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Science and Technology spin-out company Isis Forensics wins significant investment
Science and Technology spin-out company Isis Forensics has secured significant investment from The North West Fund for Venture Capital and Lancashire County Council's Rosebud Fund. Isis Forensics was founded by CEO Dr James Walkerdine in 2007 and is based in InfoLab21.
The company is an international digital forensics company which specialises in developing solutions to protect individuals and assist law enforcement with digital investigations.
Their links with the university, assistance from InfoLab21 and focus on R&D has allowed them to develop cutting edge technologies in the areas of online child protection, language analysis and online conversation modelling. Solutions include a mobile phone child protection app 'ChildDefence', which made international headlines when it was released. Isis Forensics has also worked closely with law enforcement to develop a language analysis toolkit which has recently attracted significant investment, highlighting the potential of the technologies.
CEO Dr James Walkerdine explains "Language analysis software can play an important role in protecting children online. The technology we have developed has the potential for use by website operators, internet service providers, law enforcement agencies and children themselves. We began looking at funding opportunities in the summer of 2011, spent 10 months working with Enterprise Ventures to further develop our business plan and to put together a strong management team to drive the company forward. We finally secured the investment in July this year. This investment will allow us to further develop products and also enable access to the technology for other markets. We are seeking new partnership and welcome inquiries."
The deal is the first joint investment by The North West Fund for Venture Capital and Rosebud, both of which are managed by Enterprise Ventures.
Douglas Stellman, investment director at EV, said: "We are delighted to have been able to work with Lancaster University to secure significant funding for this exciting new technology company, and to have helped bring about the first joint investment by the Rosebud Fund and The North West Fund for Venture Capital. It shows how regional funds can work together to support emerging businesses with the potential to address global export markets."
Lancashire County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning, said: "Rosebud and the North West Fund are working to support companies in Lancashire, especially ones that can show high growth potential. Universities have an important role in creating a sustainable economy through high level skills and innovation. It's important that we support universities across the county to encourage emerging businesses and new ideas."
As part of the funding round, the company have been able to appoint a non-executive chairman Patrick Jolly, a former director of SurfControl plc.
Latest News
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Story supplied by LU Press Office
Fri 22 February 2013
Eco-innovation businesses invited to attend pioneering project launch
Ambitious North West SMEs keen to drive forward eco-innovative ideas and products are invited to a major event in Manchester on March 4.
Story supplied by LU Press Office
Thu 21 February 2013
First Science and Technology Business Partnerships and Enterprise Annual Report 2011-2012 available to download now
2011-2012 saw the development of a new theme-based strategy for Business Partnerships and Enterprise in Science and Technology. The seven interdisciplinary themes are: Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, Environment, Health and Human Development, Information and Communication Technologies, Quantum Technology and Security. Each theme has dedicated professional staff to work with businesses and source the expertise they need.
Tue 19 February 2013
Lancaster University Coffeemat Challenge won by Science and Technology student Seb
The concept of a new university website, complete with mobile application, to capture the campus social scene at a glance, earned an enterprising student an iPad.
Story supplied by LU Press Office
Tue 19 February 2013