Vivacity Labs

Founded in 2015 by Mark Nicholson, Peter Mildon, and Yang Lu, Vivacity Labs provides AI-driven solutions to gather and analyze real-time traffic data. The three co-founders met at Cambridge University while working on a project to design and race a solar-powered car, an experience that sparked their entrepreneurial ambitions. After a few years in different jobs, they reunited to establish Vivacity Labs, initially manufacturing sensors in their bedrooms and later joining the Hacktrain accelerator program.

The company's core offering consists of intelligent sensors and a video analytics platform that anonymously monitors various transport modes, including vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. This technology, which uses machine learning and computer vision, provides detailed data on traffic flow, travel patterns, speed, and near-miss incidents without compromising personal privacy. Vivacity's business model is centered on serving public sector clients such as local councils, government bodies, and transport authorities. These clients utilize the data to optimize traffic signal control, reduce congestion, improve road safety, and support urban planning and sustainable transport initiatives like active travel. One of its key products is the 'Smart Junctions' signal control system, which uses AI to adapt traffic light timings dynamically.

Headquartered in London, with a manufacturing center in Bletchley, Vivacity Labs has expanded its operations across the UK and into international markets including North America, Australia, the Nordics, and Benelux. The firm has secured significant funding over several rounds, including a Series A led by Mobeus and a Series B round that included EnBW New Ventures and Foresight Group, reaching a total of $18.8M. This investment has fueled its expansion and product development, aiming to address key urban challenges like air quality and network optimization.

Keywords: traffic analytics, computer vision, smart junctions, transport data, urban mobility, road safety, traffic flow optimization, AI sensors, active travel, smart cities, transport planning, congestion reduction, intelligent transport systems, pedestrian monitoring, cyclist data, video analytics, network management, transport infrastructure, machine learning, GovTech, sustainable transport