A University of Southampton technology developed at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research is set to join a Leicestershire security inspection group after the announcement that Image Scan Holdings has agreed to acquire spin‑out ClanTect for up to £1 million.
What the technology does
ClanTect’s system uses highly sensitive vibration sensing and advanced signal processing to identify human presence in confined spaces such as vehicles and containers. The technology is designed to distinguish minute human‑induced movements from environmental disturbances — for example, wind, traffic vibration and background noise. Reported operational uses include border security deployments and potential roles in prisons, military sites and protection of critical infrastructure.
Why the deal matters locally
The sale represents a notable example of research commercialisation in Southampton, where academic work at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research has been turned into a marketable product. Under the terms announced, the founders — Prof Stephen Daley and Dr Ilias Zazas — will continue to act as consultants to the business following the acquisition.
"The acquisition of ClanTect represents an important strategic milestone for Image Scan and broadens our security technology portfolio with a highly complementary capability," said Vincent Deery, chief executive of Image Scan.
Image Scan says the move will give ClanTect access to its international distribution network of more than 60 partners across 85 countries, which the buyer believes will accelerate commercial development.
Financial position and commercial trajectory
ClanTect reported revenues of £185,000 for the year ended 31 October 2025 and has materially reduced losses, from £260,000 the previous year to a loss of £14,000. The company is described as "approaching profitability" in filings cited in the announcement.
- Buyer: Image Scan Holdings (listed provider of X‑ray screening and security inspection tools, based in Leicestershire)
- Seller: ClanTect (University of Southampton spin‑out from the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research)
- Deal value: up to £1 million
- Reported revenues (year to 31 Oct 2025): £185,000
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Deal price | Up to £1,000,000 |
| Revenue (year to 31 Oct 2025) | £185,000 |
| Losses (previous year) | £260,000 |
| Losses (year to 31 Oct 2025) | £14,000 |
Local impact and next steps
For Southampton, the transaction is significant for several reasons: it highlights the city’s capacity to produce commercially viable security technologies from university research; it may increase the visibility of local engineering expertise to international markets; and it secures ongoing involvement from the spin‑out’s founders, which can help maintain continuity as the product is scaled.
Image Scan has pointed to established engineering capabilities and customer relationships as the platform that will be used to expand ClanTect’s market. The precise operational changes anticipated on the ground in Southampton — including any staff moves, R&D plans or manufacturing shifts — were not detailed in the announcement.
As the business transitions into Image Scan’s wider group, stakeholders in Southampton’s tech and university communities will be watching for announcements on product deployments, regulatory approvals for security applications, and any local recruitment or collaboration opportunities that might follow.
This development underscored the continuing role of the University of Southampton in creating spin‑outs with international reach and the appetite among listed security firms to invest in sensing technologies that address border and infrastructure security challenges.
