About Us
Actuation Lab was founded to rid our industries of outdated hardware, so we can run a more efficient planet. Hear how Actuation Lab is achieving this with a unique engineering ethos from our CEO, Dr Simon Bates.
Our Timeline
2018
- Simon, Tom and Michael build the first Callimorph Actuator prototypes.
2019
- Team wins 12-month business development support from SETsquared accelerator.
- Innovate UK ICURe funding awarded to carry out global market validation.
- Company spins out of the University of Bristol.
- Company wins funded support through the Prodrive Rapid Challenge.
2020
- Innovate UK funding secured to build actuators for flow control applications.
- Company wins place at the Net Zero Technology Centre TechX accelerator and funding.
- Company wins an SBRI Sustainable Innovation Fund contract to develop net-zero flow control hardware.
2021
- Pre-seed investment round closed.
- The company partners with the National Composites Centre and moves on-site.
- Company awarded Innovate UK Edge funding to support company growth.
- Company begins M4R project with the National Physical Laboratory to advance materials for hydrogen flow control.
- Company awarded BEIS Hydrogen Supply 2 contract to develop flow control devices for hydrogen supply networks.
2022
- Company wins a project funded by the West Of England Combined Authority to support the development of low-wear flow devices in food and beverage production.
- Company kicks off a joint project with the Net Zero Technology Centre and the National Manufacturing Institute, Scotland to develop hydrogen control devices.
- Creation of 2 further patentable inventions.
- Company secures investment from Zero Carbon Capital, KERO Group and Evenlode to take 2 products from the lab to commercial trials.
- Partnership with local gas distribution company Wales & West Utilities on a project funded by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero to support the development of efficient hydrogen-ready valves.
- Team size doubled – hiring people who share a passion for our aims.
2023
- Kick off Dragonfly Valve demonstration project with hydrogen supply partners.
- Begin industrial trials of the Callimorph Actuator for net-zero energy supply.
- Move the company to Bristol city centre facility to house growing team of innovators.
2030
- Actuation Lab has a portfolio of IP intensive hardware products installed in multiple essential industries across the globe.