Led · Equity · Jul 2023

Greyparrot develops AI-powered ‘Analyzer’ camera systems and a data platform that identify material, product and brand on recycling sorting belts in real time, producing the world’s largest waste dataset. Its technology has recorded more than 1 trillion waste detections and is deployed in recycling facilities across more than 20 countries. Customers include recycling operators such as WM, Veolia, Biffa and FCC, and consumer goods companies including Unilever, L’Oréal and Kenvue, which use Greyparrot’s Deepnest platform for packaging performance insights. The company reports that materials identified by its systems represent an estimated $2.5 billion in recoverable value and that facilities using its verified data see 10%–30% efficiency gains, with one site saving more than $2 million in a year. Greyparrot also cites regulatory demand from expanding EPR laws as a growth driver and aims to scale operations to abate over 1 million tons of waste by 2030.

Led · Series C · Jan 2022

Pragmatic Semiconductor develops flexible integrated circuits (FlexICs) that are thinner than a human hair and can be invisibly embedded to add intelligence to everyday objects. Led by CEO David Moore, the company says its FlexIC technology enables novel solutions not possible with conventional electronics. Pragmatic has built a large-scale manufacturing facility, Pragmatic Park, in Durham and is expanding production capacity by adding 3rd and 4th fabrication lines. Over the next five years it anticipates building at least eight manufacturing lines in the UK and creating over 500 highly skilled jobs in the North East and Cambridge. Each line is capable of producing billions of chips for applications across consumer, industrial and healthcare sectors, with use cases including item-level intelligence for smart packaging (to improve reuse and recycling), wearables, sensors and flexible controllers. The company completed a first close of its Series D for £162m ($206m) with a limited second close of £20m ($25m) already allocated, funds intended to accelerate its UK expansion. Pragmatic Semiconductor develops thin-film semiconductors to produce flexible integrated circuits that are thinner than a human hair and manufactured without silicon. Its chips are significantly cheaper and faster to produce than silicon chips and can be embedded into almost anything to add connectivity and intelligence. The technology enables mainstream applications as alternatives to silicon and new applications not possible with silicon. Example uses include RFID and NFC to give objects unique digital identities and enable interaction with their environment. Led by CEO Scott White, the company plans to use new capital to accelerate and expand its growth plans. The company is based in Cambridge, UK. PragmatIC Semiconductor is a UK-based developer of ultra low-cost flexible integrated circuits. Its ConnectIC family of RFID and NFC integrated chips can be embedded into packaging to store and relay information to devices such as smartphones. The technology enables smart packaging applications across the product lifecycle, including manufacturing, supply chain management, consumer engagement, and material recovery. PragmatIC positions its products as operating beyond the scope of conventional electronics and targeted at packaging integration. The company is pursuing partnerships to integrate its flexible ICs into more sustainable packaging solutions, highlighted by a strategic investment from Amcor. At the time of the investment, PragmatIC was in the midst of a Series C funding round totaling more than USD$90 million, into which Amcor committed USD$5 million. PragmatIC Semiconductor designs and manufactures ultra-low-cost flexible integrated circuits (FlexICs) and runs a FlexIC Foundry service for application-specific flexible devices. Its ConnectIC product line targets mass-market RFID/NFC and other Internet of Everything use cases, and the company demonstrated flexible microprocessors including a 6502 and PlasticArm. PragmatIC produces FlexICs on its FlexLogIC production system, which it says delivers high-volume production with orders-of-magnitude lower capex and operating cost compared with traditional silicon fabs and a minimal carbon footprint. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with manufacturing operations in the North East of England. PragmatIC plans to scale capacity via a second FlexLogIC fab (FlexLogIC-002) and to roll out a distributed global network offering Fab-as-a-Service for dedicated on-site production. The business says this expansion will support its commercial ramp and enable mass deployment of smart items at very low cost. PragmatIC Printing develops and manufactures flexible integrated circuits (flexICs) designed to fit into existing supply chains. Its flexICs target applications such as intelligent packaging for fast-moving consumer goods and wireless traceability of documents for security and identification. Customers include large multinational companies across consumer goods, packaging, security printing and mainstream electronics. The company operates a production facility at the National Centre for Printable Electronics in Sedgefield. Led by CEO Scott White, PragmatIC plans to accelerate development and commercialization of its flexIC technology. The article reports a new £18m funding round to support these efforts.