For the fourth 12 months operating, TCT has been proud to associate with the Sanjay Mortimer Basis on the SMF Rising Star Award, which recognises up-and-coming neurodivergent younger individuals with the potential to contribute drastically in direction of the engineering business.
Previous winners Zac Smith, Charlotte Bridgewater and Abigail Duckworth have since gone on to launch their engineering careers within the motorsport and biomedical sectors.
The 2026 winner is 14-year-old Neil Doherty. The announcement was made reside on the primary stage at TCT 3Sixty on Thursday 4 June the place SMF CEO Teula Bradshaw hosted an insightful panel session with the three earlier rising star award winners, discussing the influence this award has had since they every received the award.
At simply 14 years previous, Neil is the youngest winner but, and has been recognised for his inspiring progress in 3D printing. In only a few years, by means of mentorship from 3D Printing Cornwall, he has grown from full newbie to creating and promoting his personal designs domestically, constructing confidence, creativity, and worthwhile life expertise alongside the best way. Nonetheless early in his journey, Neil is already exploring new applied sciences and sharing his ardour to encourage others, making him a unbelievable instance of the potential of younger individuals in additive manufacturing.
Neil wins a Prusa CORE One + 3D Printer, and can grow to be the following SMF Star, giving him entry to mentorship, coaching, grants and extra.
