CPI Enterprises portfolio updates — July 2024

January

The Startups 100 Index named DEScycle among the UK’s most innovative new businesses. The company also announced the appointment of several senior industry leaders to its newly formed Advisory Panel and was selected as one of only 7 finalists in the ​‘Industry and Machines’ track of Hello Tomorrow’s Global Challenge.

BiologIC Technologies was featured in a BBC News article that investigates the use of AI in healthcare. Its CEO, Richard Vellacott, also represented BiologIC at 10 Downing Street, where he discussed entrepreneurial opportunities for science and technology businesses in the UK. BiologIC was also a recipient of the Digital Innovation Fund Award from Made Smarter Innovation’s Smart Manufacturing Data Hub.

February

PolyPhotonix showcased the Noctura 400, a sleep mask that treats diabetic eye disease, at the 100% Optical Congress, where they met inspiring optometrists at the forefront of their field.

March

Qualus announced that Megisserie Richard, a tannery in Millau, France, has decided to start using its Sferes technology to accelerate its journey to net zero. Already silver-rated by the Leather Working Group, the tannery targets achieving a gold rating with the additional water savings possible with Qualus’ technology. 

DEScycle CTO Rob Harris presented at the UK-US Critical Minerals R&D Workshop in Chicago. Organised by the US Department of Energy Critical Materials Innovation Hub, the workshop convened R&D stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to discuss the latest advances for secure and sustainable critical minerals and materials value chains. 

Q5D opened its Technical Assessment Centre in Bristol to help customers implement wiring automation. It has already attracted several major automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers into that sector, some with projects running into 2025. 

April

Graphene Composites announced patent approval of its Thermal Management System that protects vehicles – including ships and high-speed aircraft – from heat damage.

Q5D announced the successful closure of a $3 million investment round led by Lockheed Martin Ventures, the venture investment arm of Lockheed Martin Corporate, a global aerospace and defence company. 

QV Bioelectronics’ innovative implanted device, GRACE, which delivers electric field therapy intended to treat Glioblastoma, was reviewed by the Brain Tumour Research Novel Therapeutics Accelerator Committee for guidance on bringing the therapy to market effectively. 

CPI Enterprises joined forces with Maven Capital Partners, Northstar Ventures and TCS Biosciences to provide MarraBio Ltd, a spinout from Newcastle University, with an initial round of seed investment funding. MarraBio is developing ground-breaking technology to produce alternatives to bioactive proteins, some of the most expensive man-made materials used in industry. 

May

CPI Enterprises invested a quarter of a million pounds in pioneering bioplastics firm Floreon Technology, which was born from a successful partnership with the University of Sheffield. Founded in 2011, the company’s products use 70 – 90% plant-based raw materials, including its patent-pending Therma-Tech grade plastic, the world’s first halogen-free PLA compound to achieve UL94V‑0 flammability certification. 

Q5D’s CTO and Founder, Chris Elsworthy, has been shortlisted for the ​‘Engineering Innovator of the Year’ award by judges of the Engineering and Manufacturing Awards event. Chris’ work leading the design and development of the world’s first additive manufacturing robot for wire harness automation is recognised by being shortlisted for the honour. The awards will take place on 4 September 2024. The company was also one of 500 UK companies featured in the UKII Intelligence report, sponsored by Verizon Business, which consists of exceptional stories of innovation and talent, spotlighting the collective vision and future potential of UK industry. 

June

Evoralis Ltd received a half-million-pound investment, which will be managed by CPI Enterprises, as part of a new pilot investment programme led by Innovate UK. Evoralis is an enzyme development company, specialising in enzymes that can break down plastics for a truly circular economy. 

Qkine transitioned to a fully animal-origin-free recombinant protein manufacturing process for ethical and sustainable bioproduction. This approach meets the growing focus on cruelty-free and sustainable practices, while also enhancing the safety and consistency of growth factor production by eliminating the risk of animal-derived contaminants in the final product.