A University of Edinburgh spinout has scooped £275,000 from Scottish Enterprise for its wireless internet technology for rural areas.
Its spectrum aggregation technology creates gigabit long-distance backhaul networks in rural and hard-to-reach locations.
The startup said it will spend the Scottish Enterprise investment on software and hardware development, customer acquisition and manufacturing. The funds come ahead of an expected further seed round.
WhiteHaul told UKTN it is looking for £650,000 to support them through 2024.
Professor Marina, University of Edinburgh, said: “WhiteHaul will play an important role in supporting the UK Government’s ambition to bring gigabit-capable coverage to 85% of the UK by 2025, and close to 100% as soon as possible thereafter.”
WhiteHaul says that current solutions are subject to radio interference, which its wireless internet technology can work around.
The spinout will also explore potential applications in IoT devices and offshore wind turbines.
Jane Martin, MD, innovation and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “WhiteHaul has created a novel solution for connecting rural areas with the potential to bring benefits across Scotland and boost rural economies and it will be exciting to see the team take the company to the next stage as it spins out from Edinburgh Innovations.”
The startup is based on Dr Mohamed Kassem’s PhD work at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Informatics and was overseen by Professor Marina.