A new UK metrology spin-out, K3 Metrology Ltd (K3M), has launched with £2.75 million in seed funding to commercialise its advanced measurement platform, Metralis, developed at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL).
The investment round was led by the Development Bank of Wales, which contributed £1 million, alongside £1 million from Parkwalk and £750,000 from the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S).
Based at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Cymru (AMRC-C) in Broughton, K3 Metrology was founded by former NPL scientists Dr Mike Campbell (CEO) and Professor Ben Hughes (CTO).
Metralis has been designed to address longstanding limitations in conventional measurement systems. Developed in response to direct industry feedback, the platform enables manufacturers to overcome traditional trade-offs between accuracy, speed and scalability.
“For decades, manufacturers have been forced to compromise between accuracy, speed and scalability,” Dr Mike Campbell, CEO of K3 Metrology, said, “Metralis removes that trade-off entirely. This investment enables us to bring a step-change technology to market and support the UK’s most advanced industrial sectors. Developed through years of scientific research at NPL, Metralis delivers real-time, high-accuracy measurement at a scale not previously possible.”
“K3 Metrology demonstrates how publicly funded science can translate into high-value industrial capability for the UK,” added Penny Holt, NPL’s CFO, “Metralis has the potential to improve productivity, strengthen competitiveness and set new standards in large-volume measurement. This investment marks an important milestone in transforming 15 years of research into real-world impact.”
The Development Bank of Wales’ contribution was made through the £500 million Wales Flexible Investment Fund and the £20 million Wales Technology Seed Fund II, which support Welsh businesses with a range of finance options, including equity investments for early-stage technology companies.