Why we invested: minimass™

Sustainable Ventures has announced our latest investment from our 6th fund into minimass™ , a design and engineering solution for large-scale construction - a patented suite of low-cost and low-carbon 3D-printed alternatives to conventional structural elements, such as beams, frames & floor slabs. 

Their flagship product, the minimass™ beam, is designed as a like-for-like replacement to traditional steel or concrete beams, providing equivalent performance while vastly reducing CO2 emissions by up to 70% and supply cost by up to 35%. This is enabled by using existing 3D concrete printing in an innovative way, resulting in a vast reduction in the mass of material required. minimass™ uses the right material in the right place for the right purpose - concrete in compression and steel in tension, offering a sustainable and fully code-compliant alternative, without compromising on the familiar installation processes.

The minimass™ beam is designed to adhere to the Eurocodes (design codes & standards) and is applicable for use in several construction scenarios including bridges and most large buildings (commercial, industrial, education etc). Its environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness have already attracted interest from key industry players, and projects are in discussion with over 20 contractors, developers and engineering firms.

minimass™ is also developing other products, including continuous beams, reinforced columns, and floor slabs. The company’s products are protected by multiple patents, ensuring a strong intellectual property position and competitive advantage in the market.

The first minimass™ pilot project, a world-first showcase footbridge, launched in Norfolk on 26th September. This was funded predominantly by an Innovate UK Net Zero pre-commercialisation grant, and includes two 10.8m long minimass™ beams, Scottish glulam timber decking and timber parapets. Overall, the bridge provides embodied carbon and supply cost savings of ~35% vs a traditional steel and concrete footbridge design. The project gives the construction industry tangible proof of concept of the technical performance, procurement process, warranties and insurance, as well as the low carbon and low cost credentials of minimass™ beams.

Behind this game-changing technology is Andy Coward, Founder and CEO and Sarah Blake, Co-Founder and Commercial Director. Andy is a structural engineer with over 20 years of industry experience, including as Head of Engineering at Bjarke Ingels Group. He holds a 1st class degree in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Cambridge. Sarah is a former strategy consultant who brings 11 years of commercial real estate experience from British Land, covering business development, CRM and commercial insights & analytics.

The team is supported by an advisory board with expertise in various sectors, including engineering, ESG, corporate governance and real estate.

In this round Sustainable Ventures is investing alongside a number of strategic angels. This investment will fuel the expansion of their product portfolio, furthering commercial traction and scaling of their operations. We are proud to welcome minimass™ to our portfolio and look forward to supporting their vision for a more sustainable construction future. 

Learn more about minimass™ and their groundbreaking technology here.