Delft-based startup VSParticle (VSP), which specializes in nanoparticle synthesis and deposition tools, has successfully raised €6.5 million in an A2 extension funding round. The round was led by NordicNinja and Plural, with participation from existing investor Hermann Hauser Investment, bringing VSP’s total funding to €24.5 million.
VSParticle’s cutting-edge technology enables the breakdown of materials to nanoparticle sizes, dramatically speeding up the discovery of new materials. This innovative approach reduces the traditional 10-year timeline for material discovery to just one year, significantly accelerating the development of next-generation products.
With this new funding, VSP plans to enhance its technology, enabling the creation of next-generation printers with output up to 100 times higher. The company also aims to expand its market presence in Japan, as well as further grow its operations in the US and Europe.
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CEO’s Vision for a Sustainable Future
Aaike van Vugt, co-founder and CEO of VSParticle, highlighted the company’s mission: “Our technology empowers researchers and commercial R&D teams globally to create new materials that will transform the production of green hydrogen and reduce emissions in carbon-intensive industries. We’re excited about our role in addressing the climate crisis and are grateful for the support of NordicNinja and Plural as we expand our reach to more research teams worldwide, including in Japan.”
Driving Material Innovation and Sustainability
Founded in 2014, VSParticle aims to accelerate material development to power the next generation of products and drive large-scale innovation. The company’s technology integrates all stages of material innovation—from lab experimentation to production process optimization and scaling for mass production.
Researchers and R&D teams in Europe, China, India, and the US use VSP’s technology to develop advanced gas sensors and catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) for green hydrogen production. VSP is committed to achieving a century’s worth of material innovation within a decade, addressing the climate crisis, and fostering a sustainable future.
Expanding Global Impact
Over the past year, VSP has shipped its flagship product, the VSP-P1 Nanoprinter, to research teams across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, including prestigious institutions like Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. These teams are using the nanoprinter to accelerate the development of innovative industrial solutions.
VSParticle’s technology is particularly crucial for mass-producing catalyst-coated Porous Transport Layers (PTLs), essential components in electrolyzers for green hydrogen production. This process, vital for reducing fossil fuel dependence, currently relies on scarce resources such as platinum and iridium. VSP’s printers enable the development of new material combinations for PTLs, potentially achieving a tenfold reduction in the use of these metals and facilitating faster and more cost-effective product introductions.
By 2027, components developed with VSP’s technology are expected to hit the market, supporting global net-zero goals. According to the IEA, 306 million tonnes of green hydrogen will be needed annually to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with the EU and Japan prioritizing this clean energy source.
Support from Leading Investors
London-based NordicNinja is a venture capital fund focused on deep tech, climate tech, and digital society solutions. Speaking on the investment, Rainer Sternfeld, Partner at NordicNinja, said, “VSParticle’s technology is revolutionizing material innovation. We are thrilled to support VSP’s team in this extension round, particularly with their expansion plans in Japan, which will drive the scale-up of green hydrogen development.”
Plural, an early-stage investment fund based in Tallinn and London, also emphasized the importance of material discovery. Sten Tamkivi, Partner at Plural, remarked, “VSParticle is the only company driving discovery at the critical early stages, enabling AI-driven automation of material discovery. We are excited to work closely with Aaike and the team as they continue to expand.”
With this significant investment, VSParticle is poised to accelerate the development of sustainable materials, driving innovation and supporting the global transition to a greener future.
