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From smart toothbrushes with built-in games for kids, to a bracelet that leads to 10 trees being planted in Kenya, UCL’s startups have not-so-usual gift ideas for just about everyone on your list.
UCL has a thriving entrepreneurial community of students, staff and alumni. These talented, driven founders have developed an eclectic range of products and services. Discover presents you’re unlikely to find in the shops, and support a UCL-created business at the same time.
All the businesses featured have been helped on their journey by UCL Innovation & Enterprise.
View gift ideas for:
For looking after the planet
Eden Greenspace: support simple solutions that restore our planet
Ever get that feeling Christmas is all about consumption? Well, here’s an easy way to counter some of that. Buy the Eden Bracelet and this UCL-supported business will plant 10 trees in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley on your behalf. Eden Greenspace was co-founded by UCL alumnus Samuel Abel (MA Philosophy 2023) and Ryan Cooper. It’s a venture that’s all about giving people simple ways to help the planet, from rewilding to tree planting to ocean plastic removal.
Buy Eden Bracelets online. Or pick one up in person at the UCL Winter Arts Festival in the main UCL quad on Friday, 8 December, from 4pm to 8pm.
Known Source: buy exclusive vintage clothing from trusted second-hand dealers
Any vintage clothing lover will tell you you have to do a lot of searching to find the really good stuff. Well, Henry McNeill-Njoku (UCL Medicine) and Theodore El-Kattan (UCL Spanish with Management Studies) are on a mission to change that. Their Known Source site brings together high quality second hand brands from trusted second-hand sellers. So you’re guaranteed to find vintage gems that’ll be oh-so-tricky to get anywhere else.
For looking good
BijouCREATES: handmade fashion pieces and accessories with a twist
Individually designed fans. Geometric purses and wallets. Tiger-printed toiletry bags. You’ll find unusual pieces like these and loads more in the latest range from BijouCREATES. The business, founded by Bijou Harding (UCL Architecture), brings together West African traditional craft techniques with 21st century British lifestyle aesthetics, to create stunning contemporary designs.
Other gifts for feeling good
- Why not brighten up someone’s day (and wardrobe) with a handmade, sustainable scarf, designed in London and crafted in India, from October?
- Treat someone with Afro or curly hair to some of these award-winning products from Afrochenix.
For creative types
Curaty: because a beautiful house is for life, not just for Christmas
Why not give the gift of art to a special someone this year, courtesy of Curaty? This socially conscious art advisory firm was set up by UCL alumna Sneha Shah (UCL History of Art), to bring together a selection of handpicked works by talented early-career artists. Not sure what to go for? Book a consultation with one of Curaty’s expert curators who’ll help you pick the perfect piece.
Other ideas for creative types
- Treat a budding (or more experienced) artist to some miniature painting tools from The Perfect Brush.
For house proud
Gohobi: handcrafted homeware inspired by Asian art and history
UCL Management alumnus Shih-Che (Evan) Huang had a dream of bringing the best of East Asia to Europe. We helped Evan set up his own handcrafted homeware and lifestyle brand Gohobi that works directly with artists, tea producers and growers. Check out their product range, which includes teapots, tea cups and all kinds of other tea accessories.
More pressies for the home
- Got a loved one that can’t be bothered with the faff of filtered water? Surprise them with this pod from Water2 instead.
- And these algae plants from BioBright are a brilliant alternative for anyone that loves plants but isn’t great at taking care of them.
For food and drink lovers
Double Dutch: award-winning drinks mixers
Who needs standard mixers when you can get your hands on these way more interesting ones from Double Dutch? The award-winning mixer range has been launched by twin sisters Joyce and Raissa de Haas, who both graduated from their MSc Technology Entrepreneurship at UCL in 2014. Choose from unusual flavour combinations, like pomegranate and basil, or cucumber and watermelon. Find the range in your local supermarket, bar or restaurant. Or snap them up direct from their website.
More mouth-watering gifts
- Add flavour to any meal without the nasties, with these additive-free sauces and condiments from Dr Will’s, a business that was started by a doctor who did his PhD at UCL.
For easy eating
ShareTogether: unlock tasty group discounts at top London venues
What better time of year than Christmas to enjoy a meal out with your mates? And thanks to ShareTogether, you can get out and about, and eat together for less. The revolutionary new rewards platform is the brainchild of UCL alumnus Chris Norwood (UCL English). Once you’re on the app, you and your friends can immediately unlock tasty group discounts at London cafes and restaurants, including Wagamama, Leon and Belushi’s.
More food-focused ideas
- Avoid the tourist traps by signing up to another UCL-created app LocalMeal. You’ll get the lowdown on London’s newest local food places, including many you’ve probably never heard of before.
For animal fans
Tuggs: sustainable, healthy dog food
Even dogs deserve a treat at Christmas, surely? Tuggs’ dog food is freshly cooked, made sustainably with insects, and tailored to each dog based on their weight and breed. Harry Bremner was studying for his MSc Entrepreneurship at UCL when he saw just how unhealthy the canine food industry was. This sparked the idea for his healthy dog food business, and Tuggs was born. It’s tail waggingly good.
Another idea for animal lovers
- Put any dog owner’s mind at rest with one of these dog wellness kits from Treat Therapeutics, which pinpoints allergies and helps to prevent dog diseases.
For tech enthusiasts
GUM Playbrush: making teeth-brushing fun and interactive
No more toothbrushing tantrums. Treat your favourite little person to a GUM Playbrush where they can play interactive games such as flying aircraft or dance battles, and even get rewards for their efforts. UCL alumni Paul Varga and Tolulope Ogunsina came up with the idea for their business after studying their MSc Technology Entrepreneurship at UCL, along with Matthäus Ittner. Take a look at their smart toothbrush products, apps and games for both kids and adults.
The Alice Camera: empowering digital content creators
An AI-powered camera that converts a smartphone into a professional camera. It can be used to create content like TikToks, Reels or YouTube videos ten times faster than current methods. The Alice camera has been developed by two UCL students Vishal Kumar (UCL Spatial Data Science and Visualisation 2017) and Vik Kumar (UCL Atomic & Particle Physics and Physical Chemistry), with support from Dr Liam Donovan. Available now to pre-order.
Another idea for techies
- Buy them a pre-owned smartphone, smart watch or tablet safely through Vendi’s online marketplace.
For looking after yourself
Amphi Botanicals: drinks that taste and do good
It’s that time of year when, let’s face it, most of us end up eating and drinking a bit too much. So these natural, preservative-free drinks from Amphi Botanicals are just the antidote. Not only do they taste amazing, they’re brimming with health benefits like boosting immunity or sharpening focus. Created by Yasmeen Alaa S Aljabri (MSc in Entrepreneurship).
Other gifts for self-care
- Treat someone to one of MindHug’s transformative therapies.
- Give them the gift of confidence with HopStair’s personalised coaching app.
Helping UCL’s entrepreneurs create thriving businesses
At UCL, we support staff, students and alumni to transform their knowledge and ideas into inspired products, services and applications.
UCL startup companies help attract external investment into the UK, creating jobs and driving innovation.
In total, over 400 new graduate businesses were set up at UCL between 2014 and 2022. Collectively, they’ve raised over £300 million in investment and now employ over 1,700 people.
Links
- entrepreneurship support for UCL students and alumni
- entrepreneurship and commercialisation support for UCL staff
- support for external organisations to partner with UCL
Image
The bauble image featured on this guide is the winning design from UCL’s Christmas bauble competition. Congratulations to Alice Cane, philanthropy writer for the Office of the Vice-President (Advancement) for her winning entry. Alice’s design will be produced on high-quality glass and displayed across UCL campuses in December. The bauble will also be available to buy on campus as a holiday souvenir.