Canberra-born technology company Liquid Instruments has this week announced more than $11 million (US$8.16M) has been invested in their growing business.
Liquid Instruments was started by a team of physicists and engineers at The Australian National University. The team's research on precision laser measurements has been adapted to produce a new product called Moku:Lab, an advanced electrical test equipment platform.
The lead investor, US-based Anzu Partners, a venture capital and private equity firm that invests in breakthrough industrial technologies.
Professor Daniel Shaddock, CEO of Liquid Instruments, said the new investment will be used to accelerate product development and expand into new markets.
"Billions of dollars of this type of test and measurement equipment is sold every year to scientists and engineers working in research and industrial labs for electronics manufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace and defence applications," Professor Shaddock said.
"Moku:Lab delivers the equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars in separate equipment for a fraction of the cost and lab space and significantly better efficiency and accuracy."
"Moku:Lab has a suite of precision instruments, mobile form factor, and a modern user interface to improve the efficiency and accuracy of data collection and analysis."
Liquid Instruments began making Moku:Labs in a small storeroom at the ANU. Four years and millions of dollars of sales later, the devices are now made by top tier manufacturing partner VS Industry.
"VS has a close relationship with several companies in Canberra and is excited to support Liquid Instruments as they begin to scale their production," Sean Gan Pee Yong of VS Industry said.
ANU Vice-Chancellor and Nobel-prize winning physicist Professor Brian Schmidt AC said Liquid Instruments is a leading example of the commercial benefits of scientific research.
"This technology was originally developed to detect gravitational waves in one of the most sensitive measurement devices ever constructed. Now Professor Shaddock and his team are sharing this tech with the scientists and engineers of the world to help unlock the next wave of great discoveries," Professor Schmidt said.
About Liquid Instruments
Liquid Instruments develops precise test and measurement equipment that enables scientists, engineers, and students to acquire data, generate signals, and control their experiments. The company's flagship product, Moku:Lab, integrates 12 unique instruments into a single, compact hardware device. For more information, please visit https://liquidinstruments.com.
About Anzu Partners
Anzu Partners is a venture capital and private equity firm that invests in breakthrough industrial technologies. Anzu teams with entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize technological innovations by providing capital and deep expertise in business development, market positioning, global connectivity, and operations. For more information, please visit https://anzupartners.com. On Twitter: @anzupartners.
About ANU Connect Ventures
ANU Connect Ventures manages two funds: The Discovery Translation Fund which aims to support research with commercial potential from The Australian National University, the University of Canberra and Charles Sturt University in undertaking crucial proof-of-concept work; and the $37 million Seed Investment fund for the ANU-MTAA Super Venture Capital Partnership. For more information, please visit: http://www.anuconnectventures.com.au.
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