Symetrica, a Southampton-based firm specialising in the detection of radioactive material, has secured an additional £500,000 of development cash, from a trio of investors led by the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (NESTA).

Having developed a drive-through scanner for use at airports, ports and other relevant sites, the company has already secured some interesting relationships. The US Department of Homeland Security, for example, is currently said to be evaluating Symetrica’s technology at a ‘dedicated test site in the Nevada Desert.’

Commenting on the decision to invest in Symetrica for a second time, NESTA director Mark White explained, ‘we need to shorten the cycle between innovation and security application to ensure that the UK can respond to the threat of terrorism.’

Also investing in the funding round were Tennants Ventures and the South of England-focused Sulis Seedcorn Fund.