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Toumaz Technology Set For Expansion After Attracting £1.5 Million Investment

April 07, 2004

Toumaz Technology Ltd, a developer of advanced semiconductors, has attracted an investment of £1.5 million from Gennum Corporation, Canada. Toumaz Technology is a spin-out company from Imperial College, London whose ultra low-power (AMx™) Advanced Mixed Signal technology could transform the whole concept of battery operated and mobile products, and has wide applications in a range of devices in healthcare, consumer, security and automotive markets. Toumaz was the first company to move into Culham Innovation Centre, Oxfordshire in 2001, and is now set to expand to premises for 35 people at Milton Park.

Keith Errey, Chief Executive Officer of Toumaz Technology, said:
"Our technology enables the production of semiconductor devices that use significantly less power, and are much smaller and neater. We are delighted to have secured this investment from Gennum Corporation. We have been working with Gennum to develop leading-edge digital wireless platform technology, and have a strong product pipeline. For example, we are developing a tiny radio that fits inside a hearing aid and produces CD quality sound from a single hearing aid battery. This miniscule device connects hearing impaired users to the world they used to know, and is scheduled to go into production in 2005.

We are also developing tiny sensor networks for medical applications as part of the DTI's Next Wave Markets & Technologies Initiative. These devices can fit inside a sticking plaster, enabling the production of instant wireless sensor reports on the physical state of patients. We are also working on low-powered devices for security applications, a family of chips for digital broadcasting and tiny chips for wireless headsets on mobile phones that produce higher quality sound and need much less power than the devices that are currently available."

Mr Errey praised the role of Culham Innovation Centre in Toumaz's growth:
"Culham Innovation Centre has been crucial to the success of Toumaz. It provides the flexibility that growing companies need, and good business support services. We moved in as two people and have expanded three times to larger offices within the Centre. The flexible letting terms, and excellent organisation by the on-site management team, meant that each move had minimal impact on our business. There is also access to networks and events, which provide valuable contacts. Our ambition is to be the biggest and best semiconductor company to come out of the UK, and being based at Culham Innovation Centre has given us the best possible start."

Barbara Allsworth, Manager of Culham Innovation Centre, said:
"Culham Innovation Centre is one of 11 innovation centres operated by Oxford Innovation across the UK. Toumaz Technology is a classic example of the kind of innovative, technology-based companies that succeed and grow in our centres. Toumaz has expanded from two to 20 people in Culham Innovation Centre and we are pleased to see that they are now progressing to their next stage of growth at Milton Park."

Culham Innovation Centre is part of Southern Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub, one of SEEDA's network of enterprise hubs.

Oxford Centre For Innovation