£3 million injection for automotive SMEs
- 14 companies in the UK’s innovative automotive sector have had an investment of over £3 million, including over £2.3 million in government grant funding.
- Each to receive up to £170,000 and tailored business support through the Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP)
- Companies who previously completed the programme have collectively raised over £300 million in private investment.
17 September 2024 TDAP supports micro-businesses, SMEs, startups, and university spinouts specialising in zero-emission technologies which tackle transport decarbonisation. Through dedicated Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) support over the 18-month term, TDAP helps accelerate these concepts to be investment and market-ready.
This is the eighth group to have participated in what has been a successful accelerator for the automotive sector, with companies in previous cohorts having gone on to raise over £300 million in private investment since its launch in 2015.
The new entrants include projects to improve battery performance, battery recycling, advanced manufacturing materials, and wireless charging solutions.
Josh Denne, APC’s Head of Product (Start-up, Scale-up, Investment), said:
“Congratulations to the latest 14 companies to be selected for our accelerator programme. Alongside my team at the APC, I’m excited to be part of their journey as we discover some of the best cutting-edge green technology in the automotive sector.
We will work closely with each recipient to help them with more than just funding; we aim to develop their offering and their business. As previous iterations of this programme have shown, it can lead to greater private investment and commercial success. This is why our intervention at this point in their story can really be a spark for further opportunity and I look forward to seeing how they make the most of that.”
For benefits beyond funding and support, TDAP can set the stage for collaboration between participants, as introductions through the programme’s networking days can lead to new partnerships. It also offers companies the chance to get in front of likely investors, by taking part in events such as the annual Mobilise the Future Clean Mobility Showcase, delivered in partnership with the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA).
This year’s TDAP cohort is:
Battery Minerals, London
Battery Minerals’ mission is to help deliver a circular battery supply chain by improving the economics of mineral extraction for battery waste.
Jacob Carpenter, Commercial Manager of Battery Minerals Ltd, said: “Development of recycling processes are essential for the European battery industry and support from the APC will be instrumental in the commercialisation of our novel recycling technology.”
DeepForm, Cambridge
DeepForm Ltd is introducing a novel, patented, sheet metal pressing technology that can significantly reduce the high levels of waste in automotive pressings, reducing cost and CO2 emissions.
Christopher Cleaver, CEO and Founder of DeepForm Ltd, said: “We’re excited about working with the Advanced Propulsion Centre on refining DeepForm’s offering to customers and introducing our second major demonstrator toolset”
Electric Green, London
Electric Green Limited is developing smart wireless charging solutions which allow electric vehicles to charge without plugging in a cable. The technology addresses both the charging infrastructure and the vehicle-side, providing a cost-effective pathway for vehicle manufacturers to factory fit wireless charging.
Martin Beaumont, CEO of Electric Green Limited said: “It’s great news that the Advanced Propulsion Centre is supporting Electric Green in our mission to deliver wireless charging solutions for EV drivers. This grant, together with the industry expertise & support, is just the kind of assistance we need.”
Enough Energy, London
Enough Energy aims to support the shift to renewables through developing innovative energy storage solutions, leveraging the best and latest technologies available. The team is making an advancement in batteries and power conversion that results in significant system cost reductions (up to an expected 50%) compared to traditional technology approaches, as well as increased system lifetimes, ability for second life cell integration and flexible AC and DC power output.
Jack Holden, Co-Founder of Enough Energy Ltd said: “We’re stoked to be taking part in TDAP and thrilled that the Advanced Propulsion Centre recognises the potential of our innovation.”
FLIT, Cambridge
FLIT develops lightweight folding ebikes for urban commuters with a mission to build ebikes that are so useful that even people who don’t ride bikes will want one.
Alex Murray, Managing Director of FLIT said: “Funding from TDAP will allow FLIT to go beyond just building folding ebikes and instead allow us to develop ebikes that can be refurbished, reused, and recycled as efficiently as possible. This will keep more bikes on the road and will reduce waste.”
Generational Technologies, London
Generational is an innovative software company that provides battery assessments and performance monitoring for electric vehicles. Founded in 2023 by experts in the EV sector, they work with vehicle dealerships, leasing companies and fleet operators to increase the value of EVs and educate drivers with personalised usage advice
Oliver Phillpott, CEO of Generational Technologies said: “We’re hugely excited to receive this grant from an organisation as prestigious as the Advanced Propulsion Centre, which recognises the important work we’re doing. Our mission is to support EV values, decrease ownership costs and ultimately accelerate the EV transition.”
IONETIC, Banbury
IONETIC is a battery pack technology company, developing a one-stop solution, empowering all OEMs to create excellent electric vehicles, with the correct economics and performance. This is done by reducing battery pack development costs up to 10x and tailoring the battery pack design to the customer specification.
James Eaton, CEO & Co-Founder of IONETIC said: “We are pleased to be part of TDAP and working with the APC to build IONETIC into a leading battery pack tier 1.”
Molyon, Cambridge
Molyon, is developing its patented cathode solution which enables next generation high energy density batteries. Molyon’s efforts in lithium-sulfur batteries have shown twice the energy density of lithium-ion batteries on the market, all whilst using more sustainable and low-cost materials. This has drastic implications for drones, high-altitude platform stations, electric vehicles, and electric aviation.
Ismail Sami, CEO of Molyon said: “Molyon is delighted to join the Advanced Propulsion Centre and the grant funding awarded to enable our ground-breaking technology.”
NiTech Solutions, Edinburgh
NiTech Solutions is a UK based business aiming to be at the forefront in transforming the chemical processing industry through developing advanced manufacturing solutions for chemical production in the 21st Century.
Kevin Bathgate, CEO of NiTech Solutions Limited said: “Building upon our successful CatContiCryst project as part of UKRI’s Faraday Battery Challenge, we are pleased to be one of the companies selected by the Advanced Propulsion Centre for this grant to support the further development of NiTech Solutions innovative continuous processing technology and market adoption.”
Polaron, St Albans
Polaron is accelerating the design of advanced materials with generative AI. By leveraging microstructural image data, Polaron’s platform provides engineers with the tools to optimise material designs, significantly enhancing the performance, reducing cost, and enhancing sustainability.
Isaac Squires, CEO of Polaron said: “We are excited to be part of TDAP. The team will relish the support to help accelerate our innovation to market.”
Raeon, Cherwell, Oxfordshire
Raeon is aiming to disrupt the custom battery market by offering a 10x reduction in development cost and lead time for application-optimised, ‘any shape’ batteries. By leveraging their patent pending technology, Raeon is offering an alternative to the current expensive or impractical options on the market. Aimed at low-medium volume e-mobility applications, their battery construction approach promises compact cell spacing, with the ability to upgrade to the latest cell mid-production cycle, with minimal tooling costs and development lead times.
Tom Brooks, Co-Founder of Raeon said: “Raeon are extremely grateful for the opportunity to accelerate our ‘any shape’ custom battery technology with the APC’s support. The UK e-mobility sector is struggling to adopt battery technology across all vehicle types; motorbikes, boats, robotics etc simply because it is too costly to develop custom, application-optimised batteries. We’re directly addressing that problem with our innovative battery assembly approach and are excited to leverage the APC’s support to ensure customers can access this technology sooner rather than later!”
TaiSan, London
TaiSan is developing novel quasi-solid-state sodium batteries with proprietary IP in electrolyte and anode materials to reach high energy density. The company has signed a number of MoUs with auto customers.
Sanzhar Taizhan, Founder & CEO of TaiSan said: “It’s a pleasure to enter the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s Technology Developer Accelerator Programme to support our development of our novel quasi-solid sodium battery cells.”
Tribol Braking, Teignbridge, Devon
Tribol Braking brings revolutionary, patented approaches to manufacturing high performance composite braking components for the automotive sector that are lighter, and last longer. Tribol has developed a full-Composite-Brake-Pad (CBP) using polymer composites, such as carbon fibre, in place of steel in automotive brake pads. Its unique and patented multi-layered composite solution will address the problems of ever-increasing vehicle weight to extend vehicle range and efficiency.
Luke Savage, Director, of Tribol Braking Ltd said: “The APC Technology Developer Accelerator Programme, is a fantastic opportunity for Tribol Braking, offering exactly the support, insight and expertise we need to move our technology onwards and gain wider adoption in the automotive sector.”
TUAL Technology, Glasgow
TUAL is an innovator in electric commercial vehicle charging solutions, working with enterprise customers across Europe to deliver technology that transforms productivity, profitability, and utilisation. With a comprehensive portfolio of solutions that service a range of use-cases at the core of a fleet’s day-to-day activities, TUAL overcomes grid and vehicle constraints with products built around high-performance powerbanks.
Philip Clarke, CEO and Founder of TUAL said: “Providing van-fleet drivers with guaranteed access to the energy they need, at the time and place of their choosing, plays a critical role in transforming vehicle suitability, driver satisfaction, and fleet profitability. Accelerating the adoption of electric commercial vehicles is our singular mission, and we’re excited to partner with the Advance Propulsion Centre as part of TDAP.”
Read the other announcements
Multi-million investment by government and automotive industry for exciting zero-emission vehicle technology
The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and the Department for Business and Trade have announced a multi-million-pound package of investment for the automotive industry.
New £59.9 million investment for UK green vehicle production
The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) has revealed the successful applicants of the latest Collaborative Research and Development funding round.
£18.3 million to take new vehicle prototypes from design to demonstrator
The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) has announced an £18.3 million investment in 11 fast-start projects aimed at rapidly developing automotive products with a clear route to market.
£4.6 million investment in the UK electric vehicle supply chain
The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) is pleased to announce seven new Feasibility Studies focused on strengthening the UK’s EV supply chain capabilities, with a total investment of £4.6 million.
