The value of partnership: how the GEIC empowers innovation through collaboration

Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre 13 May 2025

In a recent fireside-style conversation at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), The Nixene Journal’s Editor-in-Chief Adrian Nixon sat down with James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, to reflect on nearly a decade of collaboration and partnership.

Their discussion shed light on the immense value the GEIC brings to its affiliate partners—from credibility and global connections to access to world-class facilities and, perhaps most importantly, the intangible power of conversation.

“In a word: Credibility.”

Adrian Nixon doesn’t mince words when asked about the value of his affiliation with the GEIC.

“In a word: credibility,” he said. “From the outside, I could just be a guy in a home office with a few colleagues tapping away on keyboards. But being a partner of the GEIC gives me the ability to speak with billion-dollar companies on a peer-to-peer basis.”

As Editor-in-Chief of The Nixen Journal, a leading publication that analyses global developments in graphene and 2D materials, Nixon publishes a 50-page issue each month. Now in its ninth year, the journal has become a respected voice in the field. But he acknowledges that the credibility lent by his GEIC partnership has opened doors no home office ever could.

“After this meeting, I’m off to speak with the Head of Materials at a global aerospace company,” he added. “That wouldn’t happen if I wasn’t embedded in the GEIC ecosystem.”

Supporting Startups to Scaleups

Over the past decade, Graphene@Manchester has played a pivotal role in supporting early-stage companies on their journey to commercial success. According to Nixon, the growth he’s witnessed has been phenomenal.

“We looked at investment into graphene between 2020 and 2024—it totalled $1.3 billion globally.”

I’m proud to see that several of our partners went from raising £50,000 for demonstrators to becoming potential unicorns,” James added. “They’re now operating in Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the U.S.—all after building credibility and visibility through GEIC.”

One American partner recently secured a major customer order directly following a meeting held at the GEIC. “That global reach is powerful.”

Conversations That Spark Million-Dollar Ideas

The pair emphasised the unique culture of collaboration fostered within the GEIC—not just in formal meetings, but in corridor and kitchen conversations.

“Some of the most valuable discussions happen by accident—in the canteen or while grabbing a coffee,” said Adrian. “One chance encounter with investors here led to us introducing startups to them. That conversation helped them secure millions in funding. And that all happened because of the ecosystem here.”

Whether it’s pairing a graphene manufacturer with a textiles company, introducing SMEs to major aerospace players, or helping build space-age technologies, the GEIC thrives on serendipitous connections that spark innovation.

Real Facilities, Real Expertise

Beyond the relationships, the GEIC provides access to world-class facilities and industrial expertise—something Adrian values highly.

“We recently pulled together a graphene manufacturer and a textiles firm for a composites project. It’s now in active production. That kind of initiative couldn’t happen without GEIC’s convening power,” Adrian said.

The centre is equipped with tools that startups couldn’t afford on their own—from electron microscopes and filtration systems to secure, clean lab space and, critically, access to some of the world’s leading experts in graphene and composite materials.

“If you tried to replicate all this yourself, it’d cost a minimum of £300,000 a year,” Adrian estimated. “As a GEIC partner, you get access for all this around £50,000 a year.” James added. “That’s six times the value. And that’s not even including the network or intangible benefits.”

From Concrete to Space: Applications That Inspire

From graphene-enhanced concrete to potential space elevators, the conversation highlighted the diversity of projects emerging from the GEIC ecosystem.

“Graphene in concrete is the slow burn that could have the biggest impact,” Adrian explained. “Even just 0.01% of graphene can improve strength by 30% as seen with research taken place in the GEIC.”

“It’s tempting to think you can just sprinkle graphene in and expect results. But we’ve learned it’s not that simple.” James further explained. “The formulation matters. You need to get the additive right, blend it properly, and ensure consistency. But with consistent results now being achieved, we’re much closer to certification and regulation.”

James added that the work with partners like the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is helping drive standardisation and accelerate commercial readiness. Plans to expand NPL’s presence in Manchester underline the centre’s growing influence in the North West and beyond.

The pair also touched on exciting developments in graphene-based electronics and photonics. One European company recently raised €250 million in Series A funding and acquired a graphene-CD manufacturer—another signal of how this field is maturing.

And, of course, space.

“We’re in discussions with the UK Space Agency to present at the UK Space Conference 2025,” Adrian said. “And I just presented in Korea on using graphene for a potential space elevator. Even if we don’t build the elevator, the bulk materials we create on the way there could revolutionise industry.”

Measuring the Intangible

What really makes the GEIC special is something harder to quantify: the quality of the people and the authenticity of the ecosystem.

“One of GEIC’s partners said they didn’t feel like a startup anymore,” James said. “They had the capital, the facilities, the know-how, and most importantly, the right people around them.”

“We call that the GEIC core IP. It’s the knowledge you gain just by being here—talking to people like our Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Cinzia Casiraghi, or our operations leads John Whittaker and Phil Hirst. These are people who don’t just talk the talk—they deliver.”

Join the Ecosystem

As the conversation drew to a close, it was clear that what the GEIC offers is more than lab space or equipment. It’s a platform for meaningful collaboration, game-changing innovation, and a community that genuinely wants to see its partners succeed.

“It’s always something new,” said Adrian. “There’s never a common day here.”

If your company is working with advanced materials and wants to access world-class facilities, a powerful network, and a space where ideas come to life—there’s no better place to be.

🎥 Watch the Full Conversation
Catch the full fireside chat between Adrian Nixon and James Baker on YouTube to hear their insights firsthand, including stories of innovation, impact, and the power of collaboration at the GEIC.
👉 Watch now on YouTube