Breathe raises £16M to Accelerate Battery Technology Innovation
May 9, 2025
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Breathe funding has made headlines with the recent £16 million Series B round, propelling Breathe Battery Technologies into a new era of growth and innovation. The London-based company is recognised for its physics-based battery software, which is now expanding from embedded solutions to a full suite of simulation software, embedded software, and battery services. This transformation aims to support the entire battery development journey, from design and validation to optimisation, for manufacturers and engineers worldwide.
The latest Breathe funding round welcomed new investor Kinnevik AB, joining existing backers Lowercarbon Capital and Volvo Cars Tech Fund. This capital injection will accelerate Breathe’s expansion, enhance its software capabilities, and more than double the size of its London laboratory, making it the city’s largest battery testing facility. The company’s CEO, Dr. Ian Campbell, stated, “Breathe has evolved to become a leading company in battery technology, with the funding and infrastructure to match our ambition and deliver a major impact on battery innovation.” He emphasised the need for transformative technology, saying, “The industry can no longer afford incremental progress, it needs transformative technology that makes batteries fundamentally better.”
Breathe funding is also fueling the launch of three new products: Breathe Model, Breathe Map, and Breathe Design. Breathe Model is an advanced cell simulation tool that leverages physics-based electrochemical and thermal dynamics, enabling developers to gain insights beyond traditional empirical testing. Breathe Map is a performance mapping service that reveals the true capabilities and limitations of batteries under various conditions. Breathe Design, set to launch soon, will offer engineers system-level knowledge to create more efficient and cost-effective battery systems.
The impact of Breathe funding extends into real-world applications. Volvo Cars has partnered with Breathe to integrate its algorithm-enabled charging software into the next generation of fully electric vehicles. This software can reduce charging times from 10% to 80% state of charge by up to 30%, all while maintaining energy density and range. Ann-Sofie Ekberg, CEO of Volvo Cars Tech Fund, said, “Charging isn’t just about being fast or slow anymore, it’s about delivering a consistent experience that makes EV ownership effortless for customers. Breathe’s technology enables us to optimise charging across a wide spectrum of real-world conditions, improving speed and consistency while protecting battery health.”
Breathe funding is not just about expanding product offerings; it’s about accelerating the transition to better batteries for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and beyond. Investors like Sam Marsden at Kinnevik AB recognise the importance of battery performance, noting, “Battery performance continues to be a driver of poor user experience and lower adoption within the electric vehicle and consumer electronics markets. As evidenced by the company’s partnerships with the likes of Volvo Cars and Oppo, a growing number of manufacturers are realising that Breathe’s technology is fundamental to not only solving this critical problem, but also influencing battery system development earlier to avoid unwanted risks or avoidable performance gaps.”
Founded in 2019 as a spin-out from Imperial College, Breathe has rapidly established itself as a leader in battery management software. The new Breathe funding will help the company scale its team, expand its research and development capabilities, and push battery performance further. The expanded London laboratory will provide the infrastructure needed to test and validate new battery technologies at scale, supporting innovation across the industry.
With its latest funding round, Breathe Battery Technologies is poised to deliver significant advances in battery innovation, supporting the global shift towards electrification and sustainable energy solutions