Holiferm is pioneering sustainable biosurfactants to replace traditional petrochemical surfactants used in household products. Created through yeast fermentation, transforming materials like sugar and vegetable oil into eco-friendly ingredients for cleaning products, laundry detergents, and shampoos, these renewable alternatives perform the same functions, but with significantly less environmental impact. Co-founded by Dr James Winterburn and Dr Ben Dolman, Holiferm grew from PhD research and a two-person start-up to over a 50-employee organisation, with the support of the University of Manchester's innovation ecosystem. Now, they have a kiloton capacity plant, producing sophorolipids at a large scale in their Birkenhead facility, with R&D carried out in Trafford Park. The company is concentrating on manufacturing a high-volume product at a relatively low price point, which will drive the overall cost of the biosurfactants down, enabling market penetration. Down the line, there is potential for Holiferm to expand to other applications, too, including surface coatings and pharmaceuticals. Holiferm's growth demonstrates the transformative power of sustainable innovation. Their rapid pathway from academic research to commercial viability, showcases the critical role of the support systems offered by the Innovation Academy, in addressing environmental challenges and driving economic growth.