Mater-AI
Category: AI in Climate / Energy
Physics-based AI platform using quantum algorithms to discover efficient organic thermoelectric materials that convert waste heat into electricity Mater-AI was founded in 2023. The company is led by Nickel Blankevoort. Based in London, United Kingdom. Team size: 1-10. Total funding raised: £1.78M. Latest round: Grant. Key investors include Twin Path Ventures, Mishcon de Reya, One Planet Capital, XTX Ventures, Conception X Angel Syndicate, Koro Capital, Tailored Solutions.
- Founded
- 2023
- Headquarters
- London, United Kingdom
- Team size
- 1-10
- Total funding
- £1.78M
Value proposition
Accelerates materials discovery 438x faster (decades to minutes), targeting $152B market with efficient, non-toxic organic thermoelectrics
Products and solutions
PLANET (Physics-Led AI Novel Engine for Thermoelectrics), AI discovery engine for novel thermoelectric materials, Physics-informed materials modeling platform, Quantum-enhanced algorithms for materials screening
Unique value
Physics-informed AI + quantum algorithms targeting overlooked organic thermoelectrics; generates novel structures with desired properties rapidly. Materials more efficient than industry gold standard while being non-toxic
Target customer
Data centers, automotive manufacturers, defense companies needing waste heat recovery solutions
Industries served
Energy/Climate Tech, Data Centers, Automotive, Defense, Industrial Systems, IoT Applications, Quantum Computing / Hardware Thermal Management
Technology advantage
Integrates computational materials science expertise with AI/quantum tech for 100x faster discovery; validated via lab synthesis with world-class partners. Platform evaluates 100 material structures per hour vs. 3 per year traditionally
How they differentiate
Mater-AI specializes in physics-informed AI and quantum algorithms for discovering efficient organic thermoelectric materials for waste heat conversion, achieving 438x faster discovery. Competitors focus on broader AI materials optimization, autonomous labs, or energy storage materials
Main competitors
Citrine Informatics, Kebotix, PhaseTree
Key partnerships
University of Cambridge, Henry Royce Institute, Imperial College London, Innovate UK, UKRI / Isambard-AI (BriCS), Google for Startups
Notable customers
University of Cambridge (lab synthesis/testing), Henry Royce Institute, Imperial College London
Major milestones
Founded 2023 (MATER-AI LIMITED incorporated 26 Sep 2023), Raised £1.5M pre-seed Dec 2025 (Twin Path Ventures), £2.25M Isambard-AI compute (500k GPU hours) via UK AI for Science, Feb 2026, Named in Barclays AI:100, May 2026, IOP qBIG Prize 2026 runner-up (cryogenic thermoelectrics for quantum hardware), Jun 2026, £130k Henry Royce ICP6 lab-validation grant, Jun 2026, £150k Innovate UK AI Champions Frontier AI Phase 1 for PLANET, Aug 2026, Attending a16z TechWeek 2026 San Francisco
Growth metrics
Pre-revenue deeptech; ~8 employees (Tracxn Jun 2026); PLANET engine + lab validation with Cambridge/Royce/Imperial; £130k ICP6 lab synthesis/test underway from Jul 2026; 500k GPU hours on Isambard-AI; hiring Founders Associate (London hybrid)
Market positioning
Early-stage pioneer in AI-driven thermoelectric materials discovery, targeting the $152B waste heat recovery market with scalable, non-toxic alternatives to 1950s-era bismuth telluride
Geographic focus
UK-based with global ambitions in data centers (US/EU), automotive, defense, and industrial sectors
Patents and IP
No public patents or IP disclosed as of August 2026
About Nickel Blankevoort
PhD in computational materials science from University of Warwick, specializing in theoretical modelling of quantum nanoelectronics and thermoelectrics. Discovered three new material structures during PhD using traditional methods. Former Metrology Engineer at ASML. Participated in Entrepreneur First program before co-founding Mater-AI.
Latest news about Mater-AI
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Official website: https://mater-ai.com/