Participated · Equity · Jun 2025

AccelerComm develops proprietary physical-layer IP for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) aimed at enabling 5G Direct-to-Device connectivity between standard mobile handsets and satellites. Its technology focuses on the RAN physical layer—encoding and decoding signals—to address latency, power efficiency, and error-correction challenges unique to space-based 5G. The company is working with customers and partners including Lockheed Martin, which is incorporating AccelerComm’s solutions into an Advanced Regenerative 5G NR NTN Base Station slated to be the first regenerative 5G payload in orbit. AccelerComm plans to expand its satellite-based 5G work to accelerate universal mobile coverage via space-based infrastructure and has reported strong interest from mobile operators and satellite networks worldwide. The company announced David Helfgott as its new CEO as it closes a new funding round. It raised $15 million in a round led by IP Group (including Parkwalk and Hostplus funds) with backing from IQ Capital, Swisscom Ventures, and Bloc Ventures; the UK Space Agency has expressed support for the sector. AccelerComm provides award‑winning 5G channel‑coding IP and a LEOPhy layer‑1 modem designed to correct transmission errors from noise, interference and poor signal strength. Its configurable channel‑coding IP can be optimized for both terrestrial and satellite communications to deliver higher throughput, lower latency and reduced power consumption for 5G radio baseband processing. The product suite includes a channel coding solution for baseband processing and LEOPhy, a complete L1 modem for low‑earth orbit 5G satellite links. AccelerComm works with customers and partners including Vodafone, Intel, AMD and National Instruments and is active in industry groups such as the O‑RAN ALLIANCE and Small Cell Forum. The company plans to use new funding to expand the team, drive US and global expansion, and further develop its technology as demand grows among mobile operators, telecoms equipment vendors and satellite operators. Founded at the University of Southampton in 2016, AccelerComm has won multiple awards, including a Global Mobile Award at MWC Barcelona in 2022. AccelerComm was founded in 2016 by Professor Rob Maunder as a University of Southampton spinout and is led by CEO Tom Cronk. The company develops channel coding IP used to correct transmission errors in mobile, small cell and satellite communications, optimized to meet cellular and satellite throughput and error-correction targets. Its product suite delivers reduced latency and power consumption for critical 5G components and can be integrated into custom silicon (ASIC), programmable hardware (FPGA) or deployed as software. AccelerComm is already working with Intel, Xilinx and National Instruments. The company raised £5.8m in a Series A and intends to use the funds to expand the team, drive US and global expansion, and further develop its technology. Demand is expected from mobile operators, telecoms equipment vendors, satellite operators and connected device manufacturers.

Participated · Series A · May 2022

Pharrowtech develops semiconductor chips, antennas, and software that enable multi-gigabit-per-second, low-latency wireless links using the 60 GHz mmWave band. Its technology targets next-generation Wi‑Fi (Wi‑Fi 8 / IEEE 802.11bq) and applications including broadband fixed wireless access, 5G complementarity, wireless HDMI, AR/VR headsets, smart cities, autonomous mobility, and industrial automation. The company emphasizes leveraging the 14 GHz of unlicensed spectrum and many non-overlapping channels in the 60 GHz band to deliver high throughput and reliability. Pharrowtech plans to use recent financing to accelerate development and commercialization of its Wi‑Fi 8-capable solutions and to secure global leadership in next-generation Wi‑Fi technology. The company is based in Leuven, Belgium. Its current financing includes both non-dilutive grant funding and equity investment from the EIC Accelerator programme. Pharrowtech develops millimeter-wave (60 GHz) RF hardware and software, including the PTR1060 CMOS RFIC (IEEE 802.11ay‑compliant, 57–71 GHz) and PTM1060 phased-array radio-frequency modules. Its products target 5G unlicensed fixed wireless access (FWA), backhaul for 5G/Wi‑Fi infrastructure, consumer electronics (VR headsets, TVs) and smart‑city IoT. The PTR1060 and PTM1060 are available to select customers and are being designed into a tier‑one US equipment vendor; demonstrations and evaluation kits are also being provided. Pharrowtech built on imec R&D prototypes and plans to ramp production in Q3 2022. The company intends to use new capital to accelerate product deployment, expand US operations, improve customer support, and grow engineering and business teams.

Led · Seed · Dec 2021

Oxford‑based Helix Geospace designs and manufactures precision GNSS/GPS antennas and RF technology that enable small, accurate positioning, navigation and time‑synchronisation products. The company is positioning its antennas for demanding sectors including transportation, cybersecurity, defence and autonomous vehicles. Helix plans to take its GPS antennas into mass production and to roll out a "factory‑in‑a‑box" to deliver global manufacturing capability. The new funding will support scale‑up in manufacturing and team expansion, with CTO Oliver Leisten expanding the radio‑frequency engineering team and COO Nick Filler building operations. Financially, Helix has raised a new £3m Seed round and previously secured £2.5m from UKI2S and angel investors, plus grant funding from the European Space Agency and UKI2S for advanced development.

Led · Series A · Nov 2021

Shield-IoT offers a cloud-based software solution to protect any IoT device or application without requiring changes to end-customer networks. The platform enables service providers and IoT brands to monitor and secure large-scale B2B IoT and IIoT deployments, reduce operational costs, and create new value-added services. Its solution is deployed across multiple verticals including telcos, utilities, transportation, manufacturing, smart cities and government. Founded in 2017 by CEO Udi Solomon and Chief Scientist Professor Dan Feldman, the company is based in Kfar Saba, Israel. On November 22, 2021 Shield-IoT raised $7.4M in a Series A led by NextLeap Ventures and Bloc Ventures with participation from Atlas Ventures, Akamai Technologies, Springtide Ventures, DIVEdigital and Janvest Capital Partners. The company intends to use the proceeds to expand operations and broaden its business reach.

Participated · Equity · Feb 2021

Mindtrace develops "brain-inspired" AI software for enterprise, centered on its Brain-Sense™ technology. The company says Brain-Sense™ minimises the need for large amounts of labeled data, enables faster learning, and allows AI to adapt to changing real-life conditions. The recent funding will accelerate Mindtrace's product roadmap and go-to-market activities, including forming strategic partnerships. Mindtrace raised a $3 million investment led by Skylake Capital, with participation from Bloc Ventures and existing investor Mercia Asset Management. Marcos Battisti of Skylake Capital and Michael Dimelow of Bloc Ventures have joined the board of directors. The company was founded in November 2017 and is based in Manchester. MindTrace develops software algorithms that mimic the human brain to enable machines to teach themselves via unsupervised learning. The company is advancing a collision-avoidance system intended to deliver faster response times, improved performance in poor lighting, and lower power and bandwidth requirements. Its technology is positioned for a range of applications including data management, cyber security and, primarily, systems for autonomous vehicles. MindTrace plans to use recent funding to recruit an R&D team and a chief executive and to develop a prototype in collaboration with a major car manufacturer. The company brings together Professor Michael Denham and Dr Kameliya Dimova, alongside Professor Steve Furber, and is chaired by Sir Hossein Yassaie. MindTrace is based in Manchester, UK.