|
|
|
 |
| What we do | How to apply | About us | News | Events | Clients | Contact Us | | HOME | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Latest News |
|
£300K seed funding for Wirral Carbon Monoxide testing company - 18th September 2007  Picture shows L-R Beverley Jenkins and John Stones (Detectagas) with Mike Bakewell (Liverpool Seed Fund) A company that has developed a unique means of testing Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors has been backed by Merseyside Special Investment Fund’s Liverpool Seed Fund. Detectagas based on the Wirral has invented a patented method to test sensors in domestic CO detectors. A harmless gas mixture is sprayed onto the detector which is then covered in a shroud to hold the gas. This ensures gas exposure is at the level and time period required for the sensor to trigger the alarm which, unlike a fire alarm which sounds the instant it sense smoke, takes samples of air over a period of minutes to avoid false alarms. Around 150 people a year in the UK die from CO poisoning and low level exposure to the gas through faulty devices is linked to a variety of illnesses including ME and Alzheimer’s as well as foetal abnormalities. MSIF’s Seed Fund has invested £300k to fund further development of the business and Alliance and Leicester commercial bank has also provided support. Liverpool Ventures has advised Detectagas throughout the funding process and will continue to work with the company. Detectagas was set up in 2005 and is run by directors John Stones and Beverley Jenkins. The company has recently relocated from North Wales to new offices in Birkenhead. Managing director John Stones said “The test button on most CO detectors checks the alarm bell but doesn’t test the sensor which has a limited life of around five years. Around six million detectors are currently fitted in UK homes and approximately 80 million throughout the USA. As currently the sensors are not tested it could mean that some do not work. The test costs just £1.30 per alarm and only needs to be carried out annually. “We are already in talks with a major UK gas service provider and also with Home Depot Supply which is part of the largest DIY retailer in the USA. “ “The support from Liverpool Ventures and the Liverpool Seed Fund has been crucial to developing the business and we are delighted to move to Merseyside” Liverpool Seed Fund investment manager Mike Bakewell said “no other test like this exists and Detectagas has already received a lot of interest. We believe that there is already a considerable global market and expect the business to do very well. “ Peter Leather, a consultant at Liverpool Ventures said; “Detectagas has already been recognised at the Millennium Products award for its innovation. The company is run by a strong management team and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them. “ Detectagas anticipate significant growth and expect to double its workforce over the next 12 months. For more information visit www.detectagas.com Ends For further information contact Gillian Hunt at Liverpool Ventures 0151 482 5533 *Alliance Fund Managers (AFM) is regulated by the FSA in the course of investment business Back to Previous
|
|
 |
 |
|
Liverpool Ventures
5th Floor, Cunard Building, Pier Head Liverpool L3 1DS Tel: 0151 236 0500 | 0151 236 4040 Fax: 0151 236 3060 email: info@liverpoolventures.com |
 |
 |