Our Investments

Access Management Systems Ltd have created a range of high technology locking systems including "Cyberlock" which allows control of who has access and when they have access.  They are a simple replacement for almost all locks and can be used in high security applications such as prisons.  Amazingly the lock requires no wiring or power source and can be deployed easily and controlled via the internet. Other products include innovative time and attendance recording systems and biometric access control.

IPI Solutions Ltd launched their VisualFAIR^® software in January 2006 to manage the complex system of First Article Inspection Reports used within the aerospace industry supply chain to provide traceability for components and replacing the existing fragmented and inefficient systems. An investment from AEGF is helping to fund expansion into the automotive and medical sectors which have similar requirements.

Handy Group Ltd designs, builds, supports and maintains applications for the mobile internet allowing access to a client’s main internet database from any mobile handset.  The ability to undertake the entire transaction including taking payment, makes the system attractive for booking hotels, hire cars and flights.  The system is already used by Holiday Extras, Cosmos, Hertz and Hotels4U.
 

Cellfacts instruments Ltd have a patented method of rapidly counting individual bacteria and yeasts present in samples of food, drink and a range of industrial processes.  Traditional culture methods take several days to produce results, by which time foodstuffs such as fruit juice will already be in the shops.  Rapid and accurate testing allows the use of bactericides to be kept to a minimum and problems to be spotted and dealt with before they get out of hand.  

Self Awareness Holdings Ltd has developed a unique online assessment which allows students and teachers to discover how they prefer to work and learn. The product goes right to the heart of the politically driven personalised learning agenda in 14-19 education. New initiatives require Schools and FE colleges to prove activity and obtain increased results whilst students must stay in some form of education until 18, placing more emphasis on retention. Self Awareness facilitates and informs these key areas under the government spotlight.

eNate Ltd produces the industry’s leading software solution for managing and improving business processes in Business Process Outsourcing (“BPO”) and Shared Service operations.  Using eNate technology BPO and Shared Service suppliers are dramatically reduce service delivery costs and commercial risks. Service Buyers are achieving unprecedented levels of transparency and control of their outsourcing contracts.  

EveryClick.com is a fully featured internet search engine that raises funds for charities.  Many web links are sponsored and clicking on them triggers a small payment to the website that introduced the link.  EveryClick uses this to generate income and undertakes to give half of its revenue to charity.  Users can nominate their favourite charity or allow EveryClick to distribute income between their large number of partner charities.  

Based in Birmingham, Enigma Glass Ltd has developed a method of manufacturing glass tiles at a price competitive to ceramic tiles.  They have also patented a method of producing electrical switches and sockets to match the tiles as well as glass splash backs and work tops.  Future product plans include photo-voltaic solar roof tiles.  

Deregulation of the Forensic Science Service has provided an opportunity for this experienced team to set up a forensic science laboratory and provide an alternative service to law enforcement agencies and trial defendants. Key Forensic Services Ltd has recently achieved full accreditation for each of its areas of expertise and now works with several police forces and other agencies. 

Integrated Ordering Systems Ltd is a management-buy-out.  Their easyquote software includes a database of over 2 million parts and prices for use by independent kitchen and bathroom retailers to produce professional, accurate and rapid sales quotations for the supply of fitted kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. A quotation can be built entirely within the easyquote software or from a drawing imported from any leading CAD application. After the design and quote is agreed the system manages ordering, accounting and other back-office activities to ensure the project is managed efficiently and to budget. Easyquote is already used by hundreds of kitchen, bedroom and bathroom retailers.

Microports.net Ltd trading as Folding Space has developed innovative software for the control and retrieval of data, documents and e-mails across multi server systems.  It is finding particular applications for government bodies seeking to meet their responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act, Health Trusts managing patient records and international accountants and solicitors needing to quickly find documents and emails on related subjects spread across multiple servers. 

Very high frequency Millimetre Wave Modules are integrated circuits that operate at extremely high frequencies (40-200GHz) they are used in security scanners that can see weapons and plastic explosives beneath clothes and have several other important applications. At high frequencies interference between the individual tracks on the chips stop them working. Until now the only solution was to place each chip in a separate metal box and pack it with absorbing material to ‘tune’ it.  Working with QinetiQ, MMIC Solutions Ltd has a patented packaging system which avoids the need for hand tuning and reduces unit size and costs by a factor of 10. 

Software licences are a major cost for many businesses and add considerably to the cost of specially written systems. Open source software challenges this by being free. Openscape Ltd are a 'centre of excellence' for the use of open source software and with several 'blue-chip' clients they have developed software for several ‘vertical markets.

Outdoor Environment Media Ltd find and develop potential outdoor poster advertising sites including obtaining planning consent, specifying and erecting the advertising hoarding and letting it out to one of the media agencies hat place advertising space with the marketing departments of major corporations.  The main industry players no longer bother to find their own sites and tend to build their portfolio by acquisition, this provides OEM with an obvious exit strategy.

New legislation requires the fitting of tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to 25 million new cars a year in the USA.  Existing systems require batteries but with the help of EU funding and PERA, Piezotag Ltd have developed and patented a TPMS unit that generates its own piezoelectricity as the tyre rotates and deforms.  Piezotag should be cheaper &more effective and is probably several years ahead of the competition. 

EPI International Ltd has developed the PIPES consulting methodology that enables clients to improve their profitability. PIPES is provided through more than 50 licensed consultants and has been used with over 200 clients.  The PIPES system which is contained in a series of operating manuals has now being computerised into ‘ePIPES’ and a network of franchised consultants is now being recruited.

Reynolds Cycles have been famous for well over 100 years as the manufacturer of lightweight 'butted' steel tubing for bicycle frames. Since a management buy-out in 2000, Reynolds has pioneered the use of high performance materials for the top end of the cycle market, using steel, aluminium, titanium and magnesium. The company has recently changed its name to Reynolds Technology Ltd, reflecting a diversification into non cycle markets.

Synchro Ltd have developed a comprehensive ‘4D’ project management system which brings the benefits of spatial awareness, "just-in-time" material control and the real time collaboration of all suppliers and contractors to the management of large complex construction projects. Built to conform with the emerging ‘Building Information Model’ industry standard, Synchro is capable of importing 3D CAD designs and using these as a basis for time, cost and space planning and project management.

Malvern Translations Ltd t/a Translution have produced an add-in for Microsoft Office that allows emails and attachments to be automatically translated to and from several different languages. So you can write an email in English and send it to colleagues in France, Italy, Germany and Spain and they will each receive it in their chosen language. Innovative techniques allow the software to learn which of many different meanings you normally attach to words like 'chip' and identify corporate terms that are not to be translated.

VFM Retail Radio Ltd provide music and point-of-sale advertising for shopping centres via their existing PA system. With a weekly audience of well over 5 million they now have a larger audience than any UK commercial radio station.

Wapple.net Ltd has developed a technology solution making it simple to produce powerful internet sites designed to be viewed on a mobile phone or PDA. Their ‘USP’ is their ability to detect the type of mobile device the viewer is using and change the display to make the best use of the limited display capabilities available. Mobile internet access is an underused but rapidly growing market sector with many applications that are well suited to the patented Wapple technology.

Electronic Health Media Ltd provide an end to end screen advertising solution across the NHS; displaying dynamic health information direct to patients, visitors and staff in Hospitals and GP practices. National, regional and local advertisers utilise the EHM network of screens to promote products and services to a huge audience of NHS users.  EHM is currently running campaigns with leading pharmaceutical companies raising awareness of COPD,Cervical Cancer and other major health issues.

Medical Devices Technology International Ltd work with the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency to exploit simple but effective medical devices invented by staff working within the NHS. Products are sold to the NHS and around the world and the NHS receives a royalty An example is Hook-it a family of drip hooks invented by a nursing practitioner to replace conventional metal drip stands around hospital beds and improve the handling of fluid bags.

Neowave Distribution (UK) Ltd sell innovative telecommunications solutions, currently in three distinct divisions: Door entry systems, communications solutions and ‘TXTel’. Door entry systems provide telephone access control without the need for rewiring. Communications solutions provide a way of using your mobile phone as if it was an office switchboard extension but from anywhere in the world and allow low cost calls to mobile phones, whilst TXTel is an innovative way of improving call centre performance and customer satisfaction by allowing a simple text message to result in a call from the call centre within 6 minutes.

Faveo Ltd have invented a revolutionary new design of backless and strapless bra suitable for larger ladies.  By adopting a radical new approach to the engineering problems associated with bra design, Faveo’s patented products meet the demands of an important market sector that no competitor can currently address.  With support from AEGF the company has re-located to Tamworth and plans a high profile public launch of the product in the summer of 2007.

Aldridge based Instock Hardware Ltd manufactured and distributed door furniture and architectural ironmongery under its own brand ADORE and others. It supplied door furniture, locks, door closures and racking to major builders merchant groups, architectural ironmongers, architects and contractors.The business was sold to a trade buyer in November 2007.

Ephex Media Ltd is a multimedia production company with its own studio and post production facilities based in rural Warwickshire.  It was formed in October 2004 whilst the founders were in their final year at the University of Warwick, following on from their work on the University’s own TV station. On graduating in June 2006, the business moved to its current location, renting space & facilities from Oakslade Studio.  The Fund’s investment helped in the purchase of the studios and the development of a diverse trading base.  The company has an impressive list of clients for which it has produced corporate videos including Vodaphone, Landrover and Massey Fergusson.

Modern oil well drilling techniques require a constant stream of data to be relayed back to the rig from the bottom of the hole during drilling to achieve maximum control and efficiency. PolyComm Ltd has been established to exploit patented technology to develop the next generation of ‘down hole’ power supplies and communication equipment allowing drilling over longer distances and at higher temperatures.