In conversation with Anaïs Engelmann - Co-founder & CPO of Team Repair

About Team Repair

Team Repair is an award-winning company founded by a team of Design Engineers from Imperial College London. They are on a mission to increase STEM uptake and tackle the e-waste crisis, using the magic of repair. As kids, they loved taking broken things apart, seeing how they worked, and trying to fix them. It was these hands-on experiences that made Team Repair want to be engineers when we grew up! They created Team Repair to share these experiences and show kids how fun science, tech, and engineering can be.

About the Net Zero Places Innovation Network

The Net Zero Places Innovation Network supports local authorities with their Net Zero journey, and engages with many businesses across a wide range of sectors to support them in public sector procurement. It aims to bring the latest products and services to the forefront, to ensure local authorities are aware of the innovations being developed across the UK.

Addressing e-waste and supporting young people

Anaïs, thanks for sitting down with us. What inspired the creation of Team Repair?
Thanks for having me! Team Repair was born out of a simple but powerful idea: to bring the magic of repair into classrooms and homes. My co-founders and I all studied Design Engineering at Imperial College London, and we’ve always been fascinated by how things work. As kids, we’d take apart broken electronics just to see what was inside. That curiosity led us into STEM careers, and we wanted to share that experience with the next generation while tackling a huge global issue—electronic waste.

E-waste is a growing problem. How does Team Repair help tackle it?
It’s a huge issue—millions of tonnes of electronics are discarded each year, many of which could have been repaired. We teach young people practical repair skills through hands-on workshops in schools. Our kits contain real gadgets with carefully designed faults, and students learn how to diagnose and fix them. But what makes us unique is our circular rental model—once a school finishes with a kit, we take it back, “re-break” the gadgets, and send them to another school. This ensures our resources are reused, reducing waste while reaching more students.

That’s such an innovative approach! You’ve worked with thousands of young people—what impact have you seen so far?
The response has been incredible! Since 2022, we’ve taught repair to over 7,500 young people across the UK. 56% of them say they’re now more likely to repair items themselves, and 30% have shown an increased interest in pursuing a STEM career. That’s exactly what we set out to do—shift mindsets and spark curiosity.

Collaborating across the UK

You’ve partnered with councils and waste authorities across the UK. How does that collaboration work?
Councils and waste authorities are key partners because they have sustainability and education targets that align with what we do. For example, we’ve been working with the East London Waste Authority since 2022 to deliver repair education across four boroughs—Havering, Redbridge, Newham, and Barking & Dagenham. Similarly, the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames funds 250 kits per year for local schools. These partnerships help councils reduce waste while equipping young people with valuable green skills.

Schools are obviously a big focus, but do you offer anything for individuals at home?
Absolutely! We have a version of our kits for home use, which includes a broken gadget, spare parts, tools, and a set of science, design, and sustainability challenges. It’s a great way for kids to learn repair skills independently or as a family activity.

You mentioned making repair accessible to all students, even those without prior STEM experience. How do you achieve that?
That’s a core part of our mission. We designed our programme so any educator can deliver a repair lesson, even if they have no STEM or repair background. The kits come with detailed guides, and we offer full support and training. The idea is to break down the barriers that make STEM seem intimidating, repair is hands-on, rewarding, and something everyone can get involved in.

Repairing gadgets sounds exciting, but what about the learning aspect? How do you integrate STEM education into the process?
Great question! Each repair kit is packed with science and engineering principles. As students take apart a gadget, they learn about circuitry, mechanics, and materials. We also include extension activities that link to the curriculum, covering sustainability, problem-solving, and critical thinking. It’s a practical way to bring STEM to life.

Impact and the future

What’s next for Team Repair? Any exciting plans on the horizon?
Lots! We’re expanding our reach across more schools and councils, and we’re working on new kits featuring different types of electronics. We’re also exploring ways to make repair education even more interactive, possibly through digital tools or gamification. The ultimate goal is to make repair a normal part of everyday life.

Finally, for those reading this who want to support your mission, how can they get involved?
We’d love for more schools, councils, and organisations to partner with us to bring repair education to even more young people. Individuals can also buy kits for home use or donate to help fund kits for schools in need. Spreading the word is another big help—every conversation about repair and sustainability makes a difference!

Anaïs, this has been fascinating. Thanks for sharing the journey of Team Repair with us!
Thank you! Hopefully, we’ll inspire more young people to pick up a screwdriver and give repair a try.
If you would like to find out more about Team.Repair and their impact please visit their website https://www.team.repair or contact simon.degaris@iukbc.org.uk for an introduction to the Team Repair team.