Conventional wireless technologies—such as radio frequency, acoustic, and optical methods—often struggle to transmit data through challenging barriers like the water-air interface, dense soils, and rock formations. This has led many organizations to rely on wired solutions, which are costly, difficult to deploy, prone to damage, and unsuitable for remote or sensitive environments. CSignum has developed a groundbreaking solution to these challenges.
Its patented electromagnetic field signalling (EMFS) technology enables wireless data transmission across water, air, soil, ice, and even through concrete or rock, overcoming the physical limitations that have hindered previous wireless solutions. The underwater communications market, expected to grow from $5.1 billion in 2024 to $10.2 billion by 2032, presents significant opportunities for innovation in this field.
Securing Investment to Drive Growth
CSignum, a leader in wireless technology for subsurface IoT communications, has raised £6 million in a Series A funding round. This investment will accelerate the development of the company’s EM-2 product line, revolutionizing how critical sensor data is transmitted from submerged environments to above-surface networks.
The round attracted investment from Archangels, Par Equity, Scottish Enterprise, along with contributions from British Business Investment (BBI), Raptor Group, Deep Future, SeaAhead’s Blue Angel Network, and various prominent U.S.-based individual investors. The funds will be used to expand CSignum’s engineering team, advance its product portfolio, and enhance its market presence to meet the growing demand for efficient, real-time monitoring solutions.
Jonathan Reeves, CEO of CSignum, said: “This investment reflects the increasing recognition of the need for innovative communication solutions in the underwater IoT sector. The support from our investors will allow us to scale operations, improve our product offerings, and help industries worldwide manage their resources more effectively. We are excited to shape the future of underwater communication.”
Founding a New Era in Wireless Communication
Founded in 2020 in Bathgate, Scotland, CSignum was created by a team of experts including Jonathan Reeves, a leading electronics engineer and the original inventor of digital through-water radio communications, along with experienced entrepreneurs and investors Rob Soni, Graeme Boyce, and Fraser Galloway.
The company was born out of a need to solve a critical challenge—ensuring reliable wireless data transmission across the water-air boundary for industries such as aquaculture, environmental monitoring, and offshore energy. CSignum’s mission is to provide real-time, cable-free connectivity for underwater and remote sensors, facilitating digital transformation and sustainability in harsh and challenging environments.
CSignum works with clients across the UK, EU, and US to address growing environmental regulatory requirements. In particular, UK’s AMP8 initiatives and the Environment Act 2021 mandate large-scale real-time monitoring of water quality, which presents significant logistical challenges. Traditional cabled or manual data collection methods are prohibitively expensive for implementing thousands of monitoring points. CSignum’s wireless technology offers a solution to these challenges, enabling industries to meet regulatory demands efficiently.
CSignum is at the forefront of a technological shift in wireless IoT communication solutions for submerged environments. The company’s EM-2 technology enables reliable, real-time data transmission through water, ice, soil, rock, and concrete, offering significant advantages over traditional cabled systems. This breakthrough technology will have a broad range of applications, including water quality monitoring, wireless underwater ship tracking, and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure like offshore wind turbines and oil and gas platform
Setting New Standards for Wireless Connectivity
In addition to its hardware solutions, CSignum offers CSignum Cloud, which provides comprehensive data services, including dashboards and analytics, currently used in several river water quality monitoring projects.
Dan McKiddie, Investment Manager at Archangels, emphasized: “CSignum’s technology represents a truly unique breakthrough that could transform industries dependent on reliable underwater data. We are excited to support the team as they scale their business and disrupt the underwater communication market globally.”
Claire Cramm, Investment Manager at Par Equity, added: “CSignum’s ability to deliver reliable, cost-effective communication solutions for challenging environments distinguishes them in the market. This funding will propel their efforts to become a global leader in underwater data transmission.”
With its innovative technology, strong leadership, and solid investor backing, CSignum is well-positioned to lead the digital transformation of underwater IoT and is set to take advantage of the rapidly expanding market over the next decade.
