Bristol-based NuNano has secured £400,000 of funding from the University of Bristol Enterprise Fund (managed by Parkwalk Advisors) and Bristol Private Equity Club.

The company designs and manufactures atomic-force microscopy (AFM) probes, which are used to investigate the nano-scale properties of materials.

Its technology can be used in applications including routine quality control in the semiconductor industry.

James Vicary, co-founder and managing director, said: “This will trigger a step change in the growth of our business. The last few years have really been all about R&D of the products; we will now be able to continue that work and scale up our commercial activity.”

Jerry Barnes, founder of the Bristol Private Equity Club, said: “NuNano is exactly the sort of business that we like to support. It is difficult for start-up firms to access funding of over £100,000 and under £500,000, and that is the area we like to work in.

“Here we have real technical experts, producing leading-edge products that will put Bristol on the map.”