Amped PCR secures £535k to scale mobile DNA testing platform
The funding round was backed by the Development Bank of Wales and SFC Capital.
Amped PCR develops portable DNA testing systems that integrate artificial intelligence for pathogen detection outside traditional laboratories.
Amped PCR has secured £535k in equity funding led by the Development Bank of Wales and SFC Capital. The capital will support the commercial rollout of the company's modular PurifAI DNA testing system and its proprietary reagent.
The Powys-based start-up has developed a deployable platform that embeds artificial intelligence and advanced automation into polymerase chain reaction workflows. This allows non-specialist operators to conduct rapid pathogen screening on site in environments such as food production facilities and water monitoring stations.
The investment comprises £350k from the Development Bank's Tech Seed Fund alongside £185k from London-based SFC Capital. Founders Ben Davis and Aysha Shah intend to scale operations and expand market access for the technology.
From the founder
"We want to improve the user experience so that using this technology feels as intuitive as using a smartphone. Pretty much everyone has a smartphone these days and the technology underpinning them is very sophisticated, but the end user in most cases does not need to know how that all works – it just works. PurifAI is about putting cutting-edge testing power directly into the hands of users, wherever they are and whatever their DNA question may be."
Ben Davis
Founder at Amped PCR
Investor perspective
"It was a pleasure to work with Ben and Aysha at Amped PCR as they looked to start up and bring their reagent to a wider market. The potential uses of their product are huge and it’s fantastic to see a small Welsh company coming up with what could be a revolutionary solution in so many fields of DNA testing."
Linzi Plant
Assistant Investment Executive, Development Bank of Wales
Use of funds
- 01Expand into international markets
- 02Accelerate go-to-market
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