Success Stories

Back to success stories list.

IMPT Ltd

IMPT Ltd is a spin-out company from Imperial College London that has developed a new patented coating process, known as ESAVD (Electrostatic Spray Assisted Vapour Desposition), which produces high quality thick and thin film coatings at very low cost for use on a wide range of products in the gas turbine engine industry, as well as for biomedical and fuel cell applications.

In July 2004, IMPT raised £300,000, as part of a larger funding round, with the help of Oxfordshire Investment Opportunity Network (OION), Europe’s leading business angel network. IMPT was also awarded a prestigious DTI Grant for R&D of £200,000. The funding will enable IMPT to develop its innovative and cost-effective coating process for materials ranging from gas turbines to hip implants, fuel cells, sensors and glass.

Mr Jeff Lyons, Chief Executive Officer of IMPT, explained:

“Our ESAVD coating process can generate massive cost savings over existing processes, and has been tested and verified by leading players in our target industry sectors. ESAVD is operated in the open air at low temperatures, eliminating the need for expensive equipment, such as high-vacuum chambers. Some high-vacuum based systems can cost as much as $25 million. ESAVD is also a highly efficient and environmentally friendly process. ESAVD could revolutionise biomedical devices, such as hip implants, as it can completely cover implants with a long lasting protective film so patients will not require replacement surgery as frequently as with current implants.”

Mr Jeff Lyons, Chief Executive Officer of IMPT, explained:

“The OION Network promptly arranged for us to present to investors at one of their regular meetings, which brought us the vital capital we needed as well as useful contacts. The new investment raised through the OION Network will allow us to develop a demonstration machine, which could lead to machine orders and licensing opportunities for our ESAVD process.”

Dr Jon Cox, Manager of Oxfordshire Investment Opportunity Network, said:

“We congratulate IMPT on their successful fundraising. On this occasion, we matched IMPT with Lacomp, one of several EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) fund members of the OION Network. IMPT’s novel coatings technology offered a very attractive investment opportunity as it has such huge potential for applications across a range of industries. OION brokers deals for innovative technology businesses across the UK. Many are university spin-out companies like IMPT, and OION is uniquely positioned to help them.”

IMPT is based in BioCity Nottingham, the UK’s largest bioscience and healthcare innovation centre in the heart of the East Midlands.

Dr Glenn Crocker, Chief Executive of BioCity Nottingham, said:

“IMPT was one of the first companies to move into BioCity, and we are delighted that they are thriving here. BioCity aims to provide bioscience start-ups with the infrastructure and services they need to grow into substantial enterprises. This includes access to finance through technology investment networks such as OION.”

Website: www.imptl.com