Tag: ar technology

  • Aircards raises £3M to scale immersive brand experiences

    Aircards raises £3M to scale immersive brand experiences

    Aircards has completed a £3 million growth investment round led by Foresight Group, marking a pivotal moment for the immersive technology studio as it prepares to expand its global footprint. The Newcastle-based company, which launched four years ago, plans to use the capital to strengthen three key business divisions and accelerate international market penetration.

    The investment arrives as brands increasingly seek sophisticated digital engagement tools to connect with consumers across physical and virtual environments. Aircards has established partnerships with major corporations including Nike, L’Oréal, Diageo, Unilever, Louis Vuitton, and Red Bull, delivering campaigns that blend augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality, computer-generated imagery, and artificial intelligence.

    Three-Pronged Growth Strategy

    The funding will support expansion across Aircards’ core business pillars, each targeting different aspects of the immersive experience market. The company’s production studio division will enhance in-house fabrication capabilities, enabling the creation of physical environments that integrate seamlessly with digital content. This includes LED installations, interactive pop-up experiences, AR-enabled mirrors, and shared immersive spaces.

    Invisionary Media, the company’s hardware division, centers on the LUX-75™ display system. This AI and AR-powered touchscreen technology targets high-traffic locations such as retail stores, airports, entertainment venues, and shopping centers. The displays combine immersive content with real-time analytics, gamification elements, virtual try-on capabilities, and commerce integration.

    Data-Driven Insights Through Metalitix

    The third growth area involves Metalitix, Aircards’ proprietary analytics platform designed to measure audience behavior within 3D, AR, and mixed reality environments. The system provides clients with detailed metrics including heat mapping, gaze tracking, and session replay functionality, transforming engagement data into actionable business intelligence.

    Michael Watson, Co-Founder and COO of Aircards, stated: “We are delighted to have secured this investment from Foresight, which marks a significant milestone in Aircards’ journey.”

    Leadership Expansion

    To support the growth phase, Aircards has appointed Euan Jarvie as Executive Chair. Jarvie brings extensive experience from his previous roles as CEO of Dentsu UK&I and president of EMEA IRI. His background spans global media operations, technology implementation, and creative business scaling strategies.

    The leadership addition signals Aircards’ intention to compete more aggressively in international markets while maintaining its operational base in Northeast England. The company has positioned itself as proof that advanced creative technology businesses can flourish outside traditional tech hubs.

    Regional Investment Focus

    Foresight Group’s investment reflects broader confidence in the Northeast England technology sector. Jordan Lavender, Senior Investment Manager at Foresight Group, commented: “Aircards has demonstrated strong growth since inception five years ago and Foresight is excited to support the highly talented team on their next phase of growth.”

    The investor emphasized the region’s potential for innovative small and medium enterprises, viewing the Aircards deal as part of its commitment to supporting local business development. This approach aligns with growing recognition of distributed tech talent across the UK beyond London-centric models.

    Market Context and Future Outlook

    The immersive technology sector has seen increased adoption as brands seek differentiated customer experiences across digital and physical touchpoints. Aircards’ integrated approach—combining content creation, hardware deployment, and analytics—addresses multiple client needs within a single relationship.

    The company’s campaign portfolio spans various activation types, from high-impact AR implementations and virtual try-on experiences to connected digital out-of-home displays and hybrid retail environments. This diversity provides multiple revenue streams and reduces dependence on any single technology trend.

    With enhanced fabrication capabilities, expanded hardware deployment, and strengthened analytics offerings, Aircards aims to deliver more sophisticated and measurable brand experiences. The investment positions the company to pursue larger enterprise contracts while maintaining creative flexibility across different industry sectors.

    The funding round represents broader investor confidence in immersive technology applications beyond gaming and entertainment, particularly in commercial and retail environments where measurable engagement metrics drive purchasing decisions.