Forefront RF, a Cambridge-based fabless semiconductor company, has secured £3.75 million follow-on investment from BGF, a capital investor in the UK and Ireland (also backed Desana).
The investment is part of a £6.7 million round alongside existing investors Science Creates Ventures and Foresight Group.
The company will use the funds to capitalise on industry trends and take advantage of global market dynamics to drive further growth.
Making devices simpler and more accessible
Founded by Dr. Leo Laughlin and Julian Hildersley in 2020, Forefront RF aims to make multi-band smartphones, wearables, and IoT Devices simpler to design and more globally accessible.
Forefront RF, which originated from the University of Bristol’s academic research, has created a one-of-a-kind technology called Adaptive Passive Cancellation.
This innovative technology utilises software control to ensure that connected devices can operate seamlessly across a wider range of XGen mobile telephony frequency bands (ranging from 3G to 6G), eliminating the necessity for multiple switched SAW and BAW crystal filters.
This breakthrough has commercialised academic research and has the potential to revolutionise the mobile telecommunications industry.
In addition to the investment, Forefront RF is launching a fully Tunable Duplexer using its patented adaptive passive cancellation technology.
The demonstrator, specifically designed for the 600-1000MHz bands, will show Forefront RF’s Tunable Duplexer technology suitable for the 4G and 5G standards.
Ronald Wilting, CEO, of Forefront RF, remarked: “We’re delighted to receive further investment from BGF to support the delivery of the next stage of Forefront RF’s growth strategy. Forefront RF is well positioned to capitalise on strong global growth prospects, addressing an industry-wide challenge with our cutting-edge technology.”
Phil O’Donovan, Chair of Forefront RF, added: “Forefront RF has built an experienced and highly specialised team to bring its pioneering technology to market. We are excited to embark on this next chapter of the company’s mission and are grateful to our investment partners for their continued support.”
Dennis Atkinson, the investor at BGF, commented: “Forefront RF has developed a leading technology solution and highly compelling proposition for a rapidly growing global customer base. We look forward to continuing our work with Ronald and the talented Forefront RF team as they embark on their next stage of growth.”
Harry Destecroix, an investor at Science Creates Ventures, commented: “We’re delighted with the progress Forefront RF has made since our early investment in 2021. It has been great to support the company to date and we look forward to its continued growth and success.”
Bill Yost, the investor at Foresight WAE Technology Funds, commented: “Forefront RF’s technology has the potential to disrupt a significant market, and we are pleased to support the company in its continuing commercial and technical progress.”
