SWIF Maven Equity Finance invests in global wireless solutions provider

Blu Wireless has developed innovative 5G mmWave solutions to enable ultra fast connectivity on high speed transport, primarily rail, and improved backhaul provision for private mesh networks. The business aims to solve important connectivity challenges across a range of data intensive applications and complex industries in Defence, High-Speed Transport and Mobility/V2X.  

With a range of products to help future proof network capacity, the business can deliver carrier-grade performance, either stationary or on-the-move at ranges of several kilometres with the unique ability to support Mobility applications at speeds of more than 300 km/h.

The patented mmWave wireless solution for rail networks provides high bandwidth and low latency connectivity from trackside to train. It delivers gigabit data, increased security and cost-effective deployment, utilising the unlicensed frequency band at 57-71 GHz. Its communications network is already being deployed successfully in the high-speed transport market in the US with the CALTRAIN commuter rail line running from San Francisco to San Jose through the heart of the Silicon Valley. In the UK, the technology is being rolled out on the South Western Railway (SWR).

5G is the next generation of mobile and uses very high frequency spectrum to enable rapid data transfer speeds. Global connectivity on rail transport is currently insufficient to meet customer demands  and typical solutions have relied on connecting to existing mobile networks delivering speeds of 100 Mbps. Blu Wireless' system is capable of delivering speeds of up to 3 Gbps per node at >300kph.

Today's transaction, via the South West Investment Fund, will enable Blu Wireless to meet the demand of its growing international customer base and deliver commercial mmWave solutions worldwide. It will also fuel commercialisation of mmWave technology in the rail sector and pave the way for the ‘gigabit train’ in the UK and globally.

“Having the South West Investment Fund, through Maven, invest in Blu Wireless is fantastic for the business and the area and underlines the progress the company has made over the last 24 months.”

Alan Jones, CEO of Blu Wireless

“Blu Wireless has developed a highly defensible and scalable mmWave solution which has the potential to materially improve connectivity on high speed rail transportation. This new investment will enable the company to further commercialise its market leading technology including through the creation of new high quality engineering jobs in the Bristol region. We are pleased to have partnered with Alan and his team, through the South West Investment Fund, and we look forward to supporting them over this next phase of growth.”

Alexander Sleigh, Investment Director at Maven

As Fund Manager of SWIF - Maven Equity Finance, Maven can provide investment up to £5 million to support both earlier and later stage businesses with real growth potential across a range of sectors. If your business, or the business you advise, is looking at equity investment as a solution to fund future growth please click here.