A deep tech startup whose patented technology dramatically improves the performance of GPS chips in smartphones, wearables and vehicles has hired a new CEO and established a base in the US.
Cambridge-based Focal Point Positioning’s US subsidiary will aim to accelerate the commercialisation of its technologies in the mobile, wearables and automotive sectors.
GPS expert Scott Pomerantz brings 30 years of experience in positioning and semiconductors. His company Global Locate won the race to bring GPS to the mass consumer smartphone market, supplying the first GPS chips to companies including Apple and Samsung before being acquired by Broadcom for $250m, including an $80m earn-out, in 2007.
Pomerantz (below) joins FocalPoint at a time of intense growth following a Series B round of investment led by VC firm Draper Esprit.
FocalPoint’s core Supercorrelation technology is a chipset-level software upgrade that uses patented methods to increase the sensitivity, accuracy and reliability of GNSS receivers by detecting and rejecting false signals – including those reflected off buildings and spoofing signals.
Applications include high accuracy positioning for smartphones, wearables, autonomous vehicles and drones, as well as cyber security and resilience – protecting location-dependent devices and businesses from spoofer attacks.
“FocalPoint’s technology portfolio is truly novel and groundbreaking,” said Pommerantz. “I am convinced that this is an inflection point for the positioning and semiconductor industry.
“Their technology solves an industry-wide problem and creates phenomenal opportunities for businesses who depend on the accuracy, reliability and security of location and timing information.
“Having spoken to the team, customers and investors I am extremely confident that on the three vectors that really matter: technology, customer traction and company culture, FocalPoint is in a tremendous position.
“We have great technology, an extremely strong IP position and one of the most impressive technical teams that I have ever come across.
“We now need to scale up our technical support and customer integration so that we can maintain our development speed on IP and R&D while servicing customers and commercialising our technology.”
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FocalPoint founder Dr Ramsey Faragher will work alongside Scott as the president and chief technology officer of FocalPoint, focusing on accelerating the firm’s technology roll-out and R&D activities.
Dr Faragher commented: “When I established FocalPoint, one of my goals was to grow the business and IP portfolio to a point where we could attract one of the industry’s great CEOs to help us to complete our vision of powering the positioning of all GNSS receivers worldwide.
“I am thrilled to have succeeded in that goal and look forward to working with Scott on our next chapter.”