About Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland
The Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland comprises 233 companies, including 113 funded companies having collectively raised $1.11B in venture capital money and private equity. Out of these, 47 are Series A+ funded.
Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland has seen 13 acquisitions and 9 IPOs. This represents almost 9.4% of all such companies - which is higher than the 5.0% exit rate of tech companies in general.
This sector includes companies developing materials which outperform traditional materials with superior properties such as superconductivity, ability to memorise shape, response to environmental stimuli, etc.
Advanced Materials sector is also known as High-Tech Materials , Novel Materials or Smart Materials:.
Companies developing materials which exhibit advanced phenomena such as magnetostriction, superparamagnetism, superconductivity, etc. Also includes materials which are not naturally found on earth and are engineered to foster improved applications, such as biomimetics, electronic textile, smart glass, etc. Companies developing end-products using any of the advanced materials; companies which may not be producing a material with their own IP and only provide services such as distribution, outsourced manufacturing, consultancy, etc. Also excludes non-commercial research organisations and companies with horizontal offerings.
Top Advanced Materials Companies in UK & Ireland
There are 233 Advanced Materials startups in UK & Ireland which include Econic Technologies, Kromek, D3O, Solena Materials, Porotech. Out of these, 113 startups are funded, with 47 having secured Series A+ funding.
Over the past 10 years, an average of 8 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of Imperial College London, University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.
Here is the list of top Advanced Materials startups in UK & Ireland
Developer of technology that transforms carbon dioxide into valuable raw materials. The technology licenses a process using a unique catalyst to replace fossil-based materials. This process enables manufacturers to create polyols and surfactants for various consumer products. The technology can be incorporated into existing supply chains. It offers an energy-efficient and cost-competitive alternative.
Key facts about Econic Technologies
- Founded Year: 2011
- Location: Macclesfield (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Series E
- Total Funding till date: $43.2M
- Investors: Capricorn Partners, Gov.uk and 44 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series E, Oct 15, 2024, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 64/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 10 Competitors
2. Kromek
Developer of radiation detection solutions for multiple applications. It provides users with a platform that offers products that are based on high-performance sensor materials such as cadmium zinc telluride. It also offers materials, hardware, software, and ASICs. It has applications in multiple industry verticals including medical, nuclear, and security screening markets.
Key facts about Kromek
- Founded Year: 2003
- Location: Sedgefield (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $1.8M
- Investors: Herald Investment Management, HSBC and 5 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Grant (prize money), Jan 18, 2024, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 63/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 98 Competitors
3. D3O
Manufacturer of impact, vibration, and shock absorption materials. These materials are used in diverse applications, including motorcycle and mountain bike components, electronics protection, workwear, and defense products. The company develops and provides these materials to various partner brands globally. Its focus is on engineering solutions that mitigate harm from impact, vibration, and shock. The company also offers guidance on material handling, bonding, and packaging.
Key facts about D3O
- Founded Year: 2001
- Location: Croydon (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Acquired
- Total Funding till date: $19.4M
- Investors: Beringea, InvestMichigan! and 1 Other
- Latest Funding Round: Series B, Apr 07, 2015, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 61/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 6 Competitors
Developer of sustainable, non-oil derived, biodegradable fibres for the apparel industry. The company designs new proteins using deep learning models to create these fibres. This technology addresses the environmental impact of synthetic materials and the limitations of natural fibres. The company aims to provide apparel companies with sustainable textile alternatives.
Key facts about Solena Materials
- Founded Year: 2021
- Location: London (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Seed
- Total Funding till date: $10.8M
- Investors: Insempra, Lululemon and 5 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Seed, May 02, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 60/100 What is this?
5. Porotech
Developer of GaN-based microLED displays. It has developed MicroLED chips with a single GaN material system. MicroLED is ideally suited for the next generation of AR or MR near-eye applications, wearables, and other consumer electronics devices. Applications include lasers, power electronics, quantum computing, and communication.
Key facts about Porotech
- Founded Year: 2018
- Location: Cambridge (United Kingdom)
- Stage: Series A
- Total Funding till date: $25.4M
- Investors: Ameba Capital, University of Cambridge and 18 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series A, Feb 22, 2022, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 60/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 3 of 84 Competitors
Companies founded year-on-year in the Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland
17 Advanced Materials startups in UK & Ireland were founded in 2018 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | - |
2025 | - |
2024 | 5 |
2023 | 6 |
2022 | 8 |
2021 | 13 |
2020 | 11 |
2019 | 15 |
2018 | 17 |
2017 | 11 |
Stage-wise distribution of Advanced Materials sector companies in UK & Ireland
Out of the total 233 Advanced Materials companies in UK & Ireland, 113 have secured funding. Among them, 47 have reached Series A or higher, and 28 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 233
Funded - 113
Series A+ - 47
Series B+ - 28
Series C+ - 25
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 233 |
Funded | 113 |
Series A+ | 47 |
Series B+ | 28 |
Series C+ | 25 |
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Funding Trends in the Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland
Total funding year-on-year in the Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland
The Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland saw a total funding of more than $970M in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding was in 2018 at more than $244M.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2025 | $100M |
2024 | $141M |
2023 | $82M |
2022 | $169M |
2021 | $94.1M |
2020 | $62.3M |
2019 | $27.6M |
2018 | $244M |
2017 | $9.4M |
Recent Funding Rounds in Advanced Materials in UK & Ireland
In the year 2025, till November 2025, Advanced Materials companies in UK & Ireland have raised $94.7M in equity funding across 12 rounds.
In the same period last year (i.e. till October 2024), Advanced Materials companies in UK & Ireland had raised $124M across 19 rounds.
So, 2025 has seen a 23.57% drop in funding in Advanced Materials companies in UK & Ireland as compared to 2024.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Advanced Materials companies in UK & Ireland:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Seed | 9839 | Nov 18, 2025 | ||
Series A | 6979 | Oct 30, 2025 | ||
Series A | 6869 | Oct 22, 2025 | ||
Seed | 5196 | Oct 20, 2025 | ||
Series B | 4775 | Oct 13, 2025 | - |
Top Investors in Advanced Materials in UK & Ireland
Plug and Play Tech Center is the top investor in Advanced Materials companies in UK & Ireland based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Advanced Materials companies in UK & Ireland:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
Sunnyvale (United States) | ||
Cork (Ireland) | - | |
London (United Kingdom) | ||
London (United Kingdom) | ||
Washington, DC (United States) | - |
M&A activity in Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland
In the year 2025, till December 2025, 2 acquisitions happened in Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland. Last year, in 2024, a total of 3 acquisitions happened in Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Dec 02, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jan 23, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Dec 09, 2024 | ||
Business Acquisition | Dec 04, 2024 | ||
Business Acquisition | May 06, 2024 |
Acquisition trends in Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland
Here are the acquisition trends in Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | - |
2025 | 2 |
2024 | 3 |
2023 | - |
2022 | 1 |
2021 | 3 |
2020 | - |
2019 | 1 |
2018 | - |
2017 | 1 |
IPOs in Advanced Materials in UK & Ireland
In the year 2022, till February 2022, 1 IPO happened in Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Advanced Materials sector in UK & Ireland:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Feb 04, 2022 | OTC Markets (OTCMKTS) | |
May 01, 2015 | London Stock Exchange (LSE) | |
Apr 14, 2014 | London Stock Exchange (LSE) | |
Oct 16, 2013 | London Stock Exchange (LSE) | |
Nov 24, 2006 | London Stock Exchange (LSE) |
Colleges which produce the most Advanced Materials companies in UK & Ireland
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Advanced Materials in UK & Ireland
Most number of Advanced Materials startups in UK & Ireland have been founded by alumni from Imperial College London, University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Imperial College London | 18 |
University of Cambridge | 10 |
University of Oxford | 4 |
King’s College London | 3 |
University of Manchester | 3 |
University College London | 2 |
University of Edinburgh | 2 |
University of Warwick | 2 |
Columbia University | 1 |
Cornell University | 1 |
Total funding in Advanced Materials companies founded by alumni from top colleges in UK & Ireland
In the last 10 years, Imperial College London graduates' Advanced Materials companies in UK & Ireland have raised the most funding among top colleges. University of Cambridge alumni are second, and University College London alumni are third.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
Imperial College London | $188M |
University of Cambridge | $112M |
University College London | $80.8M |
University of Oxford | $63.6M |
National University of Singapore (NUS) | $25.4M |
University of Edinburgh | $25.4M |
Stanford University | $21.1M |
Cornell University | $9.6M |
University of Warwick | $4.45M |
University of Bristol | $2.89M |
Top News in Advanced Materials in UK & Ireland
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Quantum Science launches Innovate UK-funded feasibility studyInsider Media•Sep 15, 2025•Quantum Science
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Quantum Science secures grant to develop mid-wave infrared quantum dot technologyNew Electronics•Sep 12, 2025•Quantum Science
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Global Fiber Packaging Business Plants Roots in Renville, Minn.PerishableNews.com•Mar 06, 2025•CelluComp, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, RyPax
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Daresbury Quantum dot ink specialist signs major European JDAProlific North•Jan 08, 2025•Quantum Science
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Chimcomplex and Econic sign MOU to explore production of CO₂ polyols in EuropeBusiness Review•Oct 23, 2024•Chimcomplex, Econic Technologies
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Lehmann partners with Xampla for nutrient microencapsulationPackaging Gateway•Aug 30, 2024•Lehmanningredients, Xampla
