Stirling-based nanomaterial producer iGii, formerly known as Integrated Graphene, has announced £8.8 million in new funding to accelerate growth.
The funding round was led by a £4 million injection from the Scottish National Investment Bank, with a further £4.8 million coming from existing iGii shareholders Archangel Investors and Par Equity, both of which first invested in the business in 2020.
iGii will use the funds to accelerate customer projects, increase its manufacturing capacity, and deepen its research and development to explore further applications of its patented Gii material.
iGii plans to expand its facilities and continue to create highly skilled local jobs.
The investment follows Jean-Christophe Granier joining the business as CEO in September 2023 to enhance its commercial performance.
iGii’s patented innovation, Gii, is a 3D foam made from carbon atoms. It combines the desirable physical properties of graphene, such as sensitivity, flexibility and conductivity, without its scale-up and mass application challenges.
The cash injection will help iGii scale manufacturing of Gii-Sens, its highly sensitive and accurate component for point-of-care diagnostic sensors.
This application of Gii is experiencing strong demand globally due to its ability to deliver precise, laboratory-level results for a range of illnesses and indicators of illness, including cancers, pathogens, liver and heart failure.
A recent collaboration with the University of Bath used Gii-Sens to underpin a new battery-free sensor for testing lactic acid in athletes, opening up the possibility for an easy-to-use sensor that is available in remote locations – such as an athletics track – without the need for electricity-powered sensing equipment.
The company will also deepen its R&D into other applications of Gii, targeting improved performance for water and food quality sensors, agricultural sensors, and battery storage.
iGii CEO Jean-Christophe Granier said: “We are laser-focused on bringing our revolutionary Gii technology to markets, with immediate and significant opportunities in the healthcare sector.
“This additional funding will enable us to accelerate ongoing customer projects and invest in our reel-to-reel manufacturing capabilities to deliver commercial quantities of Gii worldwide for our customers …
“We are thrilled the Scottish National Investment Bank is supporting our ambitious growth plans and helping us export true Scottish innovation to the world. Together with our existing investors, we are transforming customers’ product performance and delivering life-changing benefits for people and our planet.”
Gii is also an environmentally sustainable material as it is manufactured using a proven low-energy and chemical-free process, producing minimal waste and making the material more cost effective than traditional sensing materials, such as gold.
Alastair McMillen, Associate Director, Sustainable Investment, Scottish National Investment Bank, said: “We are excited by the growth and impact potential of iGii, and we are pleased to be invested in the company’s future, which includes scaling its products for a global market and bringing more skilled jobs to Stirling.
“The company’s patented technology exemplifies cutting-edge advancements in nanomaterials, and aligns to our mission to drive innovation, helping to grow our economy and make it more competitive.”
Archangels Joint MD Niki McKenzie said: “Partnering with our co-investors, Archangels is looking forward to supporting JC and his team on this next phase of growth.
“As an ambitious Scottish tech company with significant global opportunities, iGii is a great example of the type of business we invest in to drive long-term growth. Having scaled up its manufacturing capabilities, and with this funding secured, iGii now has the platform to realise its growth ambitions.”