Gennate Ltd Raises £550,000 Seed Funding from SFC Capital, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Salonica Infinity Fund
Manchester/London, UK (19th March 2026) – Gennate Ltd, a Greater Manchester-based deep-tech company developing next-generation plant nutrition nanomaterials, today announced the successful close of a £550,000 seed funding round. The investment was led by SFC Capital, with participation from the GM Advance Fund, (managed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)), and the Salonica Infinity Fund (part of Salonica Group).
The round reflects a strong collaboration between private capital and public-sector partners to accelerate the commercialisation of UK-developed scientific innovation. Based in Stockport and with laboratory space at Manchester Science Park, Gennate is emerging from the region’s growing life sciences and advanced research ecosystem.
The funding will underpin the creation of up to 15 new jobs over the next three years and accelerate Gennate’s transition from laboratory development to pilot-scale manufacturing, enabling productisation of its proprietary platform and early commercial deployment. Key milestones include fabrication, technology maturation and launch of initial industrial pilots with leading agritech partners.
Gennate is led by its CEO and founder, Dr. Imad Naasani and co-founder Dr. Farid Khan, who are experienced biotech entrepreneurs, and have formed a team of nano-formulation scientists. The team has moved into Kilburn House, Manchester Science Park, part of Bruntwood SciTech which provides the ecosystem that allows biotech companies to form, scale and grow.
Gennate has developed a novel continuous-flow nanoreactor platform that enables the low-cost, scalable production of nano-sized macro- and micronutrients. The technology addresses long-standing manufacturing and cost barriers that have limited the global adoption of nanofertilisers, while supporting more efficient nutrient delivery and reduced environmental losses. Gennate’s nanofertiliser formulations have already shown 30% increase in wheat seed germination and >50% yield increases in growth and biomass of crops.
Dr Imad Naasani, Founder and CEO of Gennate, added:
“This funding is a strong validation of our scientific breakthrough and our vision to make nanotechnology commercially viable at industrial scale. It enables us to move decisively toward pilot production and sets the company for early product deployment and global growth.”
£150,000 of funding was provided through the GM Advance Fund, a £10m revolving investment fund managed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to support the growth of companies in the advanced manufacturing and materials sector. The Fund is open to new start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises based in Greater Manchester, and those with tangible plans to relocate or expand operations in the city region.
Councillor David Molyneux, Leader of Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Lead for Resources and Investment, said:
“The GM Advance Fund was set up to support companies like Gennate, businesses that can turn world‑class research into real economic opportunity for Greater Manchester. Advanced materials is one of our frontier sectors, with huge potential to create good jobs, attract private investment and build long‑term strength in the regional economy while supporting more sustainable ways of producing and using resources.
“By backing businesses at this stage, we’re helping innovation take root here and making sure growth delivers for local people and communities across Greater Manchester.”
The Salonica Infinity Fund focuses on backing pre-revenue and early-revenue, science-led companies emerging from the UK’s leading innovation clusters, investing across life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability-driven technologies. In addition to capital, the Fund provides hands-on strategic and commercial support to help founders bridge the gap between world-class science and real-world application.
Omar Majid, MD of Salonica Group, commented:
“Gennate is an excellent example of the kind of science-led business the Infinity Fund was established to support. Investing alongside SFC Capital and GMCA demonstrates how aligned public and private capital can accelerate promising technologies from the lab into real-world impact.”
About Gennate Ltd
Gennate Ltd is a Manchester-based deep-tech company developing a proprietary nanofabrication platform for the affordable, scalable production of functional nanoparticles. The company’s initial focus is sustainable agriculture, delivering next-generation nanofertilisers designed to improve crop yield and quality while supporting soil regeneration.
About SFC Capital
SFC Capital is a leading UK early-stage investor and SEIS fund manager, providing capital and strategic support to high-growth British startups across technology and deep-tech sectors.
About Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is the strategic authority for Greater Manchester, working with the Mayor, the ten Greater Manchester councils, local partners and government to improve the lives of people across the city-region.
The GM Advance Fund, led by the GMCA, is a £10m revolving investment fund supporting advanced manufacturing and materials businesses in Greater Manchester with gateway funding for innovation, product development and growth.
About Salonica Infinity
Salonica Infinity is a UK specialist investment fund focused on life sciences, green transition technologies, and advanced materials, backing companies advancing sustainable innovation.
Media Contact
Dr Imad Naasani
Founder & CEO, Gennate Ltd
inaasani@gennate.com