Led · Equity · May 2017

Linear Diagnostics is developing a rapid diagnostic platform based on a novel application of linear dichroism. The technology uses polarized light to measure the alignment of detector molecules, allowing identification of bacteria, proteins, and genes and providing quantitative readings from a single sample. The company plans to develop the platform into a handheld device that detects bacterial infections and simultaneously identifies the risk of resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics without laboratory facilities. Its first application will be a point-of-care urinary tract infection (UTI) device for use in primary and secondary care to help restrict inappropriate prescriptions and combat antimicrobial resistance. Although initially focused on the medical sector, the platform can also address markets in agri-food, veterinary, and defence settings. Financially, Linear raised £300K in funding supported by an investment from Rainbow Seed Fund and a matching award from the University of Birmingham’s Spinout Investment Fund.

Participated · Equity · Jan 2017

Smart Antenna Technologies is a University of Birmingham spinout that has developed a single antenna system solution for smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices. Its patented technology enables devices that typically require up to six antennas for Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth and mobile networks to use a single antenna, aiming to reduce antenna count. The company says this can potentially cut manufacturers' material costs by up to 50% while improving performance, reducing device size and increasing battery life. Led by founder and CEO Sampson Hu, Smart Antenna intends to use the funds to complete product development for a potential industry partner. The company also plans to expand its engineering capabilities and to extend its core technologies. It raised £1.0m in funding from investors that include Senetas Corporation and Mercia Technologies as well as the Alta Innovations-managed University of Birmingham Spinout Investment Fund. Smart Antenna Technologies (SAT) is a University of Birmingham spin-out that develops SmarTenna®, a patented single-antenna system for laptops, smart TVs, mobile phones and tablets. SmarTenna® integrates patented antenna elements, adaptive tuning and circuit technology to optimise RF performance across a wide bandwidth while remaining compact and cost-effective. The system supports multi-port, multi-band wireless standards concurrently, enabling dual-band WiFi, LTE‑A, Bluetooth and GPS/GNSS in one antenna. SAT says SmarTenna® can cover LTE bands from 450MHz to 6GHz and support multiple carriers via LTE‑A carrier aggregation. The technology is positioned to address bandwidth, performance, cost and size challenges associated with LTE‑A Pro and 5G deployments. SAT highlights patented active circuitry that tunes and enhances overall system performance and aims to enable broader, lower-cost adoption of 5G and other new wireless technologies.

Participated · Equity · Oct 2014

Abingdon Health plc is an international developer, contract manufacturer and regulatory-services provider focused on rapid diagnostic and lateral-flow tests, headquartered on the York Biotech Campus. The company offers a full-service CDMO platform that takes customer assays from design through regulatory approval and volume production. Recent commercial activity includes a €2 million contract with a European biotech firm to progress a companion diagnostic point-of-care test, the roll-out of pregnancy-testing kits into Germany, Poland and Austria, and a collaboration with a Dutch company to improve bird-flu testing. In 2023 it also created Abingdon Health USA to increase manufacturing capacity and better serve North American clients. Management reports that both the U.S. subsidiary and the CDMO offering are gaining strong traction with customers. Several major contract wins are expected to translate into new revenue streams, and the company has turned to the capital markets to fund larger projects and sustain its expansion. Although the article provides no specific revenue figures, the pipeline of signed contracts suggests growing commercial momentum.