Reach Robotics, the Bristol-based robotics, augmented reality and mobile gaming firm, has secured a £5.8m investment as its first robots prepare to take part in a global test programme.
The funding will help Reach take its MekaMon intelligent gaming robot to market as well as strengthening its team.
Reach was founded four years ago by former UWE Bristol robotics students Silas Adekunle, Chris Beck and John Rees to develop the next generation robotics platform incorporating state-of-the-art robotic engineering combined with mobile gaming and augmented reality (AR). 
This fusion led the team to create the MekaMon, which is now about to be out through its paces in the worldwide test project.
Reach was formed as part of the Bristol Robotics Laboratory incubator programme and is now based at Future Space, a workspace for innovators located at UWE.
Reach chief executive officer Silas said: “To date we’ve executed on our vision for MekaMon as a product with a small and amazing team. This financing round will help us move to the next exciting chapter of our company and execute our go-to-market strategy, strengthen our team and capitalise on some of the amazing partnerships that are developing around the globe.
“We are now looking for the very best talent across lots of disciplines to join our team and help us achieve our vision.”
Among the investors is iGlobe, whose founder and managing partner Soo Boon Koh said: “Reach Robotics is an exciting investment for iGlobe. Mekamon is a sensational product at the crossroads of AR, robotics and gaming sectors – a burgeoning market fuelled by strong demand for immersive play from a new class of consumers.
“The company is founded by a passionate, nimble and talented founding team with strong technical expertise in the robotic and gaming area. We are confident that this round of new capital injection can propel Reach Robotics towards making MekaMon a global household brand in its market sector.” 
Silas added: “We have 500 MekaMon that will be shipped to our early registered customers around the world. They will become the start of our global community and help us hone the MekaMon experience as a next level robotic, augmented reality and gaming platform.”
Reach Robotics has also announced the strengthening of the current team with two key appointments. Sean Ratcliffe has joined as chief marketing officer with 25 years’ experience in gaming across companies such as Electronic Arts, LEGO, Disney and SEGA. He most recently served as chief marketing officer for Rovio Entertainment, the maker of Angry Birds.
Alex Peters has joined to focus on strategy, business development and partnership opportunities. Alex is a veteran of the gaming industry in production and has held senior studio management roles with Electronic Arts and Activision.
Reach Robotics secured the $7.5m (£5.8m) in Series A funding in a round co-led by Korea Investment Partners (KiP) and IGlobe, a previous investor from its seed round.
NCSOFT and Kin Yat also contributed to the round as a new investor, as well as London Venture Partners, Passion Capital, Qualcomm Ventures and Hardware Club, which had already supported Reach during the seed round.
