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Actuation Lab was founded to rid our industries of outdated hardware, so we can run a more efficient planet.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.