ICEoxford

What ICEoxford does

ICEoxford (legal entity: ICEOxford Limited) is a Witney, UK-based specialist manufacturer of high-performance cryogenic systems founded in 2004/2005. The company designs and builds cryostats, dilution refrigerators, and Helium-3 systems covering temperatures from 77 K down to 10 mK, using both cryogen-free ("DRY ICE") and liquid-cryogen ("WET ICE") architectures. Its product portfolio spans the DRY ICE 3 K / 1.5 K / 1 K / 300 mK / 10–50 mK family, the Eden 10 mK and Mini-Eden 50 mK dilution cryostats, a 3 K ion-trap system, the recently launched ICE-Q modular cryogenic platform with 19-inch rack-mountable cube modules and 3D-printed heat exchangers, plus a Cryobitz sub-brand supplying e-commerce spares and consumables. Supporting subsystems include superconducting magnets (up to 13 T), anti-vibration frames, sample manipulation hardware, Helium level meters, the ICEcube automated gas handling system, and the ICE Temperature Control / ICE Lite software stack.

The company serves a global customer base of academic and government research institutions — named customers include the Universities of Cambridge, Bristol, Southampton, Stirling, Shanghai Tech, Southern Denmark and ICFO Barcelona, plus Los Alamos, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and TRIUMF — alongside emerging quantum computing customers (e.g., photonic, superconducting, ion-trap, solid-state, single-photon detection). Revenue is generated primarily through direct, quote-based sale of configured cryogenic systems (capital hardware purchase), complemented by a recurring e-commerce business in Cryobitz components, repair and maintenance services, and bespoke custom engineering projects. Distribution is direct sales-led via phone, email and enquiry forms, supplemented by an online storefront and PR-driven demand generation through industry coverage (e.g., Physics World).

ICEoxford is privately held with no disclosed external VC/PE backing; it is founder/management-owned under Managing Director Chris Busby. The company has accumulated recognitions including the Queen's Award for Enterprise, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications (validity 2025–2027), an Oxfordshire Business Awards shortlisting, and Innovate UK R&D funding, alongside an R&D collaboration with Canadian quantum company Photonic Inc jointly funded by the UK and Canadian governments.

Name

ICEoxford

Legal name

ICEOxford Limited

Website

https://iceoxford.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ICEoxford is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of low-temperature cryogenic research systems (cryostats, dilution refrigerators and He-3 platforms spanning 77 K to 10 mK), serving academic, government and emerging quantum-computing customers globally via direct sales and a Cryobitz spares e-commerce channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cryogenic Research Equipment

NAICS

Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415)

SIC

Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

Dilution Refrigerators & Ultra-Low Temperature Platforms (HDAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cryocoolers & Refrigeration Units (HDAGABAB), Cryogenic Vacuum, Pumps & Thermal Management (HDAGABAD)

Keywords

• Cryogenic systems
• Dilution refrigerators
• Cryostats
• Quantum computing cooling
• Ultra-low temperature equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Witney

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Cryogenic Hardware Systems: Sale of complete cryogenic systems including DRY ICE and WET ICE cryostats, dilution refrigerators, and Helium-3 systems. Custom-configured to customer specifications with various temperature ranges (10K to 10mK), magnet options, and optical access configurations. One-time capital purchase model typical for research equipment.
2. Cryobitz Components and Spares: E-commerce sales of spare parts, consumables, and accessories through the Cryobitz brand. Includes cryogenic wiring, connectors, windows, fittings, pumps, sensors, tools, and maintenance supplies. Repeat purchase model for existing customers.
3. Repair and Maintenance Services: Repair services for cryogenic equipment including dipper repairs, pumping line repairs, transfer line repairs, and cryostat rewiring. Servicing existing customer base with equipment restoration and upgrades.
4. Custom/Configured Systems: Bespoke system design and manufacturing for specific research applications. Consultation-driven sales process with customized specifications for temperature, magnetic field, optical access, and sample environment requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ICEoxford designs and manufactures low-temperature cryogenic research equipment, principally DRY ICE (cryogen-free) and WET ICE (liquid-cryogen) cryostats, dilution refrigerators, and Helium-3 systems operating from 77K down to sub-10mK. The portfolio targets quantum computing, beamline, spectroscopy, materials characterization, and nuclear fusion research applications, and includes the ICE-Q modular cryogenic platform. A Cryobitz sub-brand supplies spares, components, accessories, and repair services.

Product overview

ICEoxford is a UK-based specialist in high-performance cryogenic systems, offering a comprehensive portfolio centered on two main product lines: DRY ICE (cryogen-free) and WET ICE (liquid cryogen) systems. The core products span temperature ranges from 77K down to 10mK using various cooling technologies including pulse tube, Gifford-McMahon, He-3, and dilution refrigeration. The portfolio includes specialized systems for quantum computing applications, notably the modular ICE-Q platform and DRY ICE-Q DYAD for scalable quantum technologies. Supporting software includes ICEcube Controller Software, ICE Temperature Control Software, and ICE Lite for system management. The Cryobitz sub-brand provides spares, components, and accessories including pumps, sensors, wiring, and cryogenic equipment. Add-on modules include magnet systems (solenoid, vector rotate, split-pair), anti-vibration frames, and automated sample manipulation systems. The company serves academic institutions and industry laboratories globally with customized cryogenic solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cryobitz: Cryogenic laboratory spares, components, and accessories brand operating under ICEoxford

Products and services

• DRY ICE Systems A complete range of cryogen-free (dry) cryogenic systems operating at multiple temperature stages from 3K down to sub-50mK using pulse tube, Gifford-McMahon, He-3, and dilution refrigeration technologies. Designed for quantum computing, spectroscopy, and materials characterization research applications where elimination of liquid cryogen handling is operationally desirable.
• WET ICE Systems Wet cryogenic systems using liquid cryogens (liquid helium and liquid nitrogen) at 77K, 1.5K, He-3, and dilution temperatures, for applications including beamline research, spectroscopy, and materials testing.
• DRY ICE-Q DYAD Modular Cryogenic Architecture Modular cryogenic architecture featuring cube-shaped modules that fit standard 19-inch rack mounts, designed for scalable quantum technologies with side-loading wiring modules and 3D-printed heat exchangers.
• ICE-Q Modular Cryogenic Platform Cube-shaped modular cryogenic platform with standard 19-inch rack-mount compatibility, scalable architecture where modules can be added or removed for different quantum computing configurations. Targets practical quantum computing deployments with future 10mK modules on the development roadmap for superconducting quantum computing.
• Eden DRY ICE 10mK Dilution Cryostat Ultra-low temperature dilution refrigerator system achieving base temperatures of 10mK for superconducting quantum computing and advanced research requiring millikelvin conditions.
• Mini-Eden DRY ICE 50mK Dilution Cryostat Compact dilution refrigerator achieving 50mK base temperature for quantum research applications requiring smaller footprint systems.
• DRY ICE 300mK Benchtop Compact benchtop He-3 cryostat system for photonic quantum applications and single photon detection research.
• DRY ICE 300mK TERTIA He-3 continuous cryostat for solid-state quantum applications with enhanced temperature control features.
• ICE CP Cold Probes Automated cold probe systems available in 20mK and 300mK variants for muon beamline and other research applications requiring automated sample testing at cryogenic temperatures.
• DRY ICE 1.5K High Cooling Power VTI Variable temperature insert with high cooling power for photonic quantum applications and research requiring rapid temperature changes at 1.5K.
• DRY ICE 3K ION Cryogenic system specifically designed for ion trap quantum computing applications at 3K temperature.
• ICEcube Gas Handling System Automated gas handling system for operating dilution refrigeration and continuous He-3 systems, with integrated software control for condensation, circulation, warm-up, and mixture extraction procedures.
• ICE Cube Controller Software Control software for the ICEcube gas handling system enabling automated cool-down procedures, data logging, graph extraction, and full control of dilution refrigerator operations.
• ICE Temperature Control Software Temperature control software for managing cryogenic system operations including calibration management for temperature sensors.
• ICE Lite Software Entry-level temperature control software for basic cryogenic system management.
• Cryobitz Spare Parts and Components Sub-brand offering cryogenic laboratory spares, components, and consumables — including pumps, valves, wiring, connectors, windows, insulation, tools, greases, adhesives, transfer lines, and maintenance supplies.
• Superconducting Magnet Systems Superconducting magnet options including Vector Rotate Magnets, Solenoid Magnets (2T–6T integrated), Split-Pair Magnets, and accessories for magneto-optical experiments.
• Anti-Vibration Systems Advanced vibration reduction systems including ICE AAV Advanced Anti-Vibration Frame, ICE AV Anti-Vibration Frame, ICE AV Pro Anti-Vibration Frame, and ICE Block Vibration Reduction System for ultra-low vibration applications.
• Helium Level Meters (ICEhlm01) Precision measurement instruments for monitoring liquid helium and nitrogen levels in cryogenic dewars and storage systems, with various probe options and analog output configurations.
• Cryogenic Temperature Sensors A range of cryogenic temperature sensors including CLTS, Ruthenium Oxide (calibrated and generic), Platinum resistance, Carbon-Ceramic, and DualICE sensors for various temperature ranges.
• Superconducting Magnet Power Supply (ICEPS-125-6) ICEPS-125-6 four-quadrant power supply for charge and discharge cycling of superconducting magnet loads with Ethernet, RS-232, USB and IEEE-488 interfaces.
• Warming Box Automated probe warming system for safe warming of sample probes (50–85mm diameters) using PID-controlled warm dry nitrogen gas through G-10 shield enclosures.
• Sample Manipulation Systems Complete range of sample holders, chip carriers, and manipulation systems including Z-axis probes with coarse/accurate rotation, X-axis probes with automated rotation, dual-axis rotators, rotating and fixed chip carriers, and optical sample holders.
• Transfer Lines Liquid helium transfer lines including standard flexible/rigid, low loss variants (one/two elbow), and custom designs for various laboratory configurations.
• Repair and Maintenance Services Repair services for cryogenic equipment including dipper repairs, pumping line repairs, transfer line repairs, and cryostat rewiring for existing customer base equipment restoration and upgrades.

Quantifiable outcome

• Systems run continuously for 10+ years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Photonic InccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative R&D partnership for development of ICE-Q modular cryogenic platform. Project jointly funded by UK and Canadian governments. Development enabled advancement in modular architecture for scalable quantum computing applications with side-loading wiring modules and 3D-printed heat exchangers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Cryomech: US-based manufacturer of cryocoolers and pulse tube refrigerators used as the cold source in many dry cryogenic platforms. Comparable as a component supplier / adjacent cryogenic specialist to ICEoxford's DRY ICE mechanical-cooling architecture.
• attocube systems: Germany-based manufacturer of cryogenic, low-temperature, and nanopositioning systems for quantum and physics research. Comparable to ICEoxford in serving the same quantum-physics customer base with cryogenic and measurement products.

Broad incumbents

• Zurich Instruments: Switzerland-based provider of quantum measurement and control instrumentation. Comparable in serving the same quantum computing ecosystem as ICEoxford, with adjacent rather than directly competing instrumentation products.
• Oxford Instruments: Large UK-headquartered scientific instrument company with a cryogenic and quantum measurement portfolio (including its prior NanoScience / Oxford Instruments Nanoscience dilution refrigerator business). Competes with ICEoxford in research cryogenics while serving a much broader scientific-instrument market.
• Janis Research (Lake Shore Cryotronics): US-based provider of cryogenic systems, temperature sensors, and measurement instruments serving research and quantum markets. Overlaps with ICEoxford across cryostats, dilution refrigerators, and temperature sensors including the Cryobitz-style consumables range.

Direct peers

• Bluefors: Finland-based leading manufacturer of dilution refrigerators and ultra-low temperature cryogenic systems for quantum computing and research. Direct competitor to ICEoxford's DRY ICE dilution refrigerator and ICE-Q product lines, serving the same quantum and academic customer base globally.
• ColdEdge Technologies: US-based specialist in cryogenic cooling systems and dilution refrigerators for quantum computing, research, and industrial applications. Comparable to ICEoxford in product scope and target quantum-research market.
• Leiden Cryogenics: Netherlands-based specialist manufacturer of dilution refrigerators and cryogenic systems for quantum technology and low-temperature physics. Directly comparable to ICEoxford's dilution refrigerator and ICE-Q offerings in scale and product scope.
• Montana Instruments: US-based specialist in cryostats for quantum research, including optical cryostat platforms used in photonic quantum computing. Directly comparable to ICEoxford's DRY ICE 1.5K and photonic quantum product lines.

Others

• Form Factor (BTU / Lake Shore cryogenic probe stations): US-based provider of cryogenic probe stations and related test equipment used in quantum and materials research labs. Adjacent to ICEoxford in serving cryogenic test-and-measurement workflows at research institutions and national labs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ICEoxford
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iceoxford

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICEoxford