Swiss deep tech start-up Apheros has raised $1.85 million in a pre-seed funding round led by venture capital firm Founderful. The company, which specialises in thermal management solutions, aims to address the energy consumption challenges in data centres through its metal foam technology.
The growth of digital infrastructure, driven by the increasing use of AI, machine learning, and supercomputing, has led to a significant rise in energy consumption by data centres. By 2030, it is estimated that six per cent of global energy consumption will be used specifically for cooling these facilities. Apheros said it is developing cooling systems designed to maximise heat dissipation and optimise fluid flow, potentially reducing energy consumption.
Apheros’ technology is based on a patented manufacturing process that creates metal foam structures with open porosity and a surface area significantly larger than traditional solutions. These properties result in enhanced heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics. Julia Carpenter, Apheros’ co-founder and CEO, said, “Our technology has the potential to set new industry standards and significantly reduce the environmental impact of cooling solutions worldwide.”
Founded in August 2023 as a spin-off from ETH Zurich, Apheros is led by a team with experience in innovation, business development, and technology transfer. Carpenter, recently named one of Switzerland’s Top 10 “Founders to Watch” for her invention of the metal foam manufacturing process, is joined by co-founder and CTO Gaëlle Andreatta, who has over 16 years of experience in R&D and start-up development.
The funding will support the further development and deployment of Apheros’ cooling solutions. Carpenter stated that the investment will allow the company to “expand production, increase research and development efforts, and bring state-of-the-art solutions to a broader market.”
Apheros is targeting the thermal management market, particularly liquid cooling, which is becoming increasingly important due to the energy demands of high-performance computing and data centres. Andreatta commented, “There is a dire need for more efficient cooling solutions. AI development is driving exponential growth in data centre 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.”
Lukas Weder, founding partner at Founderful, expressed support for Apheros’ approach, stating, “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.”
With the new funding, Apheros said it aims to further its mission of advancing thermal management and contributing to a more sustainable future through innovative materials and technologies. The company intends to establish its products as a leading option for sustainable, high-performance liquid cooling in the industry.
