History

FireChill has come a long way since it started life in a development lab in the US in 2000 with a bunch of talented physicists and engineers trying to figure out step change improvements to technology first invented by Einstein and used by granny to power her kerosene fridge.

Detailed Corporate History

2000: Cooling Technology Inc (“Cooltec”) incorporates in the US to develop a gas-fired air conditioning unit to promote a switch to gas during the low usage summer months. Through technology integration, Cooltec develops proprietary heat exchangers for enhanced performance with the support of GRI, Southern California Gas Company (“SOCAL”) and Keyspan Energy (“Brooklyn Union”).

Cooltec becomes the first company to introduce a totally new product based on GAX (Generator/Absorber Heat eXchange) technology, and develops product components which are proprietary via US patents and licenses.

2002 to 2005: Cooltec continues the development programme. Gains Underwriters Licence (“UL”) certificate, launches forty-four beta units into a range of test sites in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Illinois, California and Mexico. The testing, carried out in association with energy-related companies, proves the unit’s durability and efficiency, especially in high ambient temperatures.

2005: Energy reduction, environmental awareness and today’s clean tech drivers begin to emerge. CHP, previously the preserve of large scale installations, now being addressed by small scale micro-turbines. Capstone Microturbines leads the way.

2007: Yorkshire Forward, searching the world for product to manufacture in Yorkshire, discovers the Cooltec product and carries out extensive research and validation.

2008:  Phase 37, a private venturing and business support services company, launched by Simon Clothier to identify emerging, fast-growth businesses and to manage them actively through commercialisation. 

2009: Yorkshire Forward seeks a UK-based marketing and distribution capability and approaches Phase 37 to set up a “go to market” vehicle for the Cooltec-developed product. Firechill conceived, branded and launched.

2009: Cooltec grants FireChill exclusive, in perpetuity, global rights to Cooltec’s existing and future intellectual property (IP), together with global manufacturing licences.

2010: Further round of funding.

2011: Further round of funding to continue Technology Roadmap programme.