Zero Point Motion: Transforming Motion Sensing with £4M Funding Round
Deal News | Mar 18, 2025 | Foresight Group
Bristol-based Zero Point Motion, a leader in sensor technology, has secured a £4 million pre-Series A funding round to enhance motion sensing technology. The firm is backed by investors such as Foresight Group, SCVC, Verve Ventures, and u-blox AG. This funding will facilitate the scale-up and expansion of Zero Point Motion as it brings next-generation, volume-manufacturable positioning and navigation sensors to various sectors, including defense and autonomous systems. Pioneering a unique fusion of silicon photonics and MEMS inspired by Nobel Prize-winning gravitational wave detection, the company aims to offer ultra-sensitive, cost-effective miniaturized sensors. These sensors promise significant advancements in GPS-challenged environments, benefiting industries like space exploration and agriculture. The startup has also attracted major government and EU funding, contributing to its rapid development. With a history of innovation and strategic partnerships, Zero Point Motion sets its sights on product qualification and customer deployment as its technology transforms the precision positioning landscape.
Sectors
- Sensor Technology
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
- Defense and Aerospace
- Autonomous Vehicles
Geography
- United Kingdom – Zero Point Motion is based in Bristol, UK, and has received funding from the UK Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.
- Europe – The company has secured a grant from the European Innovation Council Accelerator program, indicating its operations and impact in Europe.
Industry
- Sensor Technology – The article discusses advancements in sensor technology through Zero Point Motion's work in motion sensing, particularly using MEMS and silicon photonics.
- Private Equity & Venture Capital – Foresight Group's involvement in funding indicates the participation of venture capital and private equity in the development of the high-tech sector.
- Defense and Aerospace – The technology mentioned in the article is highly applicable to defense and aerospace industries, promising breakthroughs in navigation and positioning.
- Autonomous Vehicles – Zero Point Motion's technology is set to enhance autonomy in various vehicles, indicating the relevance to the autonomous vehicle sector.
Financials
- £4 million – The total amount raised by Zero Point Motion in the pre-Series A funding round.
- £1.3 million – Funding received from the UK’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles in 2023.
- £2.4 million – A grant received from the European Innovation Council Accelerator program.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Zero Point Motion | Target | Company | A Bristol-based startup focused on developing advanced motion sensing technology. |
Foresight Group | Investor | Company | A private equity firm managing over £12 billion in assets, investing in Zero Point Motion's funding round. |
SCVC (Science Creates Ventures) | Investor | Company | The investment arm of Science Creates, supporting Zero Point Motion with venture capital. |
Verve Ventures | Investor | Company | A venture capital firm investing in the funding round for Zero Point Motion. |
u-blox AG | Strategic Partner | Company | A seed round investor and strategic partner to Zero Point Motion, offering positioning and wireless communication technologies. |
Dr. Ying Lia Li | Founder and CEO | Person | The founder and CEO of Zero Point Motion, a physicist guiding the company's innovative sensor technology. |
Chris Wiles | Director, Foresight Ventures | Person | Part of Foresight's team leading the investment in Zero Point Motion. |
Harry Destecroix MBE | Founder, SCVC | Person | Leading SCVC's investment in Zero Point Motion and co-founder of Science Creates. |
Andreas Thiel | Cofounder and Executive Director, u-blox AG | Person | Cofounder of u-blox AG, a strategic partner in Zero Point Motion's growth. |
John Williams | Investment Partner | Person | Part of the investment team from SCVC, closely working with Zero Point Motion based on his industry experience. |