AmpliSi, a University of Sheffield spin-out developing silicon anode materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, has raised £2m in pre-seed funding. The round was led by Northern Gritstone and Clean Growth Fund, with the capital aimed at advancing the company from laboratory development to industrial scale-up and early customer engagement.
The company is focused on replacing traditional graphite anodes with its proprietary porous silicon material, which is designed to deliver lighter, longer-lasting, and higher-energy batteries for applications including electric vehicles and energy storage systems. AmpliSi’s technology is based on a low-temperature process that converts abundant silica into porous silicon, offering a simpler and lower-emissions pathway compared to conventional manufacturing approaches.
The funding will support the transition from breakthrough research to commercial deployment, with an initial focus on the mobility sector and integration into existing battery supply chains. The investment also marks the first deal from Clean Growth Fund’s second fund, which recently completed a £49m first close and is targeting £150 million.
AmpliSi was co-founded at the University of Sheffield and developed with support from Cambridge Future Tech. The company is led by CEO Dr Ruth Sayers, alongside Chief Scientific Advisor Dr Siddharth Patwardhan and CTO Dr Gwen Chimonides.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re delighted to invest in innovation emerging from Sheffield as we begin deploying capital from Fund II. Silicon anodes have long been recognised as offering dramatic performance advantages over current anode materials in battery systems. AmpliSi’s technology directly addresses the challenges that have restricted the widescale adoption of silicon anodes to date, including the emissions intensity of current manufacturing processes. Clean Growth Fund is delighted to support the company on its goal of unlocking silicon’s potential and supporting the acceleration of the energy transition.”
Beverley Gower-Jones OBE, Managing Partner, Clean Growth Fund
“Our focus from day one has been on building a new type of silicon battery material that can be produced at scale and integrated into existing battery supply chains. This investment allows us to move beyond proof-of-concept and concentrate on scaling a product that delivers real commercial value to battery manufacturers, without introducing unnecessary cost or complexity.”
Dr Ruth Sayers, CEO, AmpliSi
