Krucial (formerly R3 IoT)

This investment primarily aligns to our innovation and place missions, but also supports our net zero mission.

R3 IoT combines pioneering satellite communications technology with adaptable and resilient “Internet of Things” sensing hardware to enable businesses to monitor, analyse and optimise their key assets, wherever they are in the world.

R3 IoT provides resilient data services with analytics to the 90% of the planet that lacks traditional communications infrastructure.  The benefits of this technology are wide ranging and support a broad spectrum of different businesses, including connecting critical public safety infrastructure, aquaculture, telehealth monitoring of vulnerable individuals in remote communities and providing early flood warnings by analysing multiple isolated locations.

As a technology business based in Scotland, R3 IoT is a fantastic example of how by investing in innovative businesses we can enable our people to flourish and grow our economy of the future.

The Bank’s investment, alongside Strathclyde University and Space Capital provides the business with the investment it needs to grow.   The investment will support the doubling of their Glasgow headcount, allow them to commercialise products and services, further develop analytics capability and expand into new markets and geographies.

Prior to the Bank's investment, R3 IoT received Covid-19 support from Scottish Enterprise in September 2020 from their Early Stage Growth Challenge Fund, established to support small and medium enterprises negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.  These funds converted into equity at the same time that the Bank made its investment.