The technology company received £500,000 in funding from the Foresight Scottish Growth Fund. The fund is financed by the Scottish Growth Scheme through a combination of Scottish Government funds and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The investment was part of a larger £3.3 million round led by Foresight Williams Technology EIS Fund, which invested £1.5 million, alongside £1.3 million from existing shareholders including Par Equity, Kelvin Capital, Gabriel Investments the University of the West of Scotland, and the Scottish Investment Bank, the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise.

Novosound was established in 2018 by Dave Hughes, CTO, and Richard Cooper, CEO, as a spin-out from the University of the West of Scotland, where Hughes invented its core IP during his time as a Research Fellow. Cooper brings industry expertise as a successful technology entrepreneur.

Ultrasound sensors produce sound waves with frequencies above human range which transmit through an object to measure or image internal features. Commonly known for its use in maternity wards and other hospital departments, ultrasound imaging is also extensively applied in industrial settings as a safe Non-Destructive Testing (“NDT”) technique for revealing below-surface deformities, cracks or corrosion.

Utilising the latest thin film deposition techniques, Novosound’s patented innovation represents a turning point for ultrasound sensor technology. Operating in a high growth market valued at £35 billion, the Company has developed a unique thin-film core material which eliminates limitations associated with existing ultrasound sensor solutions.

The investment will allow the company to match fund a £1.0 million R&D grant for product development from Scottish Enterprise and pursue its ambitious expansion plans into global markets and new industries.

The Company will draw on Foresight’s track record of supporting the growth of early-stage, innovative technology companies, and Williams’ extensive expertise in ultrasound NDT techniques currently applied by its F1 team.

Graeme McKinstry, investment manager at Foresight, said: “Novosound is an excellent example of the talent and innovation coming out of universities in Scotland. We are delighted to have the opportunity to support entrepreneurs in the region and invest into early-stage innovative Scottish businesses through the Foresight Scottish Growth Fund in partnership with Foresight Williams Technology EIS Fund.

The highly disruptive technology developed by the company has global market application with the potential to contribute to increased productivity with applications across many industries including oil and gas and infrastructure. The investment will also enable the Company to pursue opportunities in untapped markets such as healthcare and wearables.”

Dave Hughes, founder and CTO of Novosound, added: “This investment is really exciting for the team at Novosound as it will help us scale our operations and launch our advanced sensors for industrial monitoring and inspection. We are delighted to be working with the team at Foresight and Williams who have proved themselves thus far as the ideal partners for our growing technology business.”