From Durham ideas to global impact: celebrating our entrepreneurial alumni

That impact, and the support students receive to develop their entrepreneurial ambitions, has received international recognition, with our Hazan Venture Lab winning the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) Award for ‘Exceptional Activities in Entrepreneurship Across Disciplines’. 

Durham entrepreneurs making a global difference 

One example of that entrepreneurial impact is Ground Up, a start-up co-founded by Durham alumni Rhea Dabriwala and Naveen Shivalingam and developed through Venture Lab. 

Ground Up transforms agricultural waste into biochar, a material that removes carbon from the atmosphere by storing it for centuries. Its connection to Durham’s entrepreneurial community goes even further: Durham spinout Low Carbon Materials uses biochar to produce ACLA, a carbon-negative additive used in concrete production. 

Those connections were highlighted during the North of England’s first-of-its-kind trade mission to India in October, led by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and involving our Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global), Professor Claire O'Malley. Among the delegates was Durham graduate Dr Natasha Boulding, co-founder of Low Carbon Materials, who joined Kim in meeting Rhea and Naveen in India. 

The idea for Ground Up was developed through the Durham Venture School programme, where students build the skills to identify problems, explore solutions and turn them into viable business concepts, supported by an alumni mentor. 

Speaking to our alumni magazine, Dunelm, Rhea reflected on the difference that support made: 

‘Our mentor was knowledgeable, supportive and like-minded. Even more importantly than the practical help and support, he encouraged our mindset. He gave us the confidence that dreaming big is never a bad thing.’ 

Ground Up’s ambitions are significant. Rhea added: 

‘We plan to convert hundreds of thousands of tonnes of residue to produce fertiliser, moving carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. We will be making a real impact both on the climate and on the agricultural sector in India.’ 

Ground Up and Low Carbon Materials demonstrate how that entrepreneurial community can help Durham ideas develop into ventures with an international impact.   

Equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs 

Durham was the only institution outside North America recognised at this year’s awards, held at Florida State University. Previous winners in the category include Yale, Northeastern and Pennsylvania State universities.   

The GCEC award recognises the achievements of the Venture Lab team and students, alongside the alumni and partners who help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality. 

Student participation in Venture Lab programmes has increased by three-quarters in just two years, supported by a connected pathway of opportunities including the Summer Innovation Fellowship and Hunt-Raymond Innovation Prize. 

Creating opportunities through global connections 

India is an important part of Durham’s international connections, with more than 20 institutional partnerships spanning areas including engineering, climate science, law, heritage and education. 

In February 2026, Durham and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham announced the International Joint Centre for Energy Resilience and Decarbonisation, an India-UK collaboration focused on sustainable energy research, climate resilience and innovation. 

Together, these connections create opportunities for Durham students, alumni and partners to share ideas, build relationships and turn innovation developed at Durham into impact around the world. 

Find out more 

• about Ground Up in Issue 11 of Dunelm magazine 
• about Low Carbon Materials 
• about our part in The Great North trade mission to India 
• about our alumni community 

Images: 

• Banner: Rhea and Naveen in India
• Insert: Natasha Boulding and Professor Claire O'Malley during the Great North East Trade Mission