Ilimex Secures £600,000 Seed Funding to Expand Biosecurity and Air Sterilisation Technology in Agri-Food Sector
Ilimex, the Northern Ireland‑based biosecurity and air sterilisation start‑up, has secured £600,000 (approximately €700,000) in new equity financing in a seed funding round aimed at accelerating commercial validation and market expansion of its Flufence air sterilisation technology. The financing round, concluded in November 2025, represents a pivotal moment for the company as it moves to bring its high‑performance pathogen neutralisation solutions into the agri‑food sector, where airborne disease control is critical for production efficiency and animal health.
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, Ilimex develops and manufactures biosecurity systems that combine advanced detection and sterilisation technologies, including high‑intensity UVC irradiation, to neutralise over 99.9999% of airborne pathogens in a single pass. Originally conceived to improve air quality in public spaces such as schools, healthcare facilities and workplaces, the company’s technology has evolved toward specialised applications in poultry farming and medicinal mushroom cultivation — industries where airborne viruses like Avian Influenza present significant operational and economic risks.
The latest funding will be used to validate the performance of the Flufence solutions in real‑world environments and support Ilimex’s entry into the agri‑food market. Early adopters in poultry and mushroom production offer opportunities to demonstrate efficacy, support data‑driven performance metrics and build a commercial footprint that can underpin wider rollout across UK, EU and global markets.
The equity finance round included participation from Innovation Ulster Limited, the enterprise venture capital fund affiliated with Ulster University, and Invest NI via Clarendon Fund Managers, alongside existing shareholders. This blend of regional investment support and venture capital reflects confidence in Ilimex’s technology and its potential to address a pressing biosecurity need with broad commercial implications.
Innovation Ulster Limited, as part of Ulster University’s innovation ecosystem, provides finance and strategic guidance to technology ventures in Northern Ireland and beyond. By backing Ilimex, Innovation Ulster is deepening its support for high‑growth deep‑tech companies that leverage research partnerships to translate scientific advances into market‑ready products. Clarendon Fund Managers, which manages the co‑fund on behalf of Invest NI, brings additional expertise in scaling early‑stage companies and driving economic impact through strategic investments.
Ilimex’s chief executive officer, Gerry Corrigan, emphasised that the funding will be integral to enhancing the company’s validation efforts and enabling broader commercialisation. With airborne pathogen outbreaks continuing to challenge agricultural operations worldwide, Ilimex’s Flufence technology targets a substantial market opportunity in biosecurity solutions for animal health and food production settings.
The Flufence platform integrates continuous pathogen detection with high‑intensity UVC sterilisation and proprietary air‑flow design, allowing it to continuously monitor and inactivate viruses and bacteria as air circulates through production environments. This capability is seen as a competitive differentiator in sectors where conventional air handling and clean‑room technologies may fall short in addressing fast‑moving outbreaks or high pathogen loads.
While Ilimex’s technology is scientifically robust, its path to commercial success will depend on gathering independent performance data, securing initial commercial contracts and establishing partnerships across poultry and mushroom production facilities. The newly raised funds are expected to enable these next steps, helping the company refine its product offerings, support pilot implementations and prepare for larger scale rollouts.
The agrifood focus aligns with broader trends in precision agriculture and biosecurity, where producers are increasingly investing in solutions that protect animal health, reduce disease‑related losses and ensure continuity of supply chains. With markets such as poultry air cleaning estimated to be worth billions globally, Ilimex is positioning itself as a technology provider capable of helping farmers and producers meet regulatory requirements and improve operational resilience.
Ilimex’s funding round underscores the role of regional innovation funds and venture capital in nurturing high‑impact start‑ups with global ambitions. By combining academic collaboration, technology innovation and targeted commercial strategy, the company aims to scale its impact and deliver advanced biosecurity solutions that meet the evolving needs of industrial and agricultural markets.
As Ilimex moves forward, the company will focus on validating its technology in operational environments, expanding its customer base and exploring further funding opportunities to support ongoing growth and global expansion.
