Global growth in sight for display innovator

● Developer of interactive spherical displays launches crowdfund campaign

Pufferfish, an Edinburghbased company that produces interactive spherical displays, is looking to raise close on £1 million after launching a crowdfunding campaign.

The firm, which began wowing audiences at Coldplay’s Viva La Vida world tour in 2008 with its high-tech displays, is looking to expand its international reach.

It is seeking to raise £900,000 of investment via the crowdfunding platform Crowdcube.

The firm said it was set to power the next phase of “transformative growth” to meet demand from the geospatial and data-visualisation sectors, transforming its products into “business intelligence tools”.

Having already secured 40 per cent of its target before the end of the first day, the company is hoping to join Crowdcube’s “over-funded” club, which includes success stories such as Brewdog and Monzo.

Chief technology officer and founder Will Cavendish said: “Pufferfish already have an impressive legacy, built on the demand for our pioneering technology, which has seen us become leaders in our field, working with some of the world’s biggest brands, scientists and institutions.

“This investment will allow us to build a partner network to service the demand for our products worldwide, grow our team and transform our space into a sophisticated research and development and production centre, in turn paving the way for the launch of four innovative new products.”

Chief executive Angus Macfadyen is said to have overseen a “dramatic” change in the firm’s business model, increasing the software, content and service revenues and underpinning on-going revenue streams with its key corporate clients.

Recent clients such as Fortum, Finland’s biggest energy provider, are using the improved technology with real-time data, the firm noted.

Aki Koskinen, head of brand at Fortum, said: “Curiosity is one of our brand values and we needed something that would really capture people’s attention and deliver a big impact.

“We’ve pioneered in the use of 360-degree cameras at our plants and with the Puffersphere we can offer people an incredible insight to our operations, while reinforcing the idea that we are always innovating and looking to the future.

“Now, after a few months of use, the Puffersphere is a centrepiece of our showroom and has impressed everyone entering it.”

The Scots firm has worked with majors brands including Audi, Google, Honeywell, Microsoft and Shell.

Macfadyen said: “I joined Pufferfish in 2016 because I saw an opportunity to be part of something truly unique.

“We’re thrilled with our progress so far and are looking forward to kicking off our expansion plans.”