Hypetex raises £1.25 million equity investment for colored carbon fiber

U.K. advanced materials and technology firm Hypetex (London, U.K.), a manufacturer of colored carbon fiber, has attracted £1.25 million in new equity investment and welcomes two experienced business leaders as both investors and advisers to the company.

The investment is the latest round of Hypetex’s seed funding, led by 24Haymarket (London), which will support ambitious growth plans and help scale the business’ footprint.  

Hypetex’s technology enables the sustainable colorization of advanced materials while reportedly maintaining and often improving their performance properties. Using a water-based resin system and a low-energy curing process, Hypetex says the finished colored composite materials can be used in a range of products, removing the need for any addition of paint while offering both cost-saving and built-in aesthetic improvements. 

Applications range from consumer electronics, aerospace, yachting and lifestyle products to automotive design and Formula One. Hypetex has been used in a number of successful program recently, demonstrating the benefits of the technology, including projects with Adidas, New Balance and Jaguar Land Rover. 

Hypetex’s manufacturing operation is located in southeastern England. The company is in the process of expanding its product range to include natural fiber products that introduce additional sustainability benefits to the manufacturing of more eco-friendly lightweight products.

As part of the new investment, Neil MacDougall, a highly experienced private equity and angel investor, has been appointed chairman of the Board for Hypetex. He brings with him experience in successfully running a pan-European private equity fund for 15 years and chaired the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association from 2020 to 2021. He is a director of the UK Business Angels Association (London) and a 24Haymarket investor.

Joining him as an advisor to the Board is Nick Rose, whose previous roles include CFO of Diageo plc (London), chairman of Williams Grand Prix (Wantage, U.K.) and board member at BAE Systems (Farborough, U.K.). 

The appointments further strengthen the management structure for the organization. MacDougall and Rose will work alongside CEO Marc Cohen and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Nigel Dunlea as they continue to expand the company’s international footprint. 

“We’re delighted to be working with Marc, Nigel and the rest of the Hypetex team,” James Campin, investment executive of 24Haymarket, says. “Hypetex’s technology drives both performance and sustainability, with applications across a number of different industries and we feel they are expertly placed to take advantage of the growing market opportunity.”