Xeros – scoops major awards on both sides of the Atlantic
Ground-Breaking Commercial Laundry System Wins a Prestigious Edison Award in the USA and Is Named University Spin-Out of the Year at the UK New Energy & Cleantech Awards:
MANCHESTER, NH — (Marketwired) — 05/02/14 — Polymer bead-cleaning pioneer Xeros has won two prestigious awards, on different sides of the Atlantic in a single evening.
The company won Bronze in the Energy/Sustainability category for its virtually waterless commercial laundry system at the Edison Awards 2014 in San Francisco, CA (one of the most prestigious accolades a company can receive in innovation and business).
In addition Xeros was named University Spin-Out of the Year in the New Energy & Cleantech Awards 2014, in London, which recognize companies that have played a pivotal role in the development of the green energy and cleantech industries.
Read more here
Symetrica – RadSeeker DNDO order
$10.2 million in RadSeeker orders from Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO)
DANBURY, Conn., April 16, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Smiths Detection today announces a $10.2 million order from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) office for its next-generation, self-calibrating radiation detection system, RadSeeker.
Fred Facemire, Director of Technology, Smiths Detection said: “RadSeeker’s efficiency in identifying real threats and reliability makes it the right tool to help protect our nation’s borders. The low cost of ownership combined with Smiths Detection’s globally-recognized training and service support make RadSeeker an excellent overall value for the Department of Homeland Security and our other customers.”
– See more here
Revolymer – funding award
Revolymer PLC said Monday that it had won a GBP500,000 funding award from the UK government’s Technology Strategy Board as part of a consortium that will develop a new sustainable coating designed to prevent marine organisms from accumulating on vessels and underwater structures.
Portfolio company – Xeros – successful IPO
We are delighted to announce that Xeros, a Parkwalk portfolio company, successfully listed on AIM on the 25th March 2014.
Parkwalk first invested in October 2010, at 33.0p per share equivalent (26.4p net of initial tax relief), and the IPO price of 123p represents a 4.65x tax-free return for our investors in a little over three years. At this level, this exit alone would return more to investors than their entire subscription into the Parkwalk Fund I.
Meanwhile, another portfolio company, Horizon Discovery, is also listing on AIM later this week (as highlighted in the Daily Telegraph here) – this should also show a significant uplift for our investors.
Xeros – Intention to float on AIM
Announcement of Intention to Float on AIM
Xeros, the innovative developer of a patented polymer bead cleaning system with multiple identified commercial applications, today announces its intention to raise funds and to apply for the admission of ordinary shares to trading on AIM (the “Admission”). Jefferies International Limited is acting for Xeros in relation to the proposed Admission. Admission to trading on AIM is expected to take place in March 2014.
John Samuel, Chairman
John joined Xeros as Chairman in September 2011. John has previously held a number of senior finance positions and was formerly the CEO of the Molnlycke Health Care Group as well as a former partner with Apax Partners LLP. John is also the Chairman at Tissue Regenix, FrosundaOmsorg and Vernacare.
Charles Winward
Charles was appointed to the Xeros Board in October 2010. Charles is a Director of IP Group plc having joined in April 2007 to manage investments in Top Technology Ventures, the Group’s venture capital fund management subsidiary. Charles previously worked at JPMorgan Chase & Co and as an Investment Manager at Axiomlab, an AIM-listed early stage investment specialist. Charles is a CFA charterholder, has an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bristol.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This announcement which has been prepared by, and is the sole responsibility of, the Directors of Xeros Limited has been approved for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by Jefferies International Limited (“Jefferies”), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Xeros
FT: UK firm launches domestic near-waterless washing machine
Xeros, which claims its near waterless washing machine is the first genuine innovation in laundry for 60 years, is close to launching a domestic model in the US.
The Rotherham-based company intends to raise fresh capital to start production after selling commercial versions to a string of customers in the US and UK, with a public offering one option being looked at by Jefferies, the investment bank.
Aqdot
Highlighted in the FT: Oxbridge: Aqdot Selected UK Tech stocks causing a stir
Founded: 2012
Founders: Roger Coulston and Jing Zhang
Employees: 10
What they do: Make capsules for storing and releasing chemicals
Who they want to be: The next Bayer
Total funding: £1m
When you swallow a pill you probably care more about the ingredients that are inside than the casing that holds them in. But such “encapsulation” will be a $40bn market in 2015, say the founders of Aqdot – a company founded by researchers at Cambridge university.…….. read more
Xeros
Smithsonian Magazine – This Washing Machine Could Be the Next Game-Changing Appliance.
An innovative system that uses stain-sucking plastic beads translates to big savings
When it comes to revolutionary inventions of the 20th century, electric washing machines are right up there with automobiles and personal computers. With the press of a button, a load of laundry that had once taken in excess of four hours to clean was reduced to a 40-minute automated process. Some economists have even credited the time-saving appliance with precipitating the rise of women in the workforce during the 1950s, as homemakers were suddenly freed up to take up other pursuits….. read more
Xeros
Daily Express: Green washing machine invention puts rivals in a spin
THE British maker of a revolutionary green washing machine using nylon beads largely to replace water and detergent has now set its sights on the leather and textile processing industries……
Xeros
Yorkshire Post: Xeros gets ready to clean up by washing clothes hi-tech way
Revolymer
Revolymer CEO to leave at end of January
LONDON (Alliance News) – Polymer technology company Revolymer plc on Monday said Chief Executive Roger Pettman will leave at the end of the month as he seeks to launch other new ventures.
“Dr Pettman’s particular expertise within Revolymer has been in the establishment of the business, having identified the business model of using novel polymers to improve the performance of existing consumer products. He is now looking forward to working on establishing other new ventures” the company said in a statement.
Revolymer Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary Rob Cridland will become acting CEO while the company seeks a permanent replacement for Pettman.
Xeros
Sunday Times: Waterless washing machine maker joins float cycle
Xeros
Xeros has won UK Sector Product of the Year and Xeros Chief executive Bill Westwater has been named as UK CEO of the Year in the highly competitive Cleantech category in the Business Excellence Awards 2013.
The Acquisition International Business Excellence Awards identify and honour the most respected companies and their C-level executives, while recognising and rewarding outstanding success, innovation and ethics across international business communities.
The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for outstanding work over the last 12 months. The awards recognise leaders in their respective fields and, crucially, are nominated by their clients and their peers.
Bill Westwater, CEO of Xeros, said “We have a big but simple idea: to convert the traditional world of aqueous washing to Xeros bead cleaning. Our superior cleaning method delivers a whole variety of benefits to people, businesses and the environment.
“The award is a terrific accolade for the team. The last twelve months in particular, have been among the most exciting and challenging for Xeros. Not only did we succeed in raising significant investment to take the business to the next stage, but we also achieved our objective of validating our technology in the States with installations in key segments of the market. We are now well placed to accelerate our journey towards changing the way the world cleans its clothes, forever.”
Xeros
Xeros wins Clean-Tech UK sector product of the year and Xeros Chief executive Bill Westwater has been named as UK CEO of the Year in the highly competitive Cleantech category in the Business Excellence Awards 2013.
The Acquisition International Business Excellence Awards identify and honour the most respected companies and their C-level executives, while recognising and rewarding outstanding success, innovation and ethics across international business communities.
The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for outstanding work over the last 12 months. The awards recognise leaders in their respective fields and, crucially, are nominated by their clients and their peers.
Bill Westwater, CEO of Xeros, said “We have a big but simple idea: to convert the traditional world of aqueous washing to Xeros bead cleaning. Our superior cleaning method delivers a whole variety of benefits to people, businesses and the environment.
“The award is a terrific accolade for the team. The last twelve months in particular, have been among the most exciting and challenging for Xeros. Not only did we succeed in raising significant investment to take the business to the next stage, but we also achieved our objective of validating our technology in the States with installations in key segments of the market. We are now well placed to accelerate our journey towards changing the way the world cleans its clothes, forever.”
AQDOT
Parkwalk closes investment in AQDOT for the University of Cambridge Enterprise Fund I
AQDOT‘s technology allows for an energy- and raw material-efficient way of manufacturing microcapsules, leading to lower energy consumption and less waste.
Potential applications include encapsulating enzymes in laundry detergents, or encapsulating fertilisers in the agrochemical sector. Microencapsulation is a multi-billion-per-annum industry with established applications in household and personal care, food and agrochemical markets.
Surrey NanoSystems
‘Super black’ coating to revolutionise aerospace industry?
UK firm Surrey NanoSystems has utilised its know-how in nanotechnology processing to deposit the world’s blackest material on lightweight, temperature-sensitive substrates.
Revolymer
Awarded contract to supply nicotine gum:
Revolymer plc (“Revolymer”) (AIM: REVO), the British polymer technology company, is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a contract to supply its nicotine gum to a Canadian retailer. The deal is for an initial period of 2 years and is expected to generate revenue at levels that are material to Revolymer’s business during this period. Revolymer has begun manufacture, and the product is scheduled to be on the shelves in Q4 2013. Under the terms of the deal Revolymer will supply a number of stock-keeping units of nicotine gum in different flavours and formats, including a new ‘handy pack’.
“We are delighted to have been awarded this contract. This deal provides commercial validation to the application of our technologies to the nicotine gum market, and we look forward to both procuring reorders from the client and building on this achievement in other territories in due course,” said Roger Pettman Chief Executive Officer of Revolymer.
According to Euromonitor, the global nicotine replacement therapy (“NRT”) smoking cessation aids market totalled US$2.3 billion in 2011, of which nicotine chewing gum is the largest segment contributing 54 per cent. or US$1.3 billion. Other smaller categories include inhalers, lozenges and patches. Between 2006 and 2011 the global NRT nicotine gum market grew at a CAGR of 3.8 per cent. Europe (including Eastern Europe) accounted for 40 per cent. and North America 43 per cent of this market in 2011. About a fifth of the nicotine gum market worldwide is accounted for by private or white label products, with the balance from global brands such as Nicorette and Nicotinell.
Symetrica
Parkwalk closes investment in Symetrica for the UK Tech Fund IV & ZeroND Fund.
Symetrica specializes in the detection and identification of radioisotopes for Security Applications.
The company works with prime contractors and government agencies to design, develop, test and deploy detection equipment for use by law enforcement personnel, customs officers, the emergency services, military personnel and first responders.
