Every day, Global University Venturing rounds up the smaller investments from across the university innovation ecosystem in its deal net.
Liopa, a UK-based audio interpretation technology spinout of Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), has secured an undisclosed sum from investors including tech transfer office Qubis, SiliconRepublic reported yesterday. The deal also involved the UK government’s Future Fund in addition to state-run Invest NI, which invested through vehicles Access to Finance, Techstart NI and Co-Fund II. Liopa will use the money to launch two products – LipRead and Sravi – aimed at lip-reading from video transcripts and communication for people who cannot use their voice.
Coreshell Technologies, a US-based battery coating developer, has secured an undisclosed sum from Berkeley Skydeck, an accelerator run by University of California, Berkeley, Reuters reported today. The round was led by Entrada Ventures and also included specialty chemicals group BASF, state agency California Energy Commission, Baruch Future Ventures, Tsingyuan Ventures, Sema Translink and Alchemist Accelerator. Founded in 2017, Coreshell has devised a liquid coating for lithium-ion battery electrodes that prevents ions from becoming stuck in order to save materials and potentially prolong the battery’s lifespan. BASF will help test the coatings using its supply of cathode-active battery materials.
ScubaTx, a UK-based organ preservation technology spinout of Newcastle University, was officially unveiled yesterday. The spinout’s prototype controls and monitors gas distribution to organs being stored ahead of a medical transplant, allowing them to be transported farther without the intervention of a technician. Founded in February 2020, ScubaTx will initially target pancreas and kidney transplants but plans to diversify into liver and heart transplants at a later date. The company is seeking its first equity funding round to build commercial units based on its approach.
CelluAir, an Australia-based antiviral mask material developer spun out of Queensland University of Technology, has spun out with support from commercialisation-focused incubator Innovyz, SciTechDaily has reported. The company claims its material can filter nanoparticles smaller than coronavirus, and, having completed early testing, now plans to expedite its concept toward production.
