Oxford Innovation Finance has made a follow-on investment through the Oxford Innovation EIS Growth Fund in Silicon Microgravity (SMG) as part of the company’s recently announced £6 million funding round, continuing its support as SMG advances its technology towards wider commercial deployment.
The funding round, led by West Hill Capital and included investment from the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), will support SMG’s plans to expand its UK manufacturing and engineering capabilities and accelerate commercial partnerships across Europe and the US.
Based in Cambridge, SMG develops advanced microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies for high-performance sensing and navigation. Its proprietary technology enables the production of specialised accelerometers, gyroscopes and gravity sensors designed to operate in demanding environments, with applications across defence, aerospace, space exploration and other sectors requiring precise and reliable sensing.
SMG’s inertial sensors have potential applications in navigation systems where access to GPS may be limited or unavailable, including autonomous operations and space programmes. Its gravity-sensing technology also offers potential for subsurface imaging, helping to identify variations in underground density for applications such as critical mineral exploration and infrastructure development.
As demand grows for advanced sensing technologies and resilient semiconductor supply chains, SMG is working to scale its manufacturing capability and build on commercial interest from international customers and partners. The latest funding is intended to support this next stage of development and strengthen the company’s position in strategically important technology markets.
Francis Neill, CEO of Silicon Microgravity, said: “We’re pleased to have Oxford Innovation Finance continuing to support Silicon Microgravity through this latest investment. Their backing through its EIS Fund in both 2023 and now reflects the progress we’ve made and the opportunity ahead for our technology. The funding will help us expand our engineering and manufacturing capacity in the UK and accelerate commercial deployment across defence, space and other markets where high-performance sensing and navigation are increasingly important.”
Richard Cooper, Managing Director at Oxford Innovation Finance, said: “Silicon Microgravity is developing highly differentiated MEMS technology with the potential to address important challenges in navigation, sensing and subsurface imaging. Since our initial investment in 2023, the company has continued to develop its technology and progress its commercial opportunities. We’re pleased to be investing again as part of this latest funding round, supporting the team as it scales its UK manufacturing capability and brings its technology to a wider range of markets.”
The investment reflects Oxford Innovation Finance’s approach to supporting innovative UK businesses through different stages of development. By investing in SMG for a second time through its EIS Fund, Oxford Innovation Finance is continuing to support the company as it builds on its technical foundations and works towards further commercial growth.