Zurich, August 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Data centers are the backbone of the digital age. The need for digital infrastructure is unprecedented due to the increasing use of AI, machine learning and supercomputing. However, their energy consumption is exploding. By 2030, an estimated six percent of global energy consumption will be used specifically for cooling data centers. A move away from traditional cooling methods towards more cost- and energy-efficient liquid-based solutions is inevitable. The deep-tech startup Aphrodite today announces a $1.85 million funding round and is using this pivotal moment to showcase its innovative metal foam technology that provides a superior solution to this pressing industry challenge.

The pre-seed funding round, led by venture capital firm Founderful, is designed to accelerate the development and launch of Apheros’ revolutionary metal foam-based cooling solutions.

Apheros founders: Dr. Gaëlle Andreatta and Dr. Julia Carpenter

Apheros’ patented manufacturing process produces unique foam structures with completely open porosity and unprecedented surface area that outperform conventional solutions by a factor of a thousand, resulting in exceptional heat transfer and flow properties. Apheros’ metal foams are ideal for high performance cooling applications and can be easily integrated into customers’ existing cooling systems, meeting customers’ pressing needs for reduced energy consumption and reduced cooling costs.

Founded in August 2023, Apheros AG was developed as a spin-off from ETH Zurich to address cooling challenges in a wide range of applications, including high-performance computing and mobile devices. Apheros is led by a team with a proven track record in innovation, business development and technology transfer. Apheros’ co-founder and CEO Julia Carpenter was recently named one of Switzerland’s top 10 “Founders to Watch” for her invention of Apheros’ novel metal foam manufacturing process. Co-founder and CTO Gaëlle Andreatta has over 16 years of experience in R&D, technology transfer and start-up development.

Julia Carpenter, co-founder and CEO of Apheros commented: “Our technology has the potential to set new industry standards and significantly reduce the environmental impact of cooling solutions worldwide. This round of financing will enable us to advance our mission to help our customers achieve superior thermal performance, increase energy efficiency and contribute to a greener future. We will immediately expand production, increase research and development efforts and bring cutting-edge solutions to a broader market.”

Apheros is currently focusing on the thermal management market with a focus on liquid cooling, a segment that is growing rapidly due to the increasing demand for high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and data centers. To overcome the current energy shortage and achieve ambitious climate protection goals, more efficient cooling systems are required. There is an urgent need to bring more powerful cooling solutions to the market.

Gaëlle Andreatta, co-founder and CTO of Apheros added: “There is an urgent need for more efficient cooling solutions. AI development is driving data center energy consumption exponentially and inefficient cooling is the main culprit. Our unique metal foams have excellent heat exchange and fluid transport properties, especially for liquid and two-phase cooling. Together with our customers, we are redefining thermal management.”

The Apheros team

Apheros’ vision is to drive the transition to a more sustainable future through material innovation. Apheros will redefine sustainable high-performance liquid cooling and establish its products as the gold standard for sustainable high-performance liquid cooling.

Lukas Weder, founding partner at Founderful commented: “We are excited to support Apheros’ mission to revolutionize cooling technology. Apheros’ groundbreaking approach has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption and set new industry standards. We are confident in the team’s vision and capabilities and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on both the industry and the environment.”

End

Notes for editors
Media images can be found here.

About Apheros
Apheros AG, based in Zurich, Switzerland, was founded in 2023 to produce innovative metal foams for cooling applications. Their patented, scalable manufacturing processes produce metal foams with unprecedented properties due to their extremely high surface area and low density. For more information, visit www.apheros.ch

About Founderful
Founderful is Switzerland’s leading pre-seed fund, supporting founding teams in building technology companies with the potential to become global market leaders. Founderful has a track record of supporting exceptional founders in launching groundbreaking companies and firmly believes that the Swiss startup ecosystem is just beginning to write its best success stories.