KVector, a University of Birmingham spin-out developing a novel antenna for radar and satellite communications, has raised £3.8m to commercialise its technology.
The funding has come from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF II) through fund manager Mercia Ventures, Midlands Mindforge, the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) which is managed by Future Planet Capital, and the University of Birmingham. It includes £950,000 from Innovate UK which provided grant funding alongside part of the equity investment.
KVector is currently operating in stealth, working with selected commercial partners. The funds will be used for recruitment and to develop a range of radar and communications products in collaboration with its partners in the defence sector.
KVector’s beam-steered antenna is designed to deliver the performance of a modern active electronically steered array (AESA) without the electronics that make it heavy, expensive and power-hungry. AESAs use thousands of individually controlled electronic components, which means they are expensive to develop and build, use significant power and their weight rules out a long list of applications.
KVector’s patented approach replaces that electronics stack with engineered metamaterial surfaces within a simple electro-mechanical architecture – improving radiofrequency transmission efficiency while reducing power use, weight and complexity. The technology is designed to be manufactured at scale through UK and European supply chains. It can also be tuned across a wide range of frequencies, which opens up potential for new applications.
The UK has a long-standing strength in metamaterials research, including the work at the University of Birmingham. The company was founded to turn that research into manufacturing capability in the UK.
KVector was founded by Executive Chair Henry Nurser, former CEO of mmWave systems company Blu Wireless, with the University of Birmingham researchers who invented the technology – Dr James Churm and Professor Alexandros Feresidis, an internationally recognised expert in metamaterials-enabled antenna design.
Henry Nurser, co-founder and Executive Chair of KVector, said: “I’m excited to be working with Alex, James and our expanding team to realise the commercial potential of this technology, which could have a significant impact on the sensing and communications sector.
“We are deliberately saying little about our partners and applications at this stage due to the commercial sensitivity of the deals. What we can say is that this investment lets us accelerate development, deepen the work already under way, and build the foundations for a world-class company here in the UK.”
David Baker, Portfolio Director, Mercia, said: “Until now, deployment of radar and satellite communications systems has been constrained by the size and weight of equipment and its power requirements. By overcoming these barriers, KVector’s technology could position the UK at the forefront of wireless sensing and communications. We are pleased to work with our fellow investors to help support its growth.”
David Tindall, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said: “Midlands Engine Investment Fund II was established to support ambitious, innovative businesses across the Midlands, and this investment is a great example of the technology and expertise emerging from the region’s universities.
“As a University of Birmingham spinout, the business is developing technology in satellite communications systems that enables new approaches and applications at a significantly lower cost while eliminating national vulnerabilities in the electronics supply chain. We’re pleased to support the team as they take this technology towards commercialisation and the next stage of growth.”
Dr. Daniel Carew from Midlands Mindforge said: “KVector enables new approaches and applications at a significantly lower cost while eliminating national vulnerabilities in the electronics supply chain. The depth of interest in the company’s technology from the defence industry, both in the UK and internationally, has been astounding. We look forward to helping the team build a new category leader in this field.”
Thomas Storey, Investor at Future Planet Capital National (managing UKI2S) added: “Antennas are often the single biggest constraint on radar and communications systems. KVector’s technology promises a genuine leap forward, redefining what radar and communications systems can do. This is a British invention, born out of a British university, and we’re excited to help bring it to market.”
David Coleman, CEO, University of Birmingham Enterprise added: “This is a significant first round for a newly formed spin-out and a strong endorsement of both the technology and the team behind it.”