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The Bristol entrepreneurs developing tech to help combat climate change
A University of Bristol spin-out company is developing technology that could combat two of the biggest climate challenges – securing food supply and lowering carbon emissions.
Founded by Sian Fussell and Molly Allington, Albotherm specialises in a smart transitioning coating that regulates the temperature of surfaces and structures without the need for energy input and reflects away unwanted light to prevent overheating.
The firm has just secured £370,000 in seed funding to support the development of the Variable Shading System that is designed for use on agricultural, domestic and commercial buildings – which are expected to account for 13 per cent of global energy by 2050, according to Albotherm figures.
The temperature-responsive glass coating transitions reversibly from clear to white once a certain temperature is reached.
Sian, the CTO of Albotherm, says she became aware of the technology while studying for her PhD at Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials.
“I wanted to understand how we could utilise this technology’s potential to combat climate change,” says Sian. “It is very exciting to see Albotherm gain the opportunity to bring this technology to the market.”
CEO Molly adds: “Two of the biggest climate challenges facing us today are securing food supply and lowering carbon emissions. Albotherm is combating these issues using our passive cooling technology to improve crop yields and cool buildings without energy input.”
The funding round was led by Sustainable Ventures as part of its sustainable accelerator programme. Albotherm is also part of the Spin Up Science Ventures (SUSV) acceleration program, which helps academic founding teams to launch businesses based on scientific discoveries.
The latest investment follows the award of a £210,000 grant from Innovate UK in 2020.
Susannah Mcclintock, investment director at Sustainable Ventures, says: “We are delighted to have invested in Albotherm as we see the potential for their innovative technology to have a significant impact on emissions reductions in both the agricultural and building energy efficiency fields.
“We are also very pleased to have invested in Albotherm’s expert all-female team as part of our belief that diverse teams outperform and our ongoing commitment to women in cleantech to invest in and support the very best founders.”
Dr Ben Miles, CEO of Spin Up Science, says that the funding success is particularly important as only one per cent of venture capital investments currently go to all-female founding teams.
He adds: “The team’s ambition and vision for a sustainable energy future really impressed us and we look forward to seeing this technology make an impact in the fight against climate change.”
Read more: Paving the way for women at the forefront of product design
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