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: 5. Total funding raised: £1.5M. Latest round: Pre-Seed. 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
- 5
- Total funding
- £1.5M
Value proposition
Accelerates materials discovery 438x faster (decades to minutes), targeting $152B market with efficient, non-toxic organic thermoelectrics
Products and solutions
["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"]
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"]
Notable customers
["University of Cambridge (lab synthesis/testing)","Henry Royce Institute","Imperial College London"]
Major milestones
["Founded 2023","Raised £1.5M seed Dec 2025","Developed AI platform 438x faster than traditional R&D","CEO discovered 3 new structures during PhD","Upcoming: TRL 4-5 lab validation of first AI materials"]
Growth metrics
Pre-revenue; team of 5; platform generates/evaluates 100 material structures/hour vs. 3/year traditionally; targeting TRL 4-5 validation within 6-8 weeks from Dec 2025
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 December 2025
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.
Official website: https://mater-ai.com/