Led · Seed · Jul 2023

Delta.g is a Birmingham-based quantum technology spin-out from the University of Birmingham that builds quantum sensors engineered for real-world deployment. Its proprietary devices provide significant gains in precision, portability and reliability, enabling quantum-grade geospatial data collection. Early trials have demonstrated value across infrastructure monitoring, transportation, and other dual-use government and commercial scenarios. The hardware is paired with a data and analytics layer that integrates sensor outputs directly into customers’ decision-making workflows. With newly raised capital the company plans to expand its technical team, scale manufacturing capacity and deliver pilot field systems through key partners. It also intends to advance its analytics platform to support broader adoption. To date, Delta.g has secured £4.6 million in seed funding; the article did not disclose additional operating metrics such as revenue or user numbers.

Participated · Seed · Apr 2023

VyperCore develops processor designs that accelerate existing compute workloads without requiring application rewrites by defining an object-based view of memory inside the core. Its technology aims to both boost data‑centre compute performance and block memory‑oriented attack vectors such as memory leaks and buffer overflows. The company’s first‑generation hardware will be RISC‑V based and is intended for sampling with partners in an Early Access Program in Q3 2024. VyperCore plans to use its newly raised funds to open design centres in Cambridge and Bristol and to develop its first generation of accelerated compute silicon. The startup raised £4M in a Seed funding round and lists Octopus Ventures, Foresight WAE Technology, Science Creates Ventures, British Growth Fund and Silicon Roundabout Ventures as backers. VyperCore was founded in 2022 by Ed Nutting and Russell Haggar and is based on University of Bristol research into CPU acceleration.

Participated · Equity · Apr 2023

Forefront RF develops RF semiconductor technology that reduces PCB space by using fewer components while increasing the number of supported frequency bands for multi-band smartphones, wearables and other connected devices. Founded in 2020 and led by CEO Ronald Wilting, the company is based in Cambridge, UK. Its technology is derived from academic research and is positioned to help OEMs and ODMs incorporate advanced features while reducing cost, size and weight. Forefront RF plans to transition from an early-stage startup to a more mature RF technology player. The company is preparing a first-generation product, the FFM51010, targeted for a 2026 launch into the cellular-enabled smartwatch market. It recently raised funding to expand operations and accelerate development efforts. Forefront RF is a UK-based fabless semiconductor company that says it simplifies the design of multi-band smartphones, wearables and IoT devices through tunable RF components. The company is launching a fully tunable duplexer using its patented adaptive passive cancellation technology, which uses software control to enable devices to operate across a wide range of XGen (3G to 6G) frequency bands. A demonstrator targeted at the 600–1000 MHz bands is intended to show suitability for 4G and 5G standards. Forefront RF positions this technology as a solution to an industry-wide challenge and aims to capitalise on global growth opportunities. The recent funding is intended to support the next stage of the company’s growth and broader commercialisation efforts. Forefront RF is a Cambridge, UK-based fabless semiconductor company founded in 2020 by Dr Leo Laughlin and Julian Hildersley. It commercializes academic research from the University of Bristol to produce RF cancellation chips that allow smartphones and connected devices to operate across 3G to 6G frequency bands. The company’s cancellation technology redesigns a wireless device's RF system, enabling manufacturers to simplify design and deliver frequency-agnostic products while reducing cost and supply-chain waste. Phil O’Donovan joined the founding team as company chairman, bringing experience from CSR plc. Forefront RF raised £1.5m in funding to expand its team and accelerate the launch of its products. The capital is intended to grow engineering and commercial capabilities as the company moves toward product launch.

Led · Seed · Feb 2023

Kelpi has developed a seaweed-derived coating that can be applied to paper and card to replace plastic packaging. The material is compostable, can be recycled at home or industrially, and the company says it will fully biodegrade in months if washed out to sea. Kelpi plans to use the new funding to recruit scientists, engineers and commercial staff and to run large-scale pilots of the lab-developed material. The company intends to scale up production, complete regulatory approvals and bring the product to market by mid-2025. Kelpi has established partnerships with brands including L’Oréal, Diageo, Waitrose and Blue Skies. Founded in Bath and now based in Bristol, the business raised capital to fund commercialization and scaling efforts. Kelpi develops proprietary coatings for paper and card using seaweed-derived materials to produce compostable, marine-safe, low-carbon bioplastic packaging. The company is led by CEO and co-founder Neil Morris and Chief Scientific Officer Dr Stefanie Federle. Kelpi is already working with global leaders in food & drink and cosmetics. It raised £3M in Seed funding, which includes £665K of grant funding from Innovate UK’s Combined Investor Partnership. The company intends to use the funds to conduct manufacturing pilots for its coatings. Kelpi is based in Bath, UK.

Participated · Equity · May 2022

Nebu-Flow develops a nebulizer platform intended to improve inhaled drug delivery, claiming advantages over existing technologies. The company is positioning its platform for inhalation delivery of RNA-based formulations and says it enables targeted delivery to the lungs, cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Partners in the UK and North America are trialling the product as Nebu-Flow prepares for regulatory approval. The announcement cites the global inhalable drug market at roughly $33 billion in 2023 and the nebulizer market at over $1 billion. Nebu-Flow is a former spinout from the University of Glasgow and is based in Glasgow, Scotland. The company recently won a £1m Innovate UK project and the Institute of Physics Business Start-up Award, and is preparing for final product development and commercialization. Nebu~Flow develops a next-generation nebuliser designed to improve delivery of respiratory pharmaceuticals, including drugs that are hard to nebulise such as biologics. The company was spun out of the University of Glasgow and co-founded by CEO Dr Elijah Nazarzadeh, who led the underlying research. Nebu~Flow positions its device against a global nebuliser market valued at over $1 billion and the wider inhalable drug market estimated at over $43bn in 2022. Management says the technology could enable delivery of cutting-edge treatments, including gene therapies, and improve outcomes for conditions like cystic fibrosis and COPD. The company plans to commercialise its technology and hire additional scientific, research, product design, and developer staff this year. Dr John Pritchard was recently appointed chair to support product delivery and market entry.