Advancing mobile communication technology
K-Vector
A team of University of Birmingham researchers who developed a ‘beam-steering’ antenna that increases the efficiency of data transmission of the ‘pencil beams’ required at very high radio frequencies—known as ‘millimetre wave’ (mmWave)—are fundraising to spin-out their company, K-Vector.
The team from the University’s School of Engineering started to commercialise its research as an Operating Division within the University of Birmingham Enterprise, and is progressing towards spin-out after hiring a strong commercial lead, Henry Nurser, as an advisor.
Mr Nurser has decades of experience in semiconductor design and manufacturing, and launched a mmWave communications company in 2011. Having worked in both corporate and start-up worlds, he now serves as an advisor to several start-ups. At K-Vector, he will help the research team validate its ideas and assess market competition.
The University of Birmingham has recognised that academics have fantastic ideas, but often don’t have the depth of industrial or business experience required. So they’re taking an enlightened approach to bringing in people with commercial experience to help validate their spin-out’s commercial propositions.
K-Vector’s antenna exploits metamaterials to enable very efficient continuous ‘wide-angle’ beam steering to track moving objects in the same way that a satellite dish can. The technology significantly improves data transmission efficiency across the mmWave spectrum—the band above 30 gigahertz where 5G, 6G and other emerging communications applications will live. The technology has both consumer and military applications, including within satellite communications, conventional telco networks, and radar says Mr Nurser.
Enterprise has worked with the academic founders from the beginning, with support from Entrepreneur-in-Residence John Cooke. K-Vector researchers participated in the Medici training course and the ICURe incubator programme, and the IPaC team has assisted with patenting the K-Vector technology. “They’ve been very supportive about ensuring that the patent position is kept clean, and are helping with creating a website and a launch mechanism,” says Mr Nurser.
K-Vector is ensuring its IP is secure before progressing with a spin-out. It is in active discussion with several regional and national investors, including Midlands Mindforge, a new patient capital investment company founded by the University of Birmingham and seven other research-intensive universities.