Oxford and San Francisco-based deep tech startup Amphiform has raised $5.5 million in pre-seed funding to develop atomically engineered fuel-cell materials for industries facing growing energy constraints. The round was led by General Catalyst and co-led by Main Object, with participation from Embassy Ventures, K5/Tokyo Black, Thomas Wolf, Charlie Songhurst and other angel investors. The announcement places Amphiform at the intersection of AI infrastructure, defence, space and clean energy, where power density and reliable energy supply are becoming strategic priorities.
Funding and Company Focus
Founded in 2026, Amphiform is building a new generation of nano-catalyst energy materials designed to improve how fuel cells generate electricity. The company says today’s fuel cells are limited because much of the expensive catalyst inside them is not fully used during the electrochemical process. Its approach aims to turn more of the material volume into an active surface, potentially improving efficiency while reducing cost.
Technology and Performance Targets
Amphiform’s technology is based on hybrid materials assembled layer by layer at the atomic scale, using precise control over spacing between those layers. The company is targeting fuel cells that are up to 30 times more power-dense and 85 percent cheaper than existing alternatives, although these figures remain company-stated performance goals rather than independently verified commercial results. The materials are also being designed to run on liquid fuels such as methanol and ethanol, which Amphiform says can be produced from biomass or captured carbon dioxide.
Market Need
The company is entering the market as energy demand from AI data centres increases pressure on grids and power infrastructure. Amphiform says data-centre buildout is moving faster than grid expansion in some markets, creating demand for compact, scalable and cleaner power sources. Beyond AI infrastructure, the company is also positioning its technology for space and defence applications, where energy density, weight and resilience are central operating constraints.
Founder and Investor Perspective
Amphiform was founded by Grisha Sheldunov, a 22-year-old Ukrainian National Chemistry Olympiad winner and Oxford quantum chemistry postgraduate with prior experience in major chemistry research environments. General Catalyst Managing Director Yuri Sagalov said the firm was drawn to Amphiform’s materials-led approach to power density and to the founder’s chemistry background. Thomas Wolf, co-founder of Hugging Face, also backed the company and linked the opportunity to rising energy costs in AI models and robotics.
With the new funding, Amphiform is building a research lab in Oxford while operating as a founder-led company connected to the Oxford ecosystem rather than a traditional university spin-out. The company’s early focus on AI data centres gives it a clear first market, while its longer-term ambitions extend to strategic sectors where energy limitations can slow deployment. Its success will depend on whether its atomic-scale materials platform can move from ambitious laboratory targets to reliable, scalable fuel-cell systems.