University of Liverpool AI spin-out venture Apoello secures £470,000 cash injection to accelerate commercialisation of its digital platform. Tony McDonough reports
A Liverpool venture that has developed an AI platform to help researchers discover new materials has secured fresh investment.
Apoello is a spin-out from the University of Liverpool. It was formed from materials science discovery expertise within the University’s Department of Chemistry and has now won a cash injection totalling £470,000.
It aims to digitise the materials science process, making it quicker, easier, and more cost-effective for researchers to discover new materials for applications such as organic electronics and renewable energy technologies.
This investment round includes £320,000 from SFC Capital and the British Business Bank, alongside £150,000 from the University of Liverpool. It will support team growth, further platform development and early engagement with industrial partners.
Dr Ömer Omar, chief executive and co-founder of Apoello, and research project coordinator in chemistry at the university, said: “This investment marks an important step in translating world-leading research from the University of Liverpool into a commercial platform with real industrial impact.
“Our goal is to remove inefficiencies from materials discovery and give researchers the tools they need to focus on the most promising candidates.”
Current materials discovery methods rely heavily on physical experimentation, with researchers often spending months testing compounds that ultimately prove unsuitable.
Apoello’s technology builds on the DiaDEM research programme, creating a digital discovery environment that combines large-scale molecular data with advanced computational modelling and procurement capabilities.
By reducing reliance on failed experiments, Apoello aims to significantly shorten development timelines and reduce costs across the sector.
Apoello was formed from the EIC Transition project DiaDEM and is co-founded by Dr Omar and Professor Alessandro Troisi, chair of Theory and Simulation of Materials at the University of Liverpool and a globally recognised expert in computational chemistry.
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Professor Anthony Hollander, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Impact at the University of Liverpool, added: “We are delighted by this investment in Apoello.
“It showcases the strength of the pioneering materials discovery research behind the company and the commercial potential of its technology.
“This spin-out exemplifies our commitment to translating world-class research into real-world impact, supported by strong partnerships with investors and industry.”