Cerca Magnetics raises €4.3 million to scale its quantum sensing-powered wearable brain imaging systems

The round was led by Guinness Ventures. The company plans to use the fresh capital to expand into clinical healthcare markets, supporting regulatory approvals, manufacturing scale-up, and international growth.

David Woolger, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, “This investment enables us to move decisively into clinical applications, scaling our technology for routine use in hospitals in the UK and internationally. Our goal is to make advanced brain imaging more accessible, supporting earlier diagnosis and better treatment of neurological conditions.”

Founded in 2020, Cerca Magnetics is a spin-out from the University of Nottingham’s School of Physics and Astronomy. The company has developed a wearable brain imaging system that uses quantum sensors to measure neural activity with high precision.

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Its technology is based on magnetoencephalography (MEG), which detects extremely small magnetic fields produced by electrical activity in the brain. Instead of traditional fixed and bulky scanners, Cerca Magnetics uses lightweight wearable sensors called optically pumped magnetometers.

These wearable sensors allow patients to move naturally during scans, making it possible to image brain activity in infants for the first time. The company says this significantly improves access to brain imaging for children.

Cerca Magnetics’ technology is currently being used in research and clinical applications for conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and dementia. The company is also progressing through clinical approval processes in both the UK and the US.

The UK startup reports that it has sold 19 systems to neuroscience centres across 12 countries, including leading institutions in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. It also highlights more than 100% year-on-year sales growth over the past three years.

Ashley Abrahams, Head of Origination, Guinness Ventures, said, “Cerca Magnetics is addressing a clear unmet need in brain imaging with a technology that combines scientific depth with affordable real-world usability. We believe the company is well positioned to become a global leader in next-generation neuroimaging and are pleased to back David and the team on the next stage of Cerca’s already impressive journey.”

The company collaborates with research institutions, healthcare providers, and government organisations globally. Its customers include The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, where researchers are using its system to study autism. It is also involved in a €3.2 million (£2.8 million) project with the UK Ministry of Defence to develop a mobile platform for assessing the impact of blast exposure on military personnel.

About Cerca Magnetics

Cerca Magnetics is a UK-based MedTech company founded in 2020 as a spin-out from the University of Nottingham. It develops advanced wearable brain imaging systems using quantum sensing technology to measure brain activity with high precision. The company’s flagship system is based on magnetoencephalography (MEG) and uses lightweight optically pumped magnetometer sensors, allowing patients to move naturally during scans and enabling more accessible brain imaging, including for children and infants. Cerca Magnetics focuses on applications in neuroscience and clinical research, including conditions such as epilepsy, dementia, and multiple sclerosis, and is expanding toward broader clinical healthcare use globally.