Amplisi
Founded 2025 · 9 employees on LinkedIn · 2 known investors
AmpliSi develops porous silicon battery anode material using a proprietary silane-free, low-temperature magnesiothermic process that converts silica into high-energy silicon anodes to replace graphite in lithium-ion batteries. It targets battery manufacturers and research partners, primarily for electric vehicle and energy storage applications.
Also known as AmpliSi
Founders & leadership
Investors · 2
Company profile
researched Aug 2026AmpliSi is a UK-based advanced materials company developing porous silicon anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Its process converts abundant silica into porous silicon using a proprietary, patented magnesiothermic route that is silane-free and operates at low temperature (below 400°C), which the company positions against conventional silicon production methods it describes as expensive, hazardous and difficult to scale.
The material is intended to replace traditional graphite anodes, which the company says limit energy density, charging speed and weight while adding cost. AmpliSi states its anodes deliver up to four times higher energy density, longer life, and a roughly 30% reduction in cost per kWh, and that the material is compatible with existing battery manufacturing lines. Target applications span electric vehicles and stationary and grid-scale energy storage. The company is a spin-out co-founded at the University of Sheffield with company builder Cambridge Future Tech, and is headquartered in Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Founding story
The company originated from research at the University of Sheffield and was built out with support from Cambridge Future Tech, a venture builder. Its leadership includes CEO Dr Ruth Sayers, Chief Scientific Advisor Dr Siddharth Patwardhan and CTO Dr Gwen Chimonides.
Business model
AmpliSi develops and intends to supply porous silicon anode material to battery manufacturers, working with manufacturers and research partners to test and integrate the material into existing production lines as a route toward commercial supply.
Latest developments
In March 2026 AmpliSi raised £2m (~$2.7m) in pre-seed funding led by Northern Gritstone and Clean Growth Fund. The investment was the first deal from Clean Growth Fund's second fund, which had completed a £49m first close and is targeting £150m. Proceeds are earmarked for refining the manufacturing process, industrial scale-up and engagement with prospective commercial partners and customers.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
An early-stage entrant in silicon anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, positioning its low-temperature, silane-free process against incumbent graphite anodes and existing silicon production methods.
Technology
A patented magnesiothermic process converts silica into porous silicon anode material. The process is silane-free and runs below 400°C, which the company presents as a simpler, lower-emissions and more scalable pathway than conventional silicon anode manufacturing. Claimed performance includes up to four times higher energy density than graphite, long cycle life, and about 30% lower cost per kWh.
Go-to-market
Collaboration with battery manufacturers and research partners to validate and integrate the material into existing production lines, with an initial focus on the mobility sector and early customer engagement following its pre-seed round.
Lithium-ion battery manufacturers and research partners, with end applications in electric vehicles, mobility and energy storage systems including grid-scale storage.
Geography
Headquartered in Sheffield, United Kingdom.
History
AmpliSi was co-founded and spun out of the University of Sheffield with company builder Cambridge Future Tech. In March 2026 it announced a £2m (~$2.7m) pre-seed round led by Northern Gritstone and Clean Growth Fund to move from laboratory development toward industrial scale-up.
Risks & controversies
The company is pre-commercial: performance and cost claims are company-stated, and the technology is transitioning from laboratory development to industrial scale-up, a stage where manufacturing and customer qualification risks remain.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 1
launches, deals, and filingsThe University of Sheffield spin-out raised £2 million (~$2.7 million) in pre-seed funding to move from laboratory development toward industrial scale-up and early customer engagement. The deal was the first investment from Clean Growth Fund's second fund, which completed a £49m first close against a £150m target.
$2.7M source ↗
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Amplisiamplisi.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Amplisi do?
- AmpliSi is a University of Sheffield spin-out making porous silicon anode materials to replace graphite in lithium-ion batteries.
- Who are Amplisi's investors?
- Amplisi's investors include Clean Growth Fund, Northern Gritstone.