July investment in emergency responders
Technologies used by emergency responders have attracted significant investment from both US and European investors in July
In the US, PacStar Inc., a provider of total communications solutions to the military and emergency responders closed $12.3m in Series D funding from a syndicate of US backers led by Chart Venture Partners.
In Europe Saab Ventures, the VC arm of Swedish car maker Saab, has acquired a 60% stake in PerformIT Systems AB, a Swedish developer of software for the emergency services. Saab Ventures invests in small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) with innovative technologies relevant to Saab's core business. The investment in PerformIT, a fast growing profitable company with turnover of approximately 15 MSEK, is in line with Saab's mission to be a significant supplier of technical systems to the First Responder market.
Also in Sweden, DataPath, Inc., a leading provider of satellite and wireless communications networks, announced the completion of the acquisition of SWE-DISH Satellite Systems AB, a Stockholm-based, designer and manufacturer of portable and transportable satellite communication (SATCOM) systems. SWE-DISH's customers include U.S. military organizations; German, British, Japanese and Swedish defense ministries; and leading global broadcasters. The technology has important disaster recovery applications in remote regions where communication is essential but access to ground infrastructure is impossible.
Elsewhere in Europe, Nanotron Technologies GmbH, a leading provider of location-aware wireless solutions based in Berlin, announced that it had secured a Euro10m funding round led by London-based CleanTech investor Zouk Ventures Ltd. Zouk joins the Nanotron investor syndicate comprising Polytechnos, Danfoss and IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft - VC Fonds Berlin.
Based on its patented Chirp transmission system Nanotron has developed energy efficient transceiver chips, which provide a reliable communication and location capability. These chips have important applications in disaster management scenarios enabling the tracking of emergency personnel in hazardous environments. Personnel can be monitored remotely using active RFID tags as they enter an emergency zone with information including location and distress signals transmitted back to base stations securely and reliably.
This investment will enable Nanotron to continue its international growth as well as supporting additional product development. The company plans to capitalize on its current success in the key sectors of manufacturing, logistics and healthcare. www.vbresearch.com
