Composite Braiding raises £169.5k at £4.9m valuation for automated manufacturing

Automated manufacturing specialist Composite Braiding Limited has raised an estimated £169.5k in its latest funding round, reaching a post-money valuation of £4.9m. The Nottingham-based company manufactures advanced composite components using an automated braiding process to produce lightweight and sustainable products. Its technology serves multiple industries, including automotive, rail, maritime, civils, and sports equipment.

Founded in 2016, the business focuses on making advanced composite manufacturing cost-effective and scalable. Its automated process is designed to reduce labour costs by up to 90% and waste by 97% compared to traditional methods. The company produces components such as antimicrobial grab poles for public transport and lightweight cantilevers for railway infrastructure. These products use a thermoplastic matrix braided with carbon fibre, glass fibre, or basalt, resulting in materials that are 70% lighter than steel while maintaining similar strength.

The latest accounts for the year ended 28 February 2025 show the company employs 11 people. Composite Braiding operates from facilities in the Midlands, with its headquarters listed in Derby on professional networks. The company provides end-product manufacturing, pre-form braiding, and licensing services, with the capacity to produce 100,000 parts per year.

This funding round (allotted in February and filed in May) follows a £499.7k raise in July 2024 which valued the company at £4.8m. The valuation has seen consistent growth over recent years. In May 2024, the company raised £97.5k at a £4.3m valuation, and in November 2023, it secured £505.5k at a £4.2m valuation. Previous rounds include a £170.2k investment in August 2023 at a £3.7m valuation and a £186.2k raise in September 2022 at a £2.7m valuation. An earlier round in January 2020 raised £503.5k at a £4.5m valuation.

The use of thermoplastic materials allows the company to offer recyclable products, supporting de-carbonisation efforts across the lifecycles of the components it manufactures. Its energy-efficient processes are designed to provide a sustainable alternative to traditional heavy industrial manufacturing.