Illumion, a University of Cambridge spinout developing advanced battery imaging technology, has raised £1.7 million in funding.
Illumion is commercialising charge photometry, a novel battery imaging technology that acts like a window into working batteries. Its first product, illumionONE, allows researchers to observe how individual battery particles behave during charge and discharge, providing insights that are difficult to capture with conventional testing methods.
The company is also developing illumionX, a next-generation platform designed to help industrial battery teams translate those insights into faster development cycles and better quality-control decisions.
Foresight Group provided follow-on investment alongside ZEISS Ventures, Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, Parkwalk, Cambridge Angels and YourVC.
The funding round will support Illumion’s continued commercial development, product roadmap, and engagement with customers and partners across the battery ecosystem.
“This funding marks an important next step for Illumion as we translate world-class research into practical tools that accelerate battery innovation and development,” said Christoph Schnedermann, co-founder and CEO of Illumion.
“Charge photometry gives researchers and engineers a new way to understand how battery materials behave in real time, and we are excited to continue developing our technology with the support of Foresight, ZEISS Ventures and our existing investors.”
Andrew Bloxam, partner at Foresight Group, commented: “Illumion has developed a differentiated technology platform addressing an important challenge within battery research and industrial development.
“Since Foresight’s initial investment, the team has made encouraging technical and commercial progress, and the involvement of ZEISS Ventures underlines the strategic relevance of the company’s imaging technology. We are pleased to continue supporting Christoph and the wider team through this next phase of development.”
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Julian Schroth, investment manager at ZEISS Ventures, added: “Battery technology is a key area of innovation, and advanced imaging tools can help researchers and manufacturers gain deeper insights into battery behaviour during development and testing.
“Illumion’s has developed a differentiated approach to battery imaging, and we look forward to supporting the company as it advances its platform and engages with customers across the battery value chain.”
Mills & Reeve advised Illumion on this funding round. The team was led by corporate partner and Head of VC Investments Zickie Lim, who commented: “This investment is an exciting example of the cutting-edge innovation emerging from the UK’s university spinout ecosystem. We were thrilled to support Illumion on this vital funding round which will enable the company to advance its pioneering battery imaging technology and enter its next phase of commercial growth.”
Foresight first invested in Illumion in 2024 through the Foresight Technology EIS and VCT funds. Since then, Foresight has supported the Company through active Board engagement, strategic guidance, investor introductions and support for non-dilutive funding applications, including Illumion’s successful Innovate UK Growth Catalyst grant.
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