UCL spinout Bramble Energy secures £5 million investment

The funding will support the launch of Bramble Energy’s zero-emissions portable power product range, which can replace diesel generators. Applications include lighting systems, environmental monitoring, domestic back-up power and camping.

Unlike other hydrogen fuel cell models, Bramble's products are based on printed circuit boards. This means they can be made using existing global manufacturing infrastructure, requiring significantly less time and investment.

Supporting the technology pipeline 

The technology behind Bramble was jointly developed at UCL and Imperial College London, with the company forming in 2015.

Bramble has been supported by UCL Business (UCLB), the university’s commercialisation company and part of UCL Innovation & Enterprise, and the UCL Technology Fund. It’s also received substantial funding from UCL's EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account, managed by UCL Innovation & Enterprise.

Professor Dan Brett (UCL Chemical Engineering), co-inventor of the core technology, said: "This Series A investment marks an important step in the company’s progress. It allows us to ‘leave home’, scale-up operations and properly enter the commercialisation phase.

"We’ve been exceptionally well supported by the department and faculty in building the company. We also received critically important funding from UCL Innovation & Enterprise to help us through the difficult early period between bright idea and exciting commercial opportunity." 

Dr Celia Caulcott, UCL Vice-Provost (Enterprise), added: "Hydrogen technologies are an important part of the future renewable energy economy and will play a crucial role in curbing CO2 emissions. With cutting edge startups like Bramble, the UK has the potential to be a world leader in this technology. It's also testament to the importance of supporting early-stage ideas and fundamental research."

Links

Find out more about:

• Bramble Energy
• innovation and enterprise support for staff
• UCL Chemical Engineering
• UCL Business
• UCL Technology Fund

Photo of the H20 hydrogen fuel cell system © Bramble Energy