BIG ATOM

In addition to the flexible package of innovation support, companies selected to take part in the Better Futures programme have an option to apply for additional support in a form of collaboration with an academic institution, either via innovation vouchers or paid short-term internships. The internships are fully funded by the programme, and cover a London Living Wage for the student.

One company that has benefitted from this internship programme is BIG ATOM, an innovative tyre recycling company which is revolutionising the way we dispose of our used tyres.

BIG ATOM provide the technology to break down tyres into their raw components which can then be reused. They supply the tyre manufacturer with regained raw materials and this allows for the creation of brand-new products.

A fantastic example of the circular economy in action, helping to stop plastic and rubber waste ending up on landfill or being shipped abroad.

We chat with Toby Moss, Co-Founder of BIG ATOM, about his experience of the internship programme and whether he would recommend it to other businesses.

How did you get involved with the Better Future’s Internship Programme?

“It was a chance encounter really, I was introduced through a mutual contact, we were lucky. I was having trouble recruiting the right sort of candidate for BIG ATOM. We’re a startup so not only does a candidate need the relevant qualifications/experience and be passionate about the circular economy, but they have to be a self-starter, and be willing to work in a small but ambitious team. They have to make the most of all the opportunities that dynamic throws up.

“The programme was very easy to join. We just discussed our requirements with Imperial College, and talked through our specific needs and what we were looking for. They found us a great shortlist of candidates. It was a very bespoke process, and they made it very easy for us.

“Everyone we interviewed was strong, but Rob really made a good impression because from the outset he could articulate design-specific frameworks, or methods, in a way that was very engaging. I knew he could bring high-quality knowledge and practically apply it to support our current team.”

How did Rob fit into your team?

“Rob is a fantastic self-starter, so he was a great fit right away. He responded well to any challenge that was thrown at him and really excelled throughout his internship.

“He was very flexible. Part of his time was spent working in our main office and then he spent several days each month on a BIG ATOM operating site building relationships with site leadership and executing projects.

“At the end of the internship we offered Rob a permanent position with us, which I’m glad to say that he accepted.”

What benefits did the internship programme bring to your business?

“Our team really benefited from having a candidate with strong design engineering skills who was able to make that specific knowledge accessible to us. He could really explain things in layman’s terms so that the whole team could then take that knowledge and use it to improve or change how we do things.

“For example, Rob skills were fundamental to progression of a patent application for a core BIG ATOM technology. This was achieved in a tight schedule and within budget.

“He also made important modifications on the star screen separator which resulted in a 22% increase in product margin. His creative thinking helped us identify and apply alternative materials to achieve a minimum viable product style solution. This solution, which cost £2k to achieve, saved us approximately £20k versus conventional solutions available in the marketplace.”

Would you recommend the internship programme to other employers?

“Yes, I would highly recommend it. The programme is a fantastic way to access candidates with really high quality technical capabilities. Previously we’d struggled to recruit the right type of person to work with us because this level of access is not something that you normally get.

“Connecting with Better Futures and completing the programme also has wider business benefits, it’s like a springboard to grow your network so that you continue to access really skilled candidates in the future.

“I was involved in a networking event at the end of the placement with 200 potential candidates. One of the people I met at that event has been doing a placement with BIG ATOM this summer. It’s a really excellent opportunity that I would definitely recommend other businesses explore.”

BIG ATOM is a growing business and is constantly looking for skilled people to join their team that is passionate about sustainability and building disruptive technologies that will make recycling better and help fight Climate Change.

Our open positions can be found on LinkedIn or Indeed.

If you want to support our cause please follow BIG ATOM us on social media at:
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/bigatom.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigatom.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bigatom