K3 Metrology (K3M), based in Wales, UK, has raised £2.75 million (€3 million) in seed funding for its metrology platform, designed for advanced manufacturing environments.

K3M is a spin out from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), which developed Metralis – a technology enabling accurate, real-time measurement of large‑scale components, helping manufacturers assess and correct performance as products are being built. The spinout was necessary to commercialise Metralis as a real‑time metrology platform for advanced manufacturing. The system is designed to be self‑calibrating and to provide high‑precision, traceable measurement data throughout production.

The £2.75 million seed funding was raised from the Development Bank of Wales, with £1 million (€1.1 million) equity investment, £1 million (€1.1 million) from Parkwalk and £750,000 (€861,000) from the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund (UKI2S). Thanks to this funding, K3M is now in a position to complete product development, grow the team at their base in North Wales and build early commercial proof points.

The Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) supported the spinout through grant funding to help develop a working prototype, alongside commercialisation advice, helping NPL to map the route for this technology to reach the market, and support with investor engagement.

This support package helped de‑risk early development and strengthen the case for external investment, enabling Metralis to be taken to the market in a way that delivers ongoing public benefit.

“We certainly wouldn’t be here today if we hadn’t had GOTT support, that’s for sure. GOTT funding was crucial in enabling us to bring Metralis to market,” said Phil Cooper, Technology Transfer Leader, NPL.