features new electronics, firmware, and a custom mobile app for data visualisation. It’s now approaching minimum viable product (MVP) status and ready for clinical trials.

Arise has also played a key role in connecting Graphene Trace to valuable resources and expertise. “We’ve toured ARU’s bioengineering unit and spoken with researchers who’ve used competitor technologies,” says Scott. “They gave us insights into the limitations of those systems and how we could improve ours.” These connections are helping shape Graphene Trace’s clinical strategy and product development.

Beyond technical support, Arise provides a public-facing identity that enhances credibility. “Having an address at an innovation hub really helps with how we’re perceived in the community,” Scott adds. “It shows professionalism, purpose, and alignment with a respected academic institution, an important factor when attracting talent, partners, and investors.”

Graphene Trace has also secured a £250,000 pre-seed investment from SFC Capital and a grant from the Henry Royce Institute to begin AI model development in collaboration with the University of South Wales. NHS Wales consultants are supporting the design process, and Cardiff and Vale University Hospital will host clinical trials. The company recently showcased its technology at the Care and Occupational Therapy Show in Devon, gaining valuable feedback and trial sign-ups. More exhibitions are planned at the NEC later this year to build market traction and unlock further funding.

Looking ahead, Graphene Trace is preparing a £1 million seed funding bid, supported by ARU’s Community Research Innovation team and South Essex ICB. These partners are helping ensure the company’s health economics and clinical trial protocols align with NHS expectations.

From a cramped basement to a thriving Medtech innovator, Graphene Trace’s journey is a testament to vision, resilience and the supportive, inspiring environment of Arise, where startups are not just housed, but truly looked after.