Best Use of Technology 2011

Founded: 2003
Founder: Carl Francis
Turnover 2010: £3.2m
Turnover 2011: £7.5m
Web: http://www.p2i.com

Many business commentators would have you believe that academics cannot make good entrepreneurs; that the experiments and crazy ideas of the laboratory are a world apart from the cut-and-thrust of the boardroom. But the briefest of glances of P2i, a company which was formed as a laboratory spin-out and currently employs over 20 PhD science graduates, immediately gives the lie to this lazy assumption.

P2i’s technology, a liquid-repellent nano-coating which was initially developed for battlefield clothing, offers an unprecedented level of water protection for all kinds of devices and applications. The coating is just nanometres thin so it is totally invisible to the naked eye. Furthermore, it is proven to last as long as the product it covers, without any reduction in effectiveness.

P2i, which became the first-ever spin-out from the Ministry of Defence’s in-house laboratory when it broke away in 2004, markets its coating under two consumer brand names – ion-mask and Aridion. The technology is currently applied to many types of products such as electronics devices, footwear, performance textiles, bio-consumables, medical devices and filtration media.

In addition to claiming the Best Use of Technology prize at this year’s Fast Growth Business Awards, P2i was recently named ‘Most Innovative Company in Europe’ at the 2011 International Business Awards.

Judges’ comments: P2i has developed some truly impressive nano-technology that the judges believe could help to create a major international business. The company is already world leader in liquid repellent nano-coating technology, which basically means you could make your shoes, laptop or hearing aid water or moisture-repellent. The huge scope and potential, plus its turnover growth and strong profit margin, won all of the judges over.

Carl Francis, CEO, P2i said, “We are very excited to have won the ‘Best Use of Technology’ award. This recognizes the game changing nature of our liquid repellent nano-coating technology across a range of market sectors, from consumer electronics to footwear and accessories. The possibilities are endless with P2i as we build on our cutting edge technology by moving into other functional nano-coatings providing benefits such as anti-microbial, anti-scratch, and anti-stain properties.”

www.p2i.com