Investments made
Dep-Well Technology
ForceSenSys
OmniPerception Ltd.
Polarmetrix
Si-Light Technologies
Whitfield Solar Ltd
DEP-Well Technology
DEP-Well technology is a novel technique to characterise or separate bacteria, cells or other types or suspended particles. It is based on a laminate electrode technology (patent pending) that used a phenomenon called dielectrophoresis. This approach has a wide range of applications ranging from drug screening, diagnostics, and separation of cells to characterisation of nano-particles. Opportunities exist to develop further the core technology towards substantial diagnostic and monitoring applications in medical, security, biotechnology, nanotechnology and research fields. Several studies have identified the automation of in screening and diagnostics as a major drivers; DEP-Well technology is well positioned to make a significant contribution to these evolving market needs.
Contact
Jonathan Hodrien
Technology Transfer Manager
Research & Enterprise Support
University of Surrey
01483 683676
j.hodrien@surrey.ac.uk
Omniperception Ltd.
Omniperception Ltd. secures major V C funding to fuel explosive growth
World-beating British company brings together international investment consortium to secure its future at the forefront of Computer Vision and Intelligent Personal ID
Guildford, UK , May 10th 2005 - OmniPerception Limited, the leading British computer vision and biometrics company, today announced a joint investment from Glasgow-based Pentech Ventures and Paris-based Iris Capital. OmniPerception, acknowledged for its world-leading accuracy in automatic facial verification, will use the funds raised to increase sales of existing products and to further invest in the product development of its growing range of Intelligent Video solutions.
Based on unique technology first developed at the University of Surrey , OmniPerception's products are already making a stir in rapidly expanding market areas. These include “OmniPerception Affinity Face Recognition”™ software that provides automatic ID solutions in areas such as Passports, ID cards, secure access control and the prevention of identity theft; and also the company's “Magellan”™ automatic logo and brand monitoring system used to assess the impact of the millions of pounds spent on sports marketing every year.
Making good use of the new investment funding; and working in close collaboration with companies such as Sharp Electronics, the Battelle Memorial Institute, Aurora Computer Services, Steria, Precise Biometrics, UniSys and others; OmniPerception will exploit its technology across an increasingly wide product range, to meet growing market demand worldwide. Current projects include Secure Access Control, Civil Identification, Real-time Image Analysis and Surveillance - for both government and commercial applications.
These areas have a total market size estimated at € 1.25 billion in 2005 and predicted to grow rapidly in the years ahead.
In announcing the investment, David McIntosh , OmniPerception CEO, said today
“The strength and international scope of the two investors underline the global importance of the work that OmniPerception is doing. I am very grateful to First Capital Corporation, our corporate finance advisors, for bringing OmniPerception, Pentech and Iris together”
Sandy McKinnon , Director, Pentech Ventures, said
“OmniPerception met our principal investment criteria of having strategically important Intellectual Property aimed at a very large market opportunity. The technology team is first rate and we were also attracted by the quality of the executive management who have achieved so much to date.”
Alexander Wiedmer, Partner of Iris Capital commented that
"OmniPerception has great upside potential; we were particularly impressed by the breadth of applications the company can reach with its valuable technology portfolio."
Mr Wiedmer and Mr McKinnon join David McIntosh and his colleagues on the Board team at OmniPerception, which includes United States Marine Corps General Charles E. Wilhelm whose appointment was also announced today. (Note: Details in separate Press Release.)
Welcoming his new colleagues, David McIntosh commented that
“Working with unique new technology in a field as important as security, and seeking rapid expansion, we needed exceptionally accomplished investors with whom to share the journey. In Iris and Pentech, we have found exactly what we were looking for. With their investment and their input to the Board, together with the founding team and General Wilhelm's contribution, we now have the international team to take OmniPerception from strength to strength.”
Notes for Editors
About OmniPerception
OmniPerception Limited is an innovative Computer Vision technology company founded in 2001 by leading research engineers from the University of Surrey 's Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing, a world centre of excellence in this field. OmniPerception develops solutions for security markets based on its patent pending Facial Biometrics technology. OmniPerception works with systems integrators and solutions providers around the globe in particular to enhance Homeland and Corporate security. The company's proprietary biometric technology is widely recognized as taking automatic face recognition to higher levels. OmniPerception's intellectual property portfolio and in-depth expertise drives a growing range of products in global markets, particularly in the field of machine readable travel documents and integrated access control and surveillance solutions.
Further information can be found at www.omniperception.com
About Pentech Ventures
Pentech Ventures are a specialist UK early-stage software investment fund. Pentech invests in "best of breed" software companies that can demonstrate strong technical leadership with products addressing global markets. Investing in UK and Ireland , Pentech was formed in July 2001 and has made 9 investments to date.
Pentech Ventures is part of Penta Capital Partners and is regulated under the FSA.
Further information can be found at www.pentechvc.com .
About Iris Capital
Iris Capital is a pan-European venture capital company specialising in media, communications and information technology. Since its inception in the mid-eighties, the Paris-based Iris Capital team has managed investments in more than 180 companies located in 17 different countries, and has generated more than 130 full exits, achieving consistently superior returns. Iris Capital targets opportunities in high-growth technology or services companies across various investment stages, and provides active support to its portfolio companies.
Further information can be found at www.iriscapital.com .
About FirstCapital Corporation
FirstCapital is a corporate finance advisory firm based in London, specializing in venture capital fund raising and mergers and acquisitions support and advice to high growth technology companies. FirstCapital Corporation is regulated under the FSA.
For further information please contact: Paul Fisher, FirstCapital on 020 8563 1563 or Paul@firstcap.co.uk
The Investment
The two investors syndicated together in a multi-million euro investment in consideration for equity in OmniPerception. Further details of the investment round were not disclosed.
Company Contact
Gill Slater, Marketing Director
Tel: +44 (0)1483 688 350
Email: g.slater@omniperception.com
Polarmetrix
Polarmetrix, a spinout from the University of Surrey which has developed fibre-optic sensing technologies, has been acquired by energy technology company Fotech Solutions. Venture funding was received by Fotech from Scottish Equity Partners, Energy Ventures and Saudi Arabia-based Shoaibi Group to commercialise its pioneering solutions for the monitoring and surveillance of oil and gas wells and pipelines. In addition to the acquisition of Polarmetrix, Fotech will use the funds to further develop and field test its monitoring systems and for the commercial launch of its products which will initially be targeted at the oil and gas market.
Whitfield Solar Ltd
Whitfield Solar, the developer of low cost solar concentrator technology, has announced Stephen Bates will join as CEO, to help drive forward the company’s strategy for growth and development.
Mr Bates joins from ANGLE plc where he was UK CEO. He has an MBA from Cranfield and has also held senior positions with Sagentia, Arthur D. Little, and Marks and Spencer.
As the announcement is made, Whitfield can reveal it has closed an interim funding round of approximately $2M to enable it to complete its product development, take its solar concentrator through accreditation testing and install a grid-connected demonstration site in Spain.
The equity investment came from existing shareholders Carbon Trust Investments (CTIL) who partnered with new shareholder Kilsby Ltd.
In parallel with the intense product development work planned for 2008, Whitfield will complete its long-term growth plans and return to the investment community in the second half of the year to fund its expansion and diversification.
The company has also made a number of new hires to reinforce its board of directors, project management and engineering resources.
- Ian Collins joins as Project Director from McLaren Automotive
- Chris Lee joins the board as a non-exec director from his role as CEO of MicroGen, the CHP (Combined Heat and Power) spin-out from British Gas.
- Sylvain Chonavel joins Whitfield to head-up the mechanical engineering function from ArvinMeritor
Stephen Bates, CEO said, “It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I take up this role. It is rare that one gets the opportunity to join an organisation with such potential and where the proposition is so close to market. Now we have our team in place, I am looking forward to a year of rapid progress, growth and engineering excellence”
Jonathan Bryers, Investment Partner at Carbon Trust Investments, said, “We are delighted at the calibre of the commercial and product development team that is now in place at Whitfield to take their low cost solar concentrator product to market. We believe the market will increasingly focus on cost and simplicity within the solar sector and Whitfield is well placed to exploit this opportunity.
End
Notes for Editors
The Carbon Trust
• The Carbon Trust works with UK business and the public sector to cut carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies. An independent company set up by Government to help the UK meet its climate change obligations, the Carbon Trust creates practical business-focused solutions to carbon emission reduction on energy efficiency, carbon management, and investment.
• The Carbon Trust's annual funding is in excess of £65m in grants from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and Invest NI.
• The Carbon Trust is involved in the general activity of promoting investment in low carbon technologies. It does not give investment advice. The contents of this press release are intended for information only and are not to be relied upon for any purpose whatsoever.
The University of Reading
The University of Reading is one of the top 20 research intensive universities in the UK , and internationally recognised for the excellence of its teaching on a broad range Arts, Humanities and Sciences programmes. In the last Research Assessment Exercise, 15 departments were awarded the grade of 5, with five designated the top rating of 5* (Archaeology, English, Italian, Meteorology and Psychology). The University consistently achieves high ratings for the quality of its teaching from the national Quality Assurance Agency.
Links:
Whitfield Solar Ltd. http://www.whitfieldsolar.com
The Carbon Trust http://www.thecarbontrust.co.uk
Cascade Fund http://www.cascadefund.co.uk
Segen http:// www.segen.co.uk
The University of Reading http://www.reading.ac.uk
Reading Enterprise Hub http://www.readinghub.co.uk/dynamic/index.aspx
For media enquiries, please contact:
1. Dr. Clive Weatherby, CEO, Whitfield Solar Ltd.
Reading Enterprise Hub,
The University of Reading , Earley Gate,
Reading , RG6 6AU , UK .
+44 (0) 118 935 7260
clive.weatherby@whitfieldsolar.com
2. The Carbon Trust press office
+44 (0) 20 7544 3100
carbontrust@fishburn-hedges.co.uk
Full press release (Word 97 document)
Reading Enterprise Hub
The University of Reading
Earley Gate
Reading
RG6 6AU
Contact:
Tel: +44 (0) 118 935 7260
Fax: +44 (0) 118 935 7261
Email: clive.weatherby@whitfieldsolar.com
Web: www.whitfieldsolar.com
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