Green Lab

What Green Lab does

Green Lab (legal name: GREEN LAB™ Regenerative Living Lab) is a London-based regenerative design organization founded in 2015 by Andrew Gregson that operates as a living lab for climate-positive innovation. It helps businesses, governments, and communities translate climate ambitions into place-based solutions spanning circular food systems, biomaterial innovation, closed-loop agriculture, and community engagement. The company runs three physical facilities — an Urban Lab in London (3,500 sqft of wet lab, hydroponics, aquaponics, fabrication, and biomaterials research space), a 10,000 sqm Rural Lab (Green Lab Granja) in Andalusia, Spain operated through a registered agrarian association, and a Future Food Living Lab co-developed with HTW Berlin. Core technologies include urine-based nutrient-mining hydroponics, SmartGreens modular indoor farms with photovoltaic vacuum glazing, anaerobic waste-to-energy systems, and London's first publicly accessible biomaterials library built with Materiom.

Green Lab monetizes through a portfolio of professional services: bespoke regenerative-strategy consulting for enterprise and government clients (Samsung UK, Diputación de Málaga, Linea Properties, Seedlip/Diageo); commissioned immersive activations such as Samsung Project Plant and Experiencia Clima; an incubator programme (the original Bermondsey London Incubator and a new 6-week Shoreditch accelerator launching Autumn 2026); education programmes for KS2/KS3 students, universities, and corporate teams; and grant-funded research including Innovate UK SmartGreens (2021-2022) and a Global Feasibility Grant for nutrient mining (2022). Distribution is primarily direct, driven by partnerships, referrals, and academic ties (UCL, UAL, HTW Berlin) and membership in the global Fab Lab Network of 1,800+ innovation labs. The company has supported 25+ early-stage startups (including Entocycle, Materra, Bentio Bio, Kompassion) that collectively raised over $2M in seed capital, and operates across Europe and Southeast Asia with ~22 employees.

Name

Green Lab

Legal name

GREEN LAB™ Regenerative Living Lab

Website

https://greenlab.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Green Lab is a London-based regenerative design organization operating living labs in the UK, Spain, and Germany that helps businesses, governments, and startups prototype circular food systems, biomaterial innovations, and off-grid agriculture through consulting, commissioned activations, and an accelerator programme.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regenerative Design Consulting

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEAGAI

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAMABAA

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/STEM Enrichment & Science Programs

SECONDARYEDAIABAC

Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/University/College Exchange Programs & Partnerships

Keywords

• Regenerative design consulting
• Circular economy design
• Urban farming incubation
• Biomaterials research
• Hydroponic systems design

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Consulting and Regenerative Strategy Services: Green Lab works with organisations to embed circular and regenerative thinking into strategy and operations, providing bespoke consulting engagements for businesses, governments, and communities.
2. Incubator Programme Fees: A structured 6-week accelerator programme for early-stage regenerative ventures hosted in Shoreditch, London (Autumn 2026). Likely supported by programme fees, grants, or partner sponsorship.
3. Research and Grant Funding: Green Lab participates in government-funded research programmes including Innovate UK Global Feasibility Grants and EU-funded projects (e.g. Open Design & Manufacturing knowledge alliance).
4. Educational Programmes and Workshops: School programmes for KS3 students, hands-on residencies for university researchers, and commercial team workshops across the UK and Europe.
5. Commissioned Experience Design and Activation: Green Lab is commissioned by brands and government bodies (e.g. Samsung, Diputación de Málaga) to design and deliver immersive regenerative experiences, events, and installations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Green Lab is a Regenerative Design Lab operating as a living lab for climate-positive innovation. It provides bespoke consulting, prototyping, and accelerator services to businesses, governments, and communities focused on circular food systems, biomaterials, hydroponics, and nutrient recovery. The offering is anchored on two physical facilities — the Urban Lab in London and the Rural Lab (Green Lab Granja) in Andalusia, Spain — combined with incubator programmes, commissioned immersive experiences, and educational programmes aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Product overview

Green Lab is a Regenerative Design Lab operating as a living lab for climate-positive innovation, offering a portfolio of physical facilities, incubator programmes, and project-based services. The core offering comprises two laboratory facilities—the Urban Lab in London (multi-use environment for food, materials, and circular systems experimentation) and the Rural Lab in Andalucía, Spain (10,000 sqm permaculture site for off-grid agriculture). These are complemented by two incubator programmes: the London Incubator (launched 2016) providing 3,500 sqft of lab space for early-stage sustainable food and material startups, and the Shoreditch Works Incubator launching Autumn 2026 offering a 6-week structured accelerator. The Material Lab & Library provides open-access biomaterials research space and a curated collection of bio-based materials. Project services include urban farming systems, hydroponics, nutrient recovery technology, biomaterial innovation, climate education experiences (geodesic domes), and educational programmes for schools and universities. All offerings align with circular economy principles and UN Sustainable Development Goals, targeting businesses, governments, and communities seeking practical regenerative solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Urban Lab Modular, multi-use experimental environment in London with wet lab, hydroponics and aquaponics units, digital fabrication workshop (laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC), and materials research spaces for startups, researchers, and community initiatives working on urban food and circular systems.
• Rural Lab (Green Lab Granja) 10,000 sqm permaculture and agricultural demonstration site in Andalucía, Spain prototyping off-grid agriculture, soil health, renewable energy, composting, vermiculture, and water conservation in drought-prone landscapes.
• London Incubator London's first urban farming and biomaterials incubator, providing affordable studio environment, wet lab infrastructure, bioscience lab, urban grow spaces, fabrication workshop, and event areas for sustainable food and material startups. Operated for four years supporting 25+ startups and 800+ students.
• Shoreditch Works Incubator 6-week structured accelerator programme for early-stage regenerative ventures launching in Shoreditch, London in Autumn 2026. Designed to help early-stage founders (under £250k raised, 1-3 person teams) turn ideas into tested venture propositions with customer evidence, clearer MVPs, and investor-ready stories.
• Material Lab & Library London's first publicly accessible organic and bio-based materials lab and library, providing hands-on R&D space for startups, students, and researchers to experiment with organic waste and alternative materials, including a curated collection of experimental and production-ready bio-based materials.
• Regenerative Design Project Services Bespoke regenerative design and innovation services for businesses, governments, and communities, delivered through commissioned projects covering geodesic dome prototyping, hydroponic farming systems, nutrient recovery and closed-loop farming, biomaterial innovation, climate education experiences, and community engagement programmes.
• Education & Public Engagement Programme Learning experiences including school programmes for KS3 and KS2 students, hands-on residencies for university researchers, and public programmes and community co-design work focused on sustainability and regeneration, delivered at the London Incubator or on-site at partner schools.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25+ early-stage startups supported to grow ideas into businesses
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Asociación Agraria Green Lab GranjacoreOthers · 1 January 2022Registered Spanish NGO (agrarian association) founded by Andrew Gregson and Sonsoles Díaz to operate Green Lab Granja. Serves as steward of the land and platform for community participation, experimentation, and knowledge exchange at the 10,000 sqm Andalusian site.
• University of NottinghamminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Research partner in the 18-month Innovate UK SmartGreens project (2021–2022) developing modular indoor farms with photovoltaic vacuum glazing and smart technologies.
• Kroptek LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaborated on the Innovate UK SmartGreens project (2021–2022) focused on innovative indoor farming using smart systems and photovoltaic technologies.
• Extreme Low Energy LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in the SmartGreens Innovate UK project, contributing expertise in low-energy building systems for indoor farming.
• Ebtech Glasshouse SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in the SmartGreens Innovate UK project, providing glasshouse systems expertise for modular indoor farming.
• Geo Green Power LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in the SmartGreens Innovate UK project, providing renewable energy and green power solutions for indoor farming infrastructure.
• Kew Gardens / Grow WildminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Tasty Natives project funded by Kew Gardens' Grow Wild programme, selected from 300+ applications to deliver culinary experiences celebrating UK native edible plants through community events.
• UCL (University College London)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with UCL's Bartlett school for environment, energy and resources. Green Lab collaborates on bio-material research, Fab Labs innovation support, and joint nutrient recycling research projects including a 2025 Southeast Asia study with Green Shoots Foundation.
• UAL (University of the Arts London)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with University of the Arts London, specifically Central Saint Martins. Green Lab collaborates on Fab Labs innovation support and participated in the EU Open Design & Manufacturing project as UK partner.
• IBYDA (Instituto Biosfera Desarrollo Ambiental)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established through the Innovate UK nutrient mining project. IBYDA is a Spanish environmental institute with which Green Lab signed a collaboration agreement during the urine-based hydroponic pilot in Andalusia.
• Fab Lab NetworkcoreOthersGreen Lab is a member of the global Fab Lab Network of over 1,800 innovation labs worldwide. This membership provides access to global collaboration, shared knowledge, and the Fab Lab philosophy of open-source making.
• Green Shoots FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with Green Shoots Foundation (Cambodia) and a UCL MSc student evaluating innovative approaches to nutrient recycling and circular agriculture in Southeast Asia (2025).
• HTW BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Lab co-developed the Future Food Living Lab strategy with HTW Berlin – University of Applied Sciences (2023). Green Lab led overall strategy, five-year roadmap, physical design, infrastructure, and digital tools for the decentralised regenerative food innovation space.
• Shoreditch Works / Linea PropertiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic delivery partner for Shoreditch Works Regenerative Business Hub (since 2024). Green Lab supports placemaking strategy, activation programme, sustainability vision, incubation, public engagement, workspace strategy, education, and development of real-world tools for sustainable enterprise. Activities span 2024–2028.
• 3SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with regeneration charity 3Space to launch London's first urban farming and biomaterials incubator in 2016, converting a disused primary school in Bermondsey into the 3,500 sqft Green Lab facility.
• Coca-Cola, IKEA, Nestlé, BarclaysminorOthersLeading organisations that have collaborated with Green Lab during its London incubator operations, contributing to workshops, events, and innovation programmes.
• IDEP Foundation (Bali)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership during the Fab Island Bali Challenge (2022) as part of the Water for Life initiative. Green Lab co-developed LoRa water table sensors with IDEP Foundation to support water protection and education programmes across the Balinese Province.
• EU Open Design & Manufacturing ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded knowledge alliance between universities, makerspaces, and enterprises. Green Lab participated over three years alongside University of Arts London, Universita Delgi Studi Firenze, Tecnalia, University of Duesto, Fab Lab Lodz, and others. Activities included seaweed material exploration and distributed design prototyping.
• University of WestminsterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the SITEL (Sustainable Innovation Through Experiential Learning) programme, collaborating on regenerative design workshops in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (June 2018).
• University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the SITEL workshop series in Malaysia (June 2018), bringing together architects, planners, educators, and sustainability professionals from the region.
• Fab City FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted the Fab Island Challenge during the Fab Festival in Bali (2022), aligned with Green Lab's participation in water sensor development for regenerative futures.
• Meaningful Design GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the Fab Island Challenge at Fab Fest Bali 2022, working with Green Lab on the Water for Life challenge.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Circle Economy: Amsterdam-based circular economy consultancy and platform. Comparable B2B/B2G consulting focus on circular systems design, biomaterials, and place-based implementation, though operating at significantly larger scale and brand recognition.
• Impact Hub Network: Global network of impact-focused innovation hubs and accelerators for purpose-driven startups. Operates a comparable accelerator-plus-workspace model for social and environmental ventures, including in London, and serves similar B2B/B2G clients seeking regeneration programming.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: UK-based global thought leader on circular economy. Overlapping B2B/B2G advisory and education remit with Green Lab's regenerative strategy work, though operating at foundation scale with much greater policy influence and brand recognition.
• Catapult (Innovate UK Catapult Network): UK government-backed network of technology and innovation Catapults supporting startups and R&D across sectors relevant to Green Lab (e.g., AgriTech, Materials). Overlapping remit in funding, accelerator programming, and enterprise-GovTech bridging.
• Climate-KIC: EU-funded climate innovation accelerator running programmes similar to Green Lab's Shoreditch incubator for early-stage climate and sustainability ventures. Comparable accelerator programming and EU grant-funded operating model, with overlapping founder demographics.

Direct peers

• Fab Lab London: London-based Fab Lab that Andrew Gregson (Green Lab founder) previously co-founded. Operates the same makerspace and digital fabrication model, sharing the Fab Lab Network membership and overlapping community, education, and prototyping remit in the same city.
• Materiom: Open-source platform for biomaterial experimentation, explicitly partnered with Green Lab on the London Material Lab and Library. Comparable mission and tooling for circular biomaterial R&D with overlapping user communities of startups and researchers.
• Biofabricate: Community and consultancy focused on biomaterial innovation for fashion, apparel, and consumer goods. Highly comparable to Green Lab's Material Lab and Library work and its biomaterial R&D partnerships with brands such as Seedlip/Diageo.
• Valldaura Labs (Fab Lab Barcelona): Self-sufficient Fab Lab on the outskirts of Barcelona focused on regenerative design, biomaterials, and circular food systems, and credited as an inspiration for Green Lab. Comparable hybrid urban/rural living-lab model with deep Fab Lab Network integration and explicit biomaterials and food research remit.

Emerging players

• Infarm: Berlin-headquartered vertical farming and hydroponics company with in-store urban farming installations. Comparable urban hydroponics technology, although operating as a much larger, venture-backed commercial farming scale-up rather than a lab/consultancy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greenlaborg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Green Lab