Viritech

About Viritech

Viritech is a cleantech engineering company founded in 2021 by Timothy Lyons, a serial entrepreneur with previous exits in the FinTech sector, and Matt Faulks, a former Formula 1 engineer. The UK-based firm is focused on developing hydrogen powertrain solutions to enable zero-emission transport and power applications. It operates from the MIRA Technology Park in Nuneaton, a major automotive R&D hub in the UK. The company's business model is centered on developing and licensing its intellectual property to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier-1 suppliers, aiming to generate recurring, high-margin revenue. Viritech targets sectors where hydrogen offers immediate advantages, including high-performance cars, commercial and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), aerospace, and marine applications. Key partnerships have been established with major players like Ford, BP, and Pininfarina. Viritech's core technology suite addresses the significant weight and efficiency challenges of conventional hydrogen fuel cell systems. The company has developed a range of products including structural hydrogen pressure vessels made from composite and graphene resin, advanced battery modules, and energy management systems. This integrated approach allows for a powertrain that is significantly lighter than battery-electric equivalents and only marginally heavier than a traditional diesel engine, a crucial factor for commercial vehicle operations. A key demonstrator of its capabilities is the Apricale, a hydrogen-powered hypercar designed in collaboration with Pininfarina and unveiled at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Apricale, which produces over 1,000 horsepower while weighing under 1,000 kg, serves as a testbed and showcase for Viritech's technology, with a limited production run of 25 units planned. Beyond the hypercar, the company is actively developing an HGV powertrain and has secured multiple UK government grants to advance its R&D programs.