PervasID

PervasID is a Cambridge University spin-out that designs and manufactures the world's most accurate passive RFID fixed reader systems for automating inventory tracking, stock-taking, and asset management. Founded by Dr Sabesan Sithamparanathan OBE based on his PhD research at the University of Cambridge, the company has grown from a single academic innovation into a global enterprise serving customers in over 40 countries.

The problem PervasID solves is a fundamental one: conventional passive RFID readers suffer from dead spots and can only reliably detect tags within 2–3 metres, making them dependent on slow, error-prone handheld scanning. Industries from healthcare to aviation and retail desperately need accurate, always-on visibility of assets and inventory without manual intervention.

PervasID's patented Trackmaster technology achieves near-100% tag detection accuracy at distances of up to 20 metres, with a single reader covering up to 400m² — and the system scales seamlessly across entire buildings using multiple readers. By deploying ceiling-mounted arrays and advanced signal processing algorithms, PervasID eliminates dead spots entirely and delivers real-time location data without any human effort. Its AI-powered DATAVYSION platform further layers analytics on top of the raw tracking data.

The company counts NHS hospitals, the world's largest aircraft manufacturers, Stanley Black & Decker, and major global retailers among its customers. In November 2024 PervasID raised £3.25M in a round led by Parkwalk Advisors, with co-investment from NPIF II Maven Equity Finance and the Finance Durham Fund, to accelerate international rollout of its Trackmaster 2X platform. The company has also received a Queen's Award for Enterprise: Innovation and multiple Royal Academy of Engineering accolades.