• Cipher Surgical

  Led · Equity · Apr 2011

  Cipher Surgical is a Chantilly, VA–based medical device company focused on improving visibility in minimally invasive surgery. Its proprietary OpClear technology keeps laparoscopic lenses clean during procedures, enhancing procedural efficiency and patient safety. Led by CEO Mark Alley, the company develops laparoscopic surgical technologies and is pursuing ongoing clinical research initiatives. Cipher Surgical raised $10M in a Series A round led by Medical Solutions. The company intends to use the funds to support its clinical research and to expand its sales and marketing footprint across Europe, Asia, Australia and the United States. The financing was announced April 28, 2025. Cipher Surgical is a Coventry, UK-based developer of a laparoscopic accessory. Led by CEO Andrew Newell, the company has developed OpClear, a novel solution that keeps a laparoscope’s lens clear during surgery. OpClear comprises a single-use device that fits to a laparoscope and uses fluidics in a novel way to clear the lens. The company closed £1.2m in funding. Funding was closed by Braveheart Investment Group’s Envestors Limited from private investors in Monaco, including Donald Anderson. Cipher Surgical intends to use the funding to obtain the CE mark and launch into the UK. Cipher Surgical develops the OpClear, an innovative medical device designed to maintain a clear distal window of the laparoscope during operative procedures. The company is led by managing director Andrew Newell and is based at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Venture Centre in Coventry. It plans to use newly raised capital to complete development and make product enhancements. Cipher Surgical aims to launch the OpClear in the UK in 2012 and to pursue multiple international market launches during 2013. The company raised £650k in funding from existing investors and a syndicate that includes med‑tech backers and London Business Angels (£130k). Cipher Surgical is a medical device company based at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Venture Centre in Coventry and led by managing director Andrew Newell. Its core product, OpClear, is designed to allow surgeons to clear the view of the camera at the end of the laparoscope without removing it. OpClear aims to reduce delays, lower time under anaesthesia and make operations quicker and safer during abdominal and stomach surgery. The company plans to fully launch OpClear by 2014. Cipher Surgical employs five people. The company has raised over £1m to date and recently received angel and venture capital funding to support the product launch.

• Sparcana

  Led · Equity · Mar 2011

  Sparcana, founded by Jane Scrivner and Kevin McWilliams and based in Willicote, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK, has launched its first product, The Orb. The Orb is a portable heat chamber that heats skincare products in less than 15 minutes and maintains the temperature of the contents for one hour after removal from the heating source. The product targets warming waxes, clays and mud and will be available commercially in March. The company plans to launch a personal version under the Jane Scrivner label in June 2011. Sparcana intends to use a recent investment to grow and build a presence in the industry quickly and aims to launch one new product to market each year for the next five years. It received a £120,000 investment to support these plans.

No current team members are available.