The journey of founding a groundbreaking company is often marked by resilience, adaptability, and a clear vision. For the founder of Bioratorium®, Dr Melissa Sterry, a company launched in 2019 to explore the frontiers of bio-innovation, these qualities were not optional but essential. The story of Bioratorium® is one of navigating personal challenges, redefining sustainability, and carving a niche in an increasingly competitive field.
The idea for Bioratorium® was born out of necessity and ambition. Pursuing a PhD while balancing executive-level responsibilities was no small feat. Sterry recalls the struggle: “I didn’t have the prerogative, let alone the luxury, of pursuing my PhD as a full-time endeavour. Funding options were scarce, and I either self-funded or didn’t get to do the research program I wanted.”
Unlike many PhD candidates who juggle part-time jobs, Sterry had to manage the weight of board-level roles. These roles provided the financial stability to pursue academic goals but came with significant pressures. Eventually, freelancing became the solution, offering the flexibility needed to balance professional and academic demands. “I am by nature an entrepreneur,” Sterry shares. “It wasn’t an ‘if’ I was going to set up a company to handle some of the assignments I work on, but a ‘when’ and ‘how.’” That “how” was the genesis of Bioratorium®.
Bioratorium® began modestly in 2019, initially as a limited company to manage a specific project. Over time, the company’s scope expanded to include elements of other initiatives, including the Bionic City® project, which has explored the intersection of bio-innovation and urban development since 2010. This evolution allowed the founder to push the boundaries of bio futurism beyond the constraints of academic research. However, the company’s operations remained minimal until 2024. During this period, the founder meticulously refined the strategy, recognising that nature-inspired innovation is both a vast and rapidly evolving field. “No company can be all things to all people,” Sterry emphasises. “I spent time working out who our people would be.” Today, Bioratorium® stands out by focusing on the cutting edge of bio-innovation. Unlike generalist sustainability consultancies, the company positions itself as a hub for exploring bold, original ideas. “We’re not the company to come to for a generalist take on sustainability or for reporting,” Sterry explains. “We’re the company for those looking to explore the edge of bio-innovation and work with seasoned experts who have a proven track record in developing seminal ideas, innovations, and inventions.”
This focused approach has allowed Bioratorium® to maintain a lean operational model. By eschewing large offices and extensive payrolls, the company retains the flexibility to adapt to wide-ranging briefs and economic uncertainties. “It’s a model I’ve used across many startups,” Sterry notes, “and it’s one that serves us well in tough economic times.”
A key takeaway from the Bioratorium® journey is the importance of adaptability. “How things pan out is not typically how they were envisioned in the original business plan,” Sterry reflects. “Though plans are useful, they involve predictions, and predictions can be precarious even for those of us in the business of futures.”
This open-minded outlook has allowed Bioratorium® to thrive in an industry experiencing rapid growth and intense competition. By staying nimble and focusing on its strengths, the company has carved out a space as a leader in bio-innovation. Looking Ahead
Staying Inspired in the Face of Challenges “I am
As Bioratorium® celebrates its six-year milestone, its mission remains clear: to be at the forefront of nature-inspired innovation. For entrepreneurs, academics, and innovators, the company’s story offers a powerful lesson in perseverance, strategic thinking, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities.
In recent months, Sterry has been engaged in extensive scoping, holding conversations with leaders across diverse fields to identify the needs, opportunities, and potential partnerships that will define Bioratorium®’s future. These discussions, supported by a network of experienced consultants in policy, investment, law, business development, and public relations, provide critical insights for navigating today’s volatile markets. “Knowing how challenging it can be to get a startup through the kind of market conditions facing the UK, Europe, US, and Asia of present, I make few assumptions about what tomorrow might bring,” Sterry notes. This pragmatic approach ensures Bioratorium® remains prepared to adapt to shifts in both geopolitical and economic landscapes. Curiosity has been the driving force behind Bioratorium®’s innovative approach and its founder’s enduring passion. “I am irrationally curious. I always have been,” Sterry admits. “As a child, I was forever poking snakes with sticks and prodding electrical sockets with screwdrivers, much to my mother’s dismay. Today, I’m still poking, but the snakes and sockets have changed.” This deep-seated curiosity fuels a commitment to blue-sky science despite the challenges it brings—from securing funding to navigating the complexities of intellectual property and industry politics. “Life might be more comfortable if I pursued a conventional path, but my mind thrives on joining disparate dots and exploring the unknown,” Sterry reflects. “Curiosity isn’t just an approach; it’s how I roll.” In the Sterry’s words: “We’re here to walk the talk and explore what’s possible when you work at the coalface of innovation. The future is ours to shape, and we’re just getting started.”
About the contributor
Dr Nadia Rajab is a scientist, educator and science communicator, and the Founder and Director of Innately Science.
The original pages
As published in Issue 3: Empowered in Science. Click any page to view it full size.
First published in Issue 3: Empowered in Science, the Innately Science newspaper.