Liverpool AM startup secures £0.7 million-plus in a year
26 May 2025
Liverpool-based advanced manufacturing startup Atomik-AM has secured financial aid of £0.6 million from SME backer Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund ll (NPIF II).
The investment, which comes from NPIF II’s NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance fund managed by Praetura Ventures, follows investment this year of £125,000 from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority-backed LYVA Labs.
It will be used to enable the firm to expand its workforce in the city by 40% and seek larger premises in order to scale up its operation.
Founded by University of Liverpool professor of manufacturing Kate Black, the firm specialises in the creation of materials and technology patenting.
It is currently patenting products including its Universal Binder adhesive for 3D printing and has developed a process for converting aluminium metal waste into durable applications.
Since it began operation in October 2022, the company has collaborated with multinational firms including Unilever and Ricoh, and seen its workforce expand to 10 staff.
Funder NPIFII gives loans from £25k to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million to small and medium sized businesses in the north of England.
Pic: (l to r) Laurence Tan, investment associate at Praetura Ventures; Louise Chapman, NPIF II Fund Principal at Praetura Ventures; Kate Black, founder and CEO of Atomik-AM; Camilla Greenwood, investment director at Praetura Ventures.
