Andrew is the founder and driving force behind CATAGEN, a successful spin-out from Queen’s University, Belfast (QUB). Completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Automotive Catalysis, he leveraged his expertise to establish the CATAGEN business. During his time at QUB, Andrew collaborated closely with Professor Roy Douglas, pioneering a ground-breaking and cost-effective method for testing catalytic converters, crucial for cleaning up tailpipe emissions. CATAGEN initially focused on supplying test equipment to two major vehicle manufacturers. Building on this success, Dr Woods spearheaded a significant research and development initiative aimed at scaling the technology for broader applications and in 2017, Andrew launched a service-based business model, leading to remarkable growth for CATAGEN. The company’s rapid expansion earned recognition from Deloitte naming CATAGEN one of Ireland’s fastest growing businesses in 2019, 2020 and 2023. CATAGEN also stood as Northern Ireland representative on Tech Nation’s Net Zero Cohort in 2021 and 2022.  

In 2019 Andrew developed a highly scalable and disruptive business strategy based on learnings he accumulated in entrepreneurship development courses at MIT and Stanford Universities. As a result, and utilising the team’s ingenuity, talent, and united sense of purpose to ‘clean and decarbonise the air’, CATAGEN developed ClimaHtech - 5 cutting-edge Net Zero technologies - and has won 7  UK Government Funding Awards from Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. These advancements include renewable hydrogen production, e-Fuel production, carbon capture and hydrogen compression technologies. These significantly disruptive technologies have put the company on a path to be a truly scalable, global net zero technologies company that has true impact on climate targets. In recognition of Andrew’s success, he is a finalist in EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2023.