A start-up that has created a fully electric portable cooker for the growing campervan market is hoping a move to new Coventry premises will help it perfect its product and secure crucial investment.
PortalZero, founded by engineers Scott Shearan and Nayden Yurukov, has moved into the Ignite Incubator at Business Innovation Centre in Binley – part of the University of Warwick Science Park – after previously being based in a cluttered home environment.
The pair have developed a portable hob that can connect directly to a campervan or motorhome’s battery for direct power. Older cookers either had to use polluting portable gas or a bulky inverter to allow power to be drawn from a vehicle’s battery.
After unveiling their first prototype in 2024, PortalZero attracted interest and secured its first domestic order, allowing it to iterate its design.
Nayden said: “At around this time, we were offered a sum of money from an external investor to create a product that could work off a low-powered inverter.
“We could have taken that money and compromised on our original idea, but we decided to decline the offer and press ahead with our DC cooker.
After moving from one room to another at Scott’s house to make space for new prototypes, it became clear that PortalZero had outgrown its home beginnings.
While continuing to make use of the shared workspace at The Climb within the University of Warwick’s Innovation District, Scott and Nayden realised that the next stage of PortalZero’s growth required more than just equipment – it needed both founders working side by side in the same space.
Scott and Nayden were introduced to Dirk Schaefer, SME Engagement Lead at the University of Warwick Science Park, through connections made via the Warwick Innovation District as part of Scott’s University of Warwick Graduate Accelerator. Dirk’s name also came up again through Nayden’s Accelerator programme at the University of Sheffield.
Those repeated recommendations convinced PortalZero to move into space at the Business Innovation Centre, aligning perfectly with PortalZero’s manufacturing and design goals within the Midlands.
Nayden added: “The Innovation Centre looked like the perfect space for what we needed”
“Being able to have room to work on our latest prototype away from a home environment was really important to us.
“And the little things, like having a dedicated business address, utilities all being sorted and parcels dealt with all makes such a difference to a small start-up like ours.
“We’re now in a great position to refine our prototype, secure a patent and attract the investment we need to scale. The outdoor leisure market is continuing to grow, and we’re confident our product can really take advantage of that clear opportunity.”
Emma Turner, Centre Manager at the Business Innovation Centre, added: “It’s great to see the collaboration of internal stakeholders at the University of Warwick continue to work to support growing SMEs. We’re delighted that Scott and Nayden have settled into their first office space at the Innovation Centre.
“We’ve had many start-ups take up occupation after working out of their own homes, and the benefits of having a dedicated centre administration team on site will do wonders for their productivity and work-life balance.
“We’ll be on-hand to support PortalZero every step of the way as they work on their latest prototype and pitch it to investors.”
