New Investment for Kelvin Connect

Mobile data management systems provider Kelvin Connect has recently negotiated a £1million investment deal that will finance expansion plans. The equity stake taken in Hillington Park Innovation Centre-based Kelvin Connect (www.kelvinconnect.com) taken by Airwave Solutions will drive the growth of its business to supply electronic notebooks to Britain’s police forces. Established in 2002 to commercialise technology developed at the University of Glasgow, Kelvin Connect already partners Airwave in the provision of hand held computers for policemen in Lothians, Strathclyde and Lancashire. The recent deal is aimed at rapid expansion across the UK for the devices which provide a complete mobile information system enabling professionals to capture, process and report on complex business processes. Law enforcement and healthcare sectors form a niche market for the product. Kelvin Connect anticipates the deal will also allow it to increase the size of its workforce from the current nine to 60 over the next two years. Simon Hardy, CEO at Kelvin Connect, added: "This deal is driven by powerful synergies that will yield great benefits to the two companies and our customers. The combined solution that it will enable Airwave to offer to the market is by far the most proven and comprehensive. Kelvin Connect has found it easy to work effectively with Airwave and we are delighted to have them as our strategic partner." Richard Bobbett, CEO at Airwave, commented: "The demand for effective mobile information is growing rapidly within the police and law enforcement arena. Airwave recognises that to meet this demand there is a role for best of breed providers such as Kelvin Connect. There are clear synergies between the sectors in which Airwave and Kelvin Connect operate and we believe that this investment will add to our broad emergency services experience with the detailed mobile data capture expertise which Kelvin Connect already has." Tom Ogilvie, CEO of Innovation Centres Scotland, said: ”Kelvin Connect is rapidly establishing a reputation as a key provider of hand-held mobile technology solutions for business. This is an exciting development with potential to create a significant number of new jobs. We have supported the company for five years providing a wide range of assistance covering financial planning to investor liaison. The agreement with Airwave Solutions I believe enhances our reputation in helping build Scotland’s 21st century technology base.”