Building the Future of British Innovation – Jen Fenner and DefProc Engineering
Background
Novel spotlights innovation and leadership across the Liverpool City Region: an award-winning design and manufacturing studio based in Liverpool, DefProc has proved itself a vital bridge between great ideas and real-world products.
Founded in a co-working space, DefProc has grown into a trusted partner for clients ranging from independent artists to national infrastructure providers. It specialises in prototyping, product development and innovation strategy, delivering bespoke engineering solutions that combine technical precision with design thinking.
At the heart of this journey is co-founder Jen Fenner, whose multidisciplinary background and collaborative ethos have shaped a business that thrives on creative leadership, regional impact and purposeful innovation.
The challenge
DefProc was born out of a problem many startups face: how to transform a great idea into a viable, manufacturable product when traditional manufacturers are unwilling to take on small runs or one-off builds.
This gap between concept and execution – particularly acute in the early stages of development – remains one of the most significant barriers to innovation. Many startups can’t move beyond the idea phase simply because the resources, tools and guidance needed to build a prototype or test a concept are out of reach.
The challenge, then, was not only to create a business that could solve technical problems but also to develop a scalable, sustainable model that supports innovation from the ground up.
‘To grow more successful homegrown businesses, we must demystify the journey from idea to product and support people through every stage.’
The approach
DefProc’s approach is rooted in pragmatism, creativity and systems thinking. Co-founders Jen and Patrick Fenner first began building prototypes through DoES Liverpool, a then-nascent makerspace that provided access to a community of like-minded innovators and the tools to experiment, test and build.
The company grew organically – not through venture capital or rigid strategic plans, but by solving real problems, building trusted relationships and letting word-of-mouth fuel its reputation.
Their turning point came in 2015, when the Environment Agency approached them following a series of successful DIY electronics workshops. This led to a decade-long partnership developing remote river-level sensors, national training programmes and bespoke environmental monitoring tools.
Over time, DefProc has taken on increasingly ambitious projects: from fish-counting systems and social care technologies to cutting-edge 5G devices. A standout achievement has been the development of a smart gas pressure sensor for Northern Gas Networks – an innovation that detects low pressure and automatically isolates the customer's gas supply, playing a vital role in the UK’s hydrogen transition and net-zero objectives.
Talking points
• Leadership philosophy: embedded this in every project sets DefProc apart. Jen’s background as a textile designer and artist brings a unique lens to engineering – one that values critical thinking, design empathy and a holistic view of systems.
• A guiding question: “Why?” Why is a solution needed? How does it interact with broader infrastructure? What changes will be required to scale it? This mindset enables DefProc to deliver not just functional prototypes but thoughtful, future-proofed innovations.
• Regional innovation policy: As a member of the Advanced Manufacturing Advisory Board for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Jen works to identify and close the gap between research and commercialisation – a space where many promising ideas falter.
• An informed and accessible innovation ecosystem: Jen advocates for better education around product development, customer testing, and risk management. Her message is clear: to grow more successful homegrown businesses, we must demystify the journey from idea to product and support people through every stage.
• A different kind of startup culture: Perhaps most importantly, DefProc’s culture rejects the ‘move fast and break things’ ethos. Jen argues that the UK doesn't need to mimic Silicon Valley. Instead, it can define its own innovation identity, grounded in community, reliability and long-term value.
• Track record: DefProc’s success shows what’s possible when creative professionals, often overlooked in STEM fields, lead with purpose and design thinking. As Liverpool continues to shape its future economy, Jen and DefProc are examples of how sustainable innovation is not just an ambition, but a lived reality.
