• Sorted

  Participated · Equity · Aug 2026

  Sorted Technologies develops a bolt-on, low-cost robotic sorting system combining proprietary computer vision with lightweight retrofit robots delivered under a Robot-as-a-Service model. Its solution is designed to be mounted on existing conveyor lines to automate the last, most labour-intensive stage of sorting without requiring facility redesign or large upfront capital expenditure. The company positions its offering to help smaller and mid-sized material recovery facilities reduce labour costs and increase material recovery rates. Early pilots with major operators such as Suez, Biffa and Bywaters reportedly showed reduced volumes sent to incineration and improvements in workforce efficiency. Sorted is targeting commercial deployment across the United Kingdom and Ireland and is using its recent pre-seed funding to scale production and meet demand. The company emphasizes accessibility for legacy facilities through retrofit delivery and RaaS pricing to lower the capex barrier to automation.

• A&B Smart Materials

  Participated · Seed · Dec 2025

  A&B Smart Materials is an Oxford-based materials science startup engineering fully biodegradable superabsorbent polymers that can slot into existing manufacturing processes for products such as nappies, menstrual pads, and agricultural soil additives. Its technology modifies biopolymers derived from widely available, low-cost natural feedstocks to deliver absorbency performance comparable to synthetic SAPs while eliminating microplastic pollution. The company’s R&D focuses on balancing high absorbency, competitive cost, and industrial-scale validation so that large hygiene and agricultural players can adopt the material without retooling. Management sees a sizeable opportunity in a SAP market expected to reach about $17 billion by 2035 and aims to “completely replace” persistent fossil-based SAPs in high-volume single-use products. The fresh capital strengthens its runway to accelerate lab work, pilot production, and partnership development for commercial trials. To date, the company has raised £1.5 million in external funding, with no operating revenue disclosed yet.

No current team members are available.