From Research to Entrepreneurship: How iCAST Shaped a Startup in Digital Chemistry
Celebrating Innovation on Enterprise Day 2025
The University of Bath is hosting its fourth Enterprise Day, a key event showcasing ground-breaking research and innovation. This presents the perfect opportunity to highlight the success stories of our researchers. One such success is Dr. Sooyeon’s journey—from pioneering sustainable manufacturing research at iCAST to co-founding SOM-C Ltd, a start-up focused on digital chemistry, laboratory automation, and AI-driven process optimization.
We sat down with Sooyeon to discuss how her experience at iCAST and collaboration with our CDT played a role in shaping her entrepreneurial path.
From Lab to Launch: The Journey of SOM-C Ltd
During your time at iCAST, how did your research shape your career path?
At iCAST, I worked on fluorination of sugar molecules and the automation of chemical processes, focusing on sustainable manufacturing. My background in automated flow platforms for chemical synthesis helped me optimise reactions using continuous flow high-resolution NMR. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of digital tools and automation to enhance research efficiency. It also opened my eyes to the challenges of translating academic research into industrial applications—an insight that ultimately led me to entrepreneurship.
What inspired you to start SOM-C Ltd, and what problem does it aim to solve?
The inspiration for SOM-C came from my first hand experience with the inefficiencies in laboratory workflows. While automation and AI-driven chemistry have immense potential, many solutions are not widely accessible or scalable. SOM-C aims to bridge this gap by developing intuitive, modular automation solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing labs. Our goal is to streamline complex workflows, improve data management, and accelerate chemical discovery through AI-driven process optimization and electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs).
Has iCAST supported your journey?
Absolutely. iCAST played a crucial role in shaping SOM-C’s early vision, and we remain engaged with its network. Additionally, our collaboration with the CDT team in identifying digital technologies (ELNs) for PhD students highlights the synergy between academic research and digital innovation.
Bringing AI and Automation to Chemistry
SOM-C is developing cutting-edge technologies that are set to transform chemical research and industrial applications.
Key Innovations:
- AI-powered predictive modelling – accelerating chemical discovery.
- Automated reaction optimization – improving efficiency and reproducibility.
- Real-time data analytics – enabling data-driven decision-making.
- Custom synthesizers & digital tools – simplifying complex workflows.
We collaborate with universities, biotech start-ups, and pharmaceutical companies to tailor our automation solutions to their needs. By combining machine learning with laboratory automation, we empower researchers to make breakthroughs faster and more effectively.
Advice for Researchers Considering Entrepreneurship
Many PhD students and researchers hesitate to transition from academia to industry, but Sooyeon emphasizes that the skills developed in research are highly valuable in business.
Developing technology is just one part of the equation -applying and scaling it in real-world contexts is an extension of the research process itself. Just as in the lab, identifying the right problems and designing effective solutions remains at the core of innovation. The key difference is that the challenge shifts from scientific discovery to meeting market needs.
What’s Next for SOM-C?
SOM-C is actively expanding its AI-driven automation platform through collaborations with academia and various R&D organizations. We are currently working with multiple research institutions and technology-driven companies to integrate AI into chemical research and new materials development while also exploring applications in sustainable materials innovation.
Final Thoughts
Sooyeon’s journey from iCAST researcher to tech entrepreneur demonstrates how academic expertise can fuel real-world innovation. As iCAST continues to support research at the intersection of science, technology, and sustainability, stories like SOM-C’s remind us why Enterprise Day is worth celebrating.
