Conflux Technology secures $11 million in Series B round

3D printed automotive, aerospace and drone heat exchanger manufacturer Conflux Technology has secured $11 million in its Series B funding round, led by the Victorian government venture capital arm Breakthrough Victoria.

Breakthrough pledged $5 million along with investors AM Ventures and Acorn Capital, with the cash to be used to accelerate development of its Conflux Production Systems (CPS) workflow process, while also beefing up its operations in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Conflux heat exchanger technology, which produces lighter, more efficient systems through advanced additive design and manufacturing, has expended from its roots in F1 racing to the aerospace and space sectors.

The company has a long running partnership with US defence contractor General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc, with the most recent contract a project to design and manufacture of a fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) for the MQ-9B drone.

The investment from Breakthrough Victoria should result in an additional 39 positions being created at Conflux’s Warun Ponds, Victoria facility, where it also collaborates with Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials, developing new aluminium alloys for additive manufacturing.

Conflux Technology CEO Michael Fuller said: “We are thrilled to receive this investment from Breakthrough Victoria, which not only accelerates the development of our revolutionary heat exchanger technology but also strengthens our commitment to providing more opportunities for regional Victoria.

“This investment is a crucial step forward in our mission to drive efficiency and innovation in the industry, while continuing to support our local community.”

The primary purpose of heat exchangers is to efficiently transfer thermal energy from one fluid to another, with the demands of drones and space demanding smaller and lighter units that can fit into complex payloads.

Additive manufacture offers both geometry optimisation and weight reduction.

Breakthrough Victoria CEO Grant Dooley said: “Investing in Conflux and their revolutionary new heat exchanger technology signifies our commitment to sustainable innovation and efficiency.”

Further reading:
Conflux wins manufacturing title at Governor of Victoria Export Awards
Conflux Technology to develop new fuel oil heat exchanger with General Atomics
Conflux and Deakin begin nine-month aluminium alloy development project

Picture: Conflux Technologies