Silicon Microgravity raises £6m led by West Hill Capital with UKI2S
This article covers Silicon Microgravity, a tech startup, which has raised £6m in a growth funding round to expand UK manufacturing and accelerate commercial deployment of its MEMS sensors for defence, space and dual-use commercial markets. The funding is intended to grow engineering and semiconductor production capacity, deepen partnerships in Europe and the US, and support sovereign sensing and navigation capabilities used in defence, space and autonomous systems.
Silicon Microgravity has raised £6m in a growth funding round to expand UK manufacturing and accelerate commercial deployment of its MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) sensors for defence, space and dual-use commercial markets. The cash will be used to grow engineering and semiconductor production capacity and deepen partnerships in Europe and the US, as demand for resilient, sovereign sensing and navigation technology intensifies.
Why it matters
Small, ruggedised sensors are becoming central to modern defence, satellite systems and autonomous platforms. MEMS accelerometers that can operate in extreme, GPS-denied environments are particularly valuable for navigation, sensing and mission-critical applications from launch vehicles to subsurface exploration.
That utility makes the sector strategically important for national security and for companies seeking to maintain a sovereign supply chain for key components. The funding therefore signals continued investor interest in onshore advanced manufacturing and dual-use technologies that can serve both defence and commercial customers.
Inside the product
Silicon Microgravity designs MEMS devices built for high shock, vibration and temperature extremes. Its accelerometers are already used in advanced space programmes and are pitched for applications including launch vehicles, lunar and planetary exploration, satellite communications, navigation, sensing, autonomous operations and satellite-enabled critical mineral exploration.
The company emphasises compact form, high accuracy and resilience where conventional GPS-reliant systems fail. That combination appeals to customers deploying systems in remote, high-risk or subterranean environments and to programmes requiring sovereign sensing capability.
Who are the investors?
The round was led by West Hill Capital, with participation from the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), which is managed by Future Planet Capital. The announcement notes this is UKI2S's first participation in the company through its Space portfolio, building on an existing relationship via its Defence & Security portfolio.
In the announcement, Alexander Leigh, Investor, Defence & Security at UKI2S, said:
SMG represents exactly the kind of strategically important dual-use technology business the UK needs to scale. Semiconductors, sensing and advanced manufacturing are increasingly critical to both national security and the future competitiveness of the UK space sector. What makes SMG particularly compelling is the combination of deep technical differentiation and growing commercial validation from globally recognised customers. This level of traction demonstrates the relevance of UK-built advanced manufacturing capability on the international stage. Supporting sovereign capability in these areas is essential if the UK is to remain competitive in critical technologies over the coming decades.
In the announcement, David Hollidge, Partner at West Hill Capital, said:
West Hill is delighted to have had the opportunity to make a further investment in Silicon Microgravity with its world-class and truly groundbreaking technology that is revolutionising both navigational and subsurface imaging systems for defence, aerospace and subterranean exploration.
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Founder perspective
In the announcement, Francis Neill, CEO at Silicon Microgravity, said:
The future of defence, autonomous systems and space exploration depends on navigation and sensing technologies that are smaller, more accurate and capable of operating where GPS cannot. This investment allows us to accelerate commercial deployment of technologies that are already attracting significant interest from global customers and partners, while continuing to build sovereign sensing capability here in the UK.
Neill leads the company as it scales engineering headcount and semiconductor production capacity, positioning SMG to supply both national programmes and international commercial partners.
The bigger picture
This deal sits at the intersection of several broader trends: the push for sovereign supply chains in advanced semiconductors, growing defence and space procurement for resilient sensing, and investor appetite for dual-use technologies that translate into commercial markets. For the UK, nurturing onshore capability in MEMS and advanced manufacturing supports industrial resilience and export potential.
The funding also underscores increasing transatlantic and European commercial interest in UK-built components, suggesting further partnerships and follow-on work as governments and companies prioritise secure, high-performance sensors across defence, space and industrial applications.
They've invested in Silicon Microgravity
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| Investors | Investment Focus | Startup Investments | Round Size | Connect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 West Hill Capital( ) West Hill Capital focuses on investing in high-growth companies across various s... London  | ||||
 Future Planet Capital( ) Future Planet Capital is an impact-led venture capital firm founded in the UK wi... London | ||||
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