Lancaster battery spin-out Gavion joins Northern Gritstone accelerator as it starts raise
What's the deal? GavionDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a Lancaster University spin-out using carbon technology to improve battery performance, has become the first company from the university selected for Northern GritstoneDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →'s NG Studios growth programme. The move marks the start of its investment round.
What's the endgame? Gavion is built on research by co-founder Professor Abbie Trewin into Organically Synthesised Porous Carbon (OSPC), a novel carbon allotrope designed to eliminate lithium plating in batteries and improve performance, safety, and longevity. The 12-week programme aims to help spinouts sharpen their commercial case and prepare for seed investment.
Why now? The selection comes as the company engages with investors and prepares for its next phase of commercial growth. NG Studios, delivered with Deeptech LabsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, helps spinouts refine their value propositions and target markets.
What's on offer? "Through NG Studios, we'll work closely with them to help develop their commercial strategy, build Seed investor readiness and connect them with our network of investors, industry partners and experienced operators," said Tom Kaye, investment manager at Northern Gritstone.
What could go wrong? Participation signals investor readiness, not funding or commercial traction. About one-third of 33 NG Studios graduates have gone on to raise substantial seed rounds — leaving most that have not. Gavion's porous-carbon approach still needs validation from investors and battery-industry partners.
Jessica Wenmouth, head of research commercialisation at Lancaster University, called Gavion's inclusion "particularly significant," noting the university's spin-outs have historically had limited engagement with Northern Gritstone.
The signal: The wider battery-materials market is drawing far larger, scale-up capital — UK firm Nexeon recently closed a £100 million round, including £52.6 million from the National Wealth FundDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, for its silicon-anode technology and a UK pilot facility. Gavion sits at the earlier end of that pipeline, where the test is whether promising university research can move toward commercial validation.
Read more: lancaster.ac.uk
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