Henley Business Angels members invest in Ciqurix, an innovative video flame detection systems business revolutionising fire safety

Ciqurix, an innovative company that has created a revolutionary video flame detection system, has received investment from four Henley Business Angels members, contributing towards a funding round of £625k. In addition to the angel investments, Ciqurix received £500k of investment from Midwich Plc, via their investment arm Midwich Ignite. This level of commitment from an industry heavyweight is not only hugely beneficial from a capital perspective but also a clear message of product and market validation from a public company.

Traditionally, there are two ways of detecting fire: through smoke (smoke alarm) or heat (heat detector). The problem that arises through these approaches is that there is an enormous capability gap for certain sites. For example, sites that have processes that produce a lot of smoke or fumes (causing false alarms in smoke detectors); are outdoors or in areas with high airflow (smoke blows away and heat dissipates before reaching a detector); places with extremes of temperature (heat and smoke behave differently); and places with very high ceilings (heat and smoke take too long to reach the detectors). This can cause fires to grow out of control before any alert has been raised that a fire has started. 

Providing an innovative solution to this, and introducing a third, more accurate method to detect fire in previously difficult-to-detect environments such as large warehouses or environments with extreme cold/hot temperatures, Ciqurix has developed a revolutionary video flame detection system called the CORE system. This system uses infrared and video analytics to detect fire with unprecedented accuracy and range. Since Ciqurix began development of the CORE in 2012, they now have over 125 systems live in nine countries, and to date have generated sales in excess of £1 million.

Ciqurix’s solution allows businesses to better protect themselves against losses, damages and danger. The CORE system can save businesses money through early detection of fires and therefore prevention of excess loss, but also enhances the protection of workers, ensuring their safety. Not only this, but Ciqurix is set to secure UK regulatory certification in 2025, making the implementation of their system a requirement, becoming the first certified, regulated video flame detection system in the world.

Ciqurix’s offering is B2B, targeting three categories of customer: those in industries whose facilities are at permanent high risk of fire and need to take strong mitigation measures (waste management, steel mills, timber yards); facilities in which standard fire detection is unsuitable due to height, location, temperature or other factors (cold storage facilities, warehouses); and industries at heightened reputational risk from fire (airports, hotels). This provides Ciqurix with a unique offering for distributors and installers of fire detection equipment who previously had no working solutions to offer businesses within those categories. 

The money raised from this round will be used for regulatory testing and commercialisation. To date, all of Ciqurix’s sales have been achieved without any dedicated marketing. Since securing investment, the company has engaged a marketing consultant for the first time and exhibited independently at the Fire Safety Event, a key industry trade show. As marketing efforts expand, so will sales, and investing in scaled production is essential to meet rising demand.