YFM Equity Partners has backed an investment into Emmy-winning augmented reality specialist Ncam.
Ncam is a provider of AR solutions for the entertainment industries and its work includes BT Sport’s Champions League coverage, Fox Sports’ broadcast of Super Bowl XLVIII, TV series Game of Thrones (HBO) and films Fantastic Beasts (Warner Bros) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (Marvel).
The London firm was founded by CEO Nic Hatch, CTO Sam Boivin and senior R&D engineer Brice Michoud in 2012. It combines patented camera tracking hardware with a powerful development kit and allows cameras to move freely while generating a continuous stream of precise positional and rotational information that can feed graphics engines.
“Our vision is to set a precedent of what can be achieved within real-time visual effects,” said Hatch. “Our relationship with YFM will allow us to expand our technological capabilities’ and keep Ncam at the forefront of augmented reality.”
CFO Craig Deacon added: “With the support of YFM we can rapidly execute our growth plans, allowing us to develop our market potential and fulfil our global ambitions of becoming a market leader of augmented reality.”
In recent years Ncam has been awarded an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Engineering Development, Experience & Technology Awards for Best use of Augmented Reality with Ford Motor Company and a Queen’s Award for Innovation for their work in augmented reality for film and television.
YFM’s funds will be used to support the development of new products, invest in the team, and help the business extend its reach into new territories, especially the USA where a new office opening is planned for 2018.
Charlie Robinson and Colin Granger led the investment for YFM, with Robinson joining the Board.
YFM’s investment director said: “Nic and his team have done a fantastic job in developing Ncam’s camera tracking technology from a standing start to a leading position in a rapidly developing augmented reality marketplace.
“There are exciting times ahead.”