Apheros raises $1.85M for metal foam cooling tech

Swiss deeptech deep tech startup Apheros today announced a $1.85 million funding round.

Data centres 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 centres. A shift from traditional cooling methods to more cost- and energy-efficient liquid-based solutions is inevitable. 

Founded in August 2023 and spun out of ETH Zurich, Apheros has developed metal foam technology in response to this pressing industry challenge.

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 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 Centres. 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.

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.”

Gaëlle Andreatta, co-founder and CTO of Apheros, added:

"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 pre-seed funding round, led by venture capital firm Founderful, will accelerate development and deployment of Apheros' revolutionary metal foam-based cooling solutions.

Lukas Weder, founding partner at Founderful, commented: 

“We are excited to support Apheros’ mission to revolutionise cooling technology. Apheros' groundbreaking approach has the potential to reduce energy consumption significantly and set new industry standards."

Lead image: Apheros. Photo: uncredited.