IP Group's core business is the creation of value for its shareholders and partners through the commercialisation of intellectual property originating from research intensive institutions. Their strength lies in managing this process from finding suitable intellectual property to commercialise to either helping develop businesses and create value out of them, or identifying and establishing appropriate commercial partnerships to do so. IP Group's extensive expertise in this area combined with its inside knowledge of both industry and finance have enabled the group to create a formidable track record of consistently delivering excellent results for their companies, for their partners and for their shareholders.

IP Group

Bloc Ventures is an investment company focused on investments in early-stage Deep Tech companies. Pitch directly to Bloc here: https://blocventures.com/pitching/ Bloc Ventures is not an investment fund, it is a company that invests in early-stage tech companies. Bloc Ventures is very much a company in the traditional sense, with a rigorous focus on governance, costs, and profit, governed by a board of directors with an operational model that enables its stakeholders to focus on building value through a longer-term collaborative and evergreen approach to early-stage tech investing. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in London, England.

Bloc Ventures

IQ Capital is a Cambridge & London-based VC firm that invests in ‘deep tech’ companies capable of dominating their respective markets on a global scale. Initial investments at Seed and Series A range from £0.5m to £10m, with capacity for follow-on investment up to £30m through the Growth Fund. The team has achieved over 30 exits including to Apple, Huawei, Google and Oracle.

IQ Capital

Swisscom Ventures is an venture capital arm of Swisscom AG, that specializes in early stage tech investments founded in 2007. Swisscom Ventures invests in growth companies with emerging business models and technologies of strategic relevance to Swisscom's core business. As a value-add investor, Swisscom brings its investees the technical expertise and strategic insights of an incumbent telecom operator. We act as a bridge to Swisscom's operational business units, which portfolio companies can also leverage as a test environment for their products and services. Swisscom Ventures seeks minority stakes in companies related to the information/communications/entertainment space.

Swisscom Ventures

Parkwalk is a London-based fund management firm.  Parkwalk invests in UK technology companies that have IP backing and freedom to operate, generally spun out of UK universities. Their funds seek to generate capital gains for their investors, enhanced by the attractive tax relief provided by EIS. Parkwalk entered this investment sector in 2009, anticipating a wave of tax-efficient incentives launched by the UK Government to stimulate innovative emerging technology companies and thereby help drive economic growth. Parkwalk utilises academic, technology transfer, venture capital and personal networks developed over many years to gain access to the highest calibre deal-flow.                                                                                                                 In 2017 Parkwalk joined forces with IP Group plc, a leading intellectual property commercialisation company that is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IPO. As at March 2019 the combined group has net assets of £1.2bn.

Parkwalk Advisors

Hostplus is an industry superannuation fund for the hospitality, tourism, recreation, and sport industries.

Hostplus

Touchstone Innovations create, build and invest in pioneering technology companies and licensing opportunities developed from outstanding scientific research focusing on the ‘Golden Triangle’ of London, Cambridge and Oxford.   Their robust strategy and fully integrated business model, proven over many years, begins with original idea and extends through intellectual property (IP) protection, company formation, seed funding, incubation, scale-up and supportive investment.  This provides us with a unique insight into leveraging early-stage research and turning it into substantial, high-quality, well-managed and well-funded commercial businesses.  They help scientists and entrepreneurs to commercialise their idea by protecting and licensing intellectual property, leading the formation of new companies, recruiting high-calibre management teams and providing and supporting investment.  They provide continuity of funding from start-up to scale-up, with initial investments from seed stage onwards. They remain an active investor throughout the lifetime of their portfolio companies, with the majority of their investment each year going into businesses they have lived with and understood for some time. This strategy substantially de-risks investment scale-up in their portfolio companies.  Touchstone Innovations is at the forefront of UK early-stage technology investment. Alongside their co-investors they have leveraged over £1.5 billion to help drive high technology innovation in the UK.

Touchstone Innovations

AccelerComm

AccelerComm is an exciting semiconductor IP-core company that provides solutions to accelerate the next generations of wireless communications (3GPP rel 14, rel 15 and beyond).  Their technology solves the bottleneck that would otherwise limit the speed of next generation wireless communication, namely the error correction decoding that is required to overcome the effects of noise, interference and poor signal strength.

AccelerComm is a semiconductor IP company that develops cutting-edge digital signal processing technology to optimize the performance of 5G radio access networks. Its channel coding IP corrects mobile transmission errors caused by noise, interference, and poor signal strength, thereby increasing spectrum efficiency and reducing latency. AccelerComm's solutions are tailored for the specific requirements of cellular and satellite communications, delivering market-leading performance and efficiency.

University of Southampton spinout AccelerComm scores £5.8 million to 'supercharge 5G communications'

UK 5G startup AccelerComm raises £21.5m

AccelerComm’s signal gets supercharged with £21.5 million funding round

5G NR Modem Solutions

ICURe Programme

AccelerComm secures £5.8m Series A funding from IQ Capital, Bloc Ventures and IP Group

AccelerComm secures £21.5m series B funding to supercharge 5G

Southampton's AccelerComm joins Open Compute Project for 5G innovation

AccelerComm Raises £21.5M in Series B Funding

A new generation for mobile connectivity with 5G and beyond

Next-gen Mobile Networks

AccelerComm Welcomes Radisys to 5G LEO Satellite Regenerative Base Station Ecosystem Partner Program

AccelerComm is a semiconductor IP company that develops cutting-edge digital signal processing technology to optimize the performance of 5G radio access networks. Its channel coding IP corrects mobile transmission errors caused by noise, interference, and poor signal strength, thereby increasing spectrum efficiency and reducing latency. AccelerComm's solutions are tailored for the specific requirements of cellular and satellite communications, delivering market-leading performance and efficiency.
The company offers a comprehensive product suite, including a complete channel coding IP solution that reduces latency and power consumption for 5G radio baseband processing. Additionally, it provides LEOPhy, a complete Layer one modem that incorporates its technology for low-earth orbit 5G satellite communications. In November 2022, AccelerComm was acquired by an undisclosed company.

3Red8, now known as ZB8 Infra, is an infrastructure company focused on constructing a nationwide fiber optic network across the US. Their mission is to build core internet infrastructure, enabling the next generation of digital technologies such as AI, autonomous vehicles, 5G/6G, IoT, smart grids, and more. ZB8 Infra's innovative approach involves creating a sustainable, high-capacity, diverse, and secure national fiber network that ensures secure, faster, and more reliable end-to-end data transport solutions compared to legacy networks.
The company's network architecture follows a "triple-redundant, figure-eight" design, ensuring resilience and top-tier performance. If one path encounters issues, the other two seamlessly maintain data flow. This groundbreaking network aims to reduce the nation's digital divide by providing affordable connectivity to underserved communities along its routes.
ZB8 Infra's Phase 1 network build, spanning approximately 335 miles from Ashburn to Virginia Beach, is set to commence construction in the summer of 2024. This initial phase will strategically link Virginia Beach cable landing assets, the Richmond Network Access Point (NAP), and the Ashburn data center hub, with an expected completion date of Q1 2026.
In April 2024, the company announced its evolution from a fiber optic transport network to a national digital infrastructure solution, prioritizing redundancy and diversity for various stakeholders seeking secure, direct connections. ZB8 Infra's network incorporates the latest fiber technology, integrating sensor, measurement, and AI technologies during construction.

3Red8

Aarna Networks is an edge computing and 5G management solutions provider based in San Jose, California and Bengaluru, India. The company offers a Multi Cluster Orchestration Platform (AMCOP), an open-source orchestration, lifecycle management, and real-time policy and closed-loop automation platform designed to simplify the management of edge native and 5G network services.
In February 2023, Aarna Networks launched Aarna Edge Services (AES), a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) version of AMCOP that provides zero-touch edge orchestration and management services. AES enables tasks such as provisioning, configuring, and managing multi-cloud connectivity for cloud edge users, colo users, and SD-WAN service providers. It supports multi-cloud strategies, connecting the edge to public clouds, and allows users to share storage across public clouds and edge applications without incurring egress costs.
AES also facilitates the deployment of Machine Learning applications at the edge, reducing traffic to public clouds and eliminating the need for expensive on-premises hardware. The platform enables software-defined content delivery network (CDN) instances from partners to improve rich media application performance. Additionally, AES allows enterprises and operators to orchestrate O-RAN workloads and 5G Core on the cloud edge with partners.
In October 2023, Aarna Networks closed an oversubscribed seed funding round, raising USD 1.5 million from investors including LDV Partners, 3Lines, Carat Venture Partners, and Nvidia. The funding will be used to bring the company's cloud-Edge infrastructure, generative AI workloads, and Private 5G offerings to market.
In February 2024, Aarna Networks partnered with Airspan Networks and Druid Software to offer a managed private 5G solution for multi-site deployments, targeting service providers and system integrators. The solution combines Aarna's AMCOP platform, Airspan's sub-6GHz private 5G radio network, and Druid's 4G/5G core network platform, providing a "zero-touch" bundle for scalable Industry 4.0 systems.

Aarna Networks

<div>
 
 AST SpaceMobile is developing the first and only space-based cellular broadband network designed to operate directly with standard, unmodified smartphones. The company's technology aims to provide global connectivity by deploying a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit that can communicate directly with mobile devices on the ground. AST SpaceMobile's satellites, called Bluebirds, feature large communications arrays measuring 693 square feet, making them the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit. The company's first five commercial satellites completed final assembly in July 2024 and were prepared for shipment to Cape Canaveral for a planned launch in September 2024. These initial satellites are expected to provide non-continuous service across the US with over 5,600 cells in premium low-band spectrum. AST SpaceMobile's technology utilizes the 850 MHz low-band spectrum, which offers superior signal penetration and coverage capabilities. In April 2023, the company successfully demonstrated its technology by placing the world's first call from an ordinary cellphone in Texas to another cellphone in Japan using its BlueWalker three prototype satellite. AST SpaceMobile aims to deploy up to 168 satellites to achieve global coverage, with an estimated total cost approaching USD 5 billion for the full constellation.
 
</div>

AST Space Mobile

Astranis is a San Francisco-based company that designs and manufactures small, low-cost telecommunications satellites to provide broadband internet access in remote and underserved areas. The company's unique approach involves building compact geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites weighing around 400-600 kilograms, significantly smaller than traditional GEO satellites that can be the size of a school bus.
Astranis' satellites utilize a proprietary software-defined radio payload technology, allowing for frequency and coverage flexibility, as well as efficient spectrum utilization. The company's first commercial satellite, Arcturus, launched in April 2023, was designed to provide over 7.5 gigabits per second (Gbps) of throughput in the Ka-band to triple satellite internet capacity across Alaska through a partnership with Pacific Dataport Inc. However, Arcturus experienced solar power issues post-launch, limiting its capabilities.
To address this, Astranis deployed a multi-mission satellite called UtilitySat in 2023 as an interim solution. UtilitySat can provide connectivity across Ku, Ka, and Q/V bands and has the ability to reposition multiple times within the GEO belt, thanks to its dual chemical and electric propulsion system.
Astranis' satellites have a designed lifespan of around 8-10 years, roughly half that of conventional GEO satellites. The company operates the satellites it builds and leases the capacity to customers, including telcos, Fortune 500 companies, and governments. In 2024, Astranis unveiled plans for its next-generation Omega satellites, designed to provide over 50 Gbps of throughput, five times more than the current generation. The Omega satellites will feature solid-state power amplifiers instead of traditional vacuum tubes, improving efficiency and reducing weight.
By the end of 2024, Astranis aims to have contracts worth over USD 1.2 billion in revenue from satellites sold, with customers in countries like Mexico, Argentina, Thailand, and the Philippines. The company has also expressed interest in competing for the Protected Tactical SATCOM - Global (PTS-G) program, a US government initiative for a proliferated GEO telecoms constellation.

Astranis

Bad Cell Reception LLC (BCR) specializes in providing cellular signal enhancement solutions for multi-dwelling units (MDUs), hospitality, and commercial buildings. The company offers custom-designed, cost-effective alternatives to traditional Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) to improve cellular reception within buildings. BCR's services encompass consultation, property surveying, and system implementation, aimed at boosting tenant satisfaction, increasing retention, and enhancing property value. Their cellular enhancement systems are designed to address the growing demand for improved cell signal, which has become one of the most desired amenities for residents over the past decade.
In addition to cellular enhancement, BCR offers security camera systems tailored to meet various project scales, from small setups to complex multi-campus or multi-building requirements. The company employs the latest equipment to ensure quick deployment and compliance with client specifications. BCR also provides solutions for Emergency Responder Radio Coverage (ERRC) and public safety radio signal boost systems, which can be crucial for code compliance in many buildings. Furthermore, the company can assist with ancillary technology needs such as internet of Things (IoT) backbones and WiFi systems.
BCR emphasizes its ability to intervene at any stage of construction, from groundbreaking to near completion, to address cellular signal needs. The company positions itself as an alternative to 5G for solving in-building reception issues, noting that 5G technology often performs worse than 4G LTE inside buildings due to weaker signal strength. BCR's team brings over 50 years of combined experience in the telecom and cellular industry, leveraging this expertise to provide efficient and effective solutions for improving in-building cellular coverage.

Bad Cell Reception LLC

Companies that are developing land-based hardware and equipment which are installed on the earth's surface to transmit and receive 5G/6G signals for use in telecommunications, including base stations, antennas, and routers

Companies that are developing space-based hardware and equipment to transmit and receive 5G/6G signals for use in telecommunications, including satellites and other space-based equipment

Companies that are developing technology and solutions which are used to improve existing network range or efficiency; also includes companies looking to build next generation networks themselves

Companies developing next-generation software solutions for mobile service providers to manage cloud infrastructure and network services

Provides 5G/6G telecom technologies to offer lower latency and increased capacity and coverage

Earth-based hardware and telecom software companies adopt AI/ML for design and RAN automation

Some network optimization companies offer a single network to connect users and IoT devices globally

AccelerComm

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