Innovate UK Council member
Dr Harry Destecroix is a member of the Innovate UK Council.
Harry is a scientist, entrepreneur, and investor. He is the Founder and Director of Science Creates and the Founding Managing Partner of SCVC, a national deep-tech venture capital firm.
Harry began his entrepreneurial journey while completing his PhD at the University of Bristol, where he founded Ziylo in 2014, a smart-insulin startup. As Chief Executive Officer, he led Ziylo from inception to its acquisition by Novo Nordisk in 2018. Following the sale, he co-founded Carbometrics, a glucose-sensor company spun out from Ziylo’s technology.
Frustrated by the lack of infrastructure to support science-based startups like his own, Harry founded Science Creates in 2015. The first deep-tech incubator opened in Bristol in 2017, providing specialised lab space and support for early-stage ventures. A second incubator opened in 2021, and construction of a third began in 2025, scheduled to open in 2026.
In 2021, he launched SCVC, inspired by his experience raising capital for Ziylo and investing as an angel. SCVC is a founder-led national deep-tech VC now investing from its second fund.
Harry also established the Science Creates Outreach charity in 2023 to inspire the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs, with the goal of engaging 4,000 local school children each year.
In 2025, Harry was awarded an MBE for his services to science and entrepreneurship. He is passionate about enabling the UK to turn more scientific discoveries into innovations and startups through ensuring the right infrastructure, support and investment is available to both startups and scale ups. He believes this translation of research is the bedrock of societal progress and our greatest tool to improve the health of people and the planet, while driving long-term economic growth and prosperity.
Last updated: 28 November 2025