Female-led Swiss Deep Tech start-up Apheros secures $1.85M to cool down data centers, using high performance cooling systems
19 Agosto 2024 - 7:30AM
Data centers are the backbone of the digital age, with
unprecedented demand for digital infrastructure driven by the surge
in the use of AI, machine learning, and supercomputing. However,
their energy consumption is skyrocketing. By 2030, an estimated six
percent of global energy consumption will be used specifically for
cooling data centers. A shift from traditional cooling methods to
more cost- and energy efficient liquid-based solutions is
inevitable. Enabling this transition, deep tech startup Apheros is
today announcing a $1.85m funding round seizing this critical
moment to introduce its innovative metal foam technology, offering
a superior solution to this pressing industry challenge.
The pre-seed funding round, led by venture capital firm
Founderful, will accelerate development and deployment of Apheros'
revolutionary metal foam-based cooling solutions.
Apheros founders: Dr Gaëlle Andreatta and Dr Julia
Carpenter
The Apheros patented manufacturing process creates unique foam
structures with completely open porosity and unparalleled surface
area, surpassing traditional solutions by a factor of thousand,
which translates into exceptional heat transfer and flow
properties. Ideal for high performance cooling applications,
Apheros’ metal foams are easily integrated within its customers’
existing cooling systems. They address customers’ urgent needs of
reduced energy consumption and cooling costs.
Apheros AG, founded in August 2023, was developed as an ETH
Zurich spin-off to tackle cooling challenges in a wide range of
applications including high-performance computing and mobile
devices. Apheros is led by a team with a proven track record in
innovation, business development and tech transfer. Apheros’
co-founder and CEO Julia Carpenter was recently named one of
Switzerland's Top 10 “Founders to Watch” for her invention of
Apheros novel metal foam manufacturing process. Co-founder and CTO
Gaëlle Andreatta, has over 16 years of experience in R&D, Tech
Transfer, and start-up development.
Julia Carpenter, co-founder and CEO of Apheros
commented: "Our technology has the potential to set new industry
standards and significantly reduce the environmental impact of
cooling solutions worldwide. This funding round will allow us to
advance our mission of helping our customers achieve superior
thermal performance, increase energy efficiency, and contribute to
a greener future. Immediately, we will expand production, increase
research and development efforts, and bring state-of-the-art
solutions to a broader market.”
Apheros currently targets the thermal management market with a
focus on liquid cooling, a segment expanding at a fast pace due to
the needs created by the growing demand for High Performance
Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers. More
efficient cooling systems are needed to overcome current energy
shortages and to reach ambitious climate protection goals. There is
a pressing need to introduce higher performing cooling solutions to
the market.
Gaëlle Andreatta, co-founder and CTO of Apheros
added: “There is a dire need for more efficient cooling solutions.
AI development is driving exponential growth in data center energy
consumption and inefficient cooling is the main culprit. Our unique
metal foams have superior heat exchange and fluid transport
properties, especially for liquid and two-phase cooling. With our
customers, we are redefining thermal management. "
The Apheros team
Apheros’ vision is to catalyze the transition to a more
sustainable future through materials innovation. Apheros will
redefine sustainable, high-performance liquid cooling and establish
its products as the gold standard for sustainable, high-performance
liquid cooling.
Lukas Weder, founding partner at Founderful
commented: “We are excited to support Apheros’ mission to
revolutionize cooling technology. Apheros' groundbreaking approach
has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption and
set new industry standards. We are confident in the team's vision
and capabilities and look forward to seeing the positive impact
they will make on both the industry and the environment "
Ends
Notes to the editorMedia images can be found
here.
About ApherosHeadquartered in Zurich,
Switzerland, Apheros AG was founded in 2023 to produce innovative
metal foams for cooling applications. Its patented, scalable
manufacturing processes create metal foams with unprecedented
properties due to their extremely high surface area and low
density. To learn more, please visit www.apheros.ch
About FounderfulFounderful is Switzerland's
leading pre-seed fund, backing founder teams building tech
companies with the potential to become global market leaders.
Founderful has a track record of supporting exceptional founders in
creating breakthrough companies and has the passionate conviction
that the Swiss startup ecosystem is just starting to write its best
success stories.
For further information please contact the Apheros press office: Bilal Mahmood on b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com or +44 (0) 771 400 7257.