Atomik AM, an advanced manufacturing start-up based in Liverpool, has secured £600,000 in growth funding from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II). The funding—delivered through NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance, which is managed by Praetura Ventures—will support a 40% increase in Atomik AM’s workforce in the Liverpool City Region and facilitate the company’s move to larger premises to meet growing demand.
This latest investment follows a previous £125,000 round from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority-backed LYVA Labs. Professor Kate Black, CEO and founder of Atomik AM and Professor of Manufacturing at the University of Liverpool, commented: “At Atomik AM, we believe that true innovation starts with putting materials and sustainability first. This investment will allow us to grow our team and scale our patented technologies, accelerating our ability to deliver cleaner, more efficient manufacturing solutions. From our base in Liverpool, we’re proud to lead this transformation and work with global partners to set a new benchmark for sustainable, materials-led innovation in advanced manufacturing.”
About Atomik AM and its ESG Approach
Founded in October 2022, Atomik AM develops sustainable materials and patented technologies to support efficient, scalable manufacturing. The company has grown to a team of ten and partners with multinational corporations including Unilever and Ricoh. In addition, it is developing and patenting its own IP.
Among its product innovations, the company is patenting its Universal Binder—a specialised adhesive for 3D metal printing that enables high-performance part production in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and energy. Atomik AM has also developed a process to transform aluminium waste into stronger, more durable products than conventional aluminium alloys. Remaining waste is converted into energy, further enhancing the company’s circular approach to resource use.
In addition to advanced materials for additive manufacturing, Atomik AM produces inks for 2D sensor printing and specialty pastes for electronic coatings. Its technologies are designed to reduce the use of scarce resources such as water in manufacturing workflows—a key advantage for companies operating in water-stressed environments.
With UK government data showing that manufacturing contributed 16% of national greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, Atomik AM’s innovations align with broader goals to reduce industrial carbon footprints and progress towards net zero.
Other Strategic Funding Raises
In April, amsight, a German startup focused on data-driven process optimization, completed a pre-seed funding round. The round included contributions from five investors: MBG Schleswig-Holstein and business angels Michael Wohlmuth, Alexander Flamboe, Andreas Berkau, and Michael Jonker. The investment will support the expansion of amsight’s sales and product development teams, as well as efforts to scale its platform and enter new markets. A second closing is planned, with participation open to investors with relevant experience in industrial digitalization and AM technologies.
In 2024, Aridditive, a Barcelona-based startup specializing in 3D printing of precast concrete, successfully closed a €500,000 Pre-Seed funding round, led by BeAble Capital with participation from Suma Capital. The company, which spun off from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and CIM UPC, aims to drive digitalization, automation, and sustainability within the construction sector.
With this fresh investment and additional support from ACCIÓ’s Startup Capital, Aridditive plans to advance its concrete 3D printing technology, promising to transform traditional construction processes.
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Feature image shows Representatives of Praetura Ventures and Atomik AM. Photo via Atomik AM.
