The UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), managed by Future Planet Capital, has invested £430,000 in Cryogenx as part of a £1.7 million seed funding round to accelerate development of its breakthrough portable cooling technology.
Cryogenx’s flagship product, the CGX1, is designed to deliver rapid, life-saving treatment for heatstroke and heat-related illness- all without the need for ice, refrigeration, or complex cold-chain logistics. Often described as a “defibrillator for heat”, the lightweight device can be deployed in minutes, making it a game-changer for military, industrial, and emergency response applications where high temperatures put lives and operations at risk.
“This is exactly the kind of innovation we target in our defence and security investments”
“Cryogenx is addressing a critical, global challenge with a solution that has the potential to transform how we prevent and manage heat injuries across sectors. We’re proud to support them as they scale their impact and set a new benchmark for operational safety and resilience.”
Cryogenx is focused on dual-use applications, with strong relevance for defence customers like the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the US Department of Defense (DoD), where exertional heat illness is a persistent and costly issue. The company is also eyeing rapid expansion into civilian sectors, including energy, construction, mining, emergency services, and sports.
The funding will be used to drive FDA clearance, scale up manufacturing, and expand international sales. Cryogenx is also developing lighter, modular versions of its technology and planning a subscription-based model to build long-term revenue.
"Heatstroke isn’t just an isolated risk; it’s a rising global threat - and existing solutions simply aren’t practical enough to meet the challenge. We’ve designed CGX1 as a defibrillator for heatstroke, providing frontline responders and military personnel the ability to treat heat-related illness effectively, wherever it strikes. The backing from UKI2S is pivotal - it not only validates our mission but gives us the resources to accelerate regulatory clearance, scale manufacturing, and get this lifesaving technology into the hands of those who need it most."
By 2030, 700 million people are projected to be exposed to extreme heat, with the resulting productivity losses expected to top $2.4 trillion annually. Core body temperatures exceeding 39°C can be fatal, and even sub-lethal heat stress sharply reduces physical and cognitive performance. Older workers, who make up a growing share of the global workforce, are particularly vulnerable.
Four environmental factors – temperature, humidity, radiant heat, and wind speed – combine to push workers beyond safe limits, according to research from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Once body temperatures rise above 38°C, heat exhaustion sets in; at 40.6°C, the risk of organ failure and death from heatstroke increases dramatically.
Cryogenx’s innovation tackles this head-on, providing a scalable, portable solution at a time when climate-driven heat stress is emerging as one of the most urgent global health and economic challenges.
© UKI2S and Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited. All Rights Reserved. UKI2S is managed by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited which is Authorised and Regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 148549. Registered in England and Wales. Company Number 2500898. Registered Address: Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited, 1 Scott Place, 2 Hardman Street, Manchester, M3 3AA.
