DefProc Engineering

Name

DefProc Engineering

Legal name

DPRV Ltd

Website

https://defproc.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Product Development Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Engineering Services (541330), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

DevOps, SRE & Platform Engineering Consulting (BPAHAEAK)

Keywords

• Product development services
• IoT engineering consulting
• EMC compliance testing
• TRL framework consulting
• Prototype manufacturing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consulting and Product Development Services: DefProc earns revenue by providing paid engineering services to clients across the full product development lifecycle — from scoping and proof-of-concept through to prototype, regulatory testing, and production-ready handover. Revenue is project-based and quote-driven.
2. Government Innovation Grants: DefProc has secured funding from Innovate UK (e.g., Fast Start grant for SmUPS project) and participated in government-supported programmes (e.g., Liverpool 5G Health and Social Care Testbed, funded by DCMS). Grants supplement project revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DefProc Engineering is a B2B product development and engineering services firm that takes hardware and IoT products from concept (TRL 1) through to UKCA/CE-certified market readiness (TRL 9). Services span research and development, electronics and firmware design, CAD/industrial design, LoRaWAN connectivity integration, EMC compliance testing, proof-of-concept prototyping, and small-run production. The company primarily develops custom products for enterprise clients in utilities, healthcare, government, and cultural sectors, with notable developed products including hydrogen safety sensors, digital medicine cabinets, and connected wellbeing devices.

Product overview

DefProc Engineering is an award-winning innovation partner that bridges the gap between concept and commercialisation, specialising in early-stage product development from TRL 1 to market-ready products. Their product portfolio centres on hydrogen safety solutions (Smart Gas Pressure Sensor, H2Go Domestic Hydrogen Detector), healthcare technology (Remlok digital medicine cabinet, Push to Talk wellbeing device), and interactive installations (Footfall, LUX, #WeAreGame). The company also develops connected IoT devices using LoRaWAN technology for various sectors including utilities, healthcare, and cultural institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Product Development and Engineering Services End-to-end product development service taking hardware and IoT products from concept (TRL 1) through to UKCA/CE-certified market readiness (TRL 9). Includes R&D, electronics and firmware design, CAD/industrial design, LoRaWAN connectivity integration, proof-of-concept prototyping, and small-scale manufacturing. Targeted at enterprise clients in utilities, healthcare, government, and cultural sectors.
• EMC Compliance and Pre-compliance Testing EMC design reviews, pre-compliance testing, and full regulatory compliance testing support for electronic devices to achieve UKCA/CE marking. Includes product technical file preparation and Radio Equipment Directive (RED) compliance. Targeted at hardware product developers needing regulatory certification for market entry.
• Smart Gas Pressure Sensor A hydrogen safety device designed to detect low pressure in consumer homes. Compatible with natural gas, 100% hydrogen, and blended supply, it activates a shut-off valve if pressure drops below 17 mbar. Features LoRaWAN connectivity for near-real-time data retrieval, tamper detection, battery backup, and a dashboard for monitoring. Developed for Northern Gas Networks.
• H2Go Domestic Hydrogen Detector The world's first low-cost domestic hydrogen detector designed to look and work like a smoke alarm. Features a multi-element hydrogen sensor, temperature and humidity compensation, USB/battery power, onboard data logging via micro-SD, and alert alarms. Developed for the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), Northern Gas Networks, and Wales & West Utilities. IP from the project is passed to clients to patent and commercialise.
• Remlok Digital Healthcare Solution A remotely operated medicine cabinet allowing pharmacy professionals to remotely operate and monitor patient medication access from pharmacy locations. Ensures correct quantities at the right times, with monitoring for cabinet closure and locking. Features onboard rechargeable battery and wireless connectivity. UKCA/CE certified, patent-protected, and trademarked; available commercially via Boots Health Hub. Developed for The Medication Support Company.
• Push to Talk Loneliness Reduction Device A reusable button device and smartphone app that connects users experiencing loneliness at the press of a button to similar users via telephone. Uses LoRaWAN connectivity via The Things Network. Injection-moulded ABS plastic housing designed for circular economy (returnable, refurbishable). UKCA/CE certified and market-ready. Developed in collaboration with the Liverpool 5G Health and Social Care Testbed.
• SmUPS Smart Uninterruptible Power Supply A smart uninterruptible power supply developed with Innovate UK Fast Start grant funding. Designed to maintain connectivity for connected devices during power outages, addressing resilience requirements for IoT deployments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Push to Talk trials showed 75% increase in users who hardly ever felt left out and 50% increase in those who hardly ever felt isolated from other people.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Northern Gas NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024DefProc's key strategic partner on hydrogen safety devices. Collaboration on the Smart Gas Pressure Sensor — a device that detects low gas pressure in consumer properties and activates a shut-off valve. Also a partner on the H2Go domestic hydrogen detector project.
• Digital Catapult — Hydrogen Sensor Accelerator ProgrammeflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024DefProc was one of only five companies selected for the first Digital Catapult Hydrogen Sensor Accelerator Programme — an eight-week intensive programme supported by Innovate UK and the Industrial Advisory Board. The programme provided tailored support, testing facilities, and a showcase platform to accelerate the Smart Gas Pressure Sensor's path to market.
• Sustainable Ventures / CPI (Hydrogen Innovation Challenge)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024DefProc was one of ten finalists in the Hydrogen Innovation Challenge, a programme by Sustainable Ventures, CPI (Centre for Process Innovation, part of the High-Value Manufacturing Catapult), and the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative, supported by Innovate UK. DefProc received tailored support and presented at the Innovation Showcase Event.
• The Things NetworkcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024DefProc uses The Things Network — the world's largest LoRaWAN operator for IoT — as the connectivity backbone for its Smart Gas Pressure Sensor and other IoT devices. The Things Stack currently has 1.5 million devices connected and over 2.5 billion messages sent/received.
• DNV (Groningen)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024DNV conducted external validation testing of DefProc's Smart Gas Pressure Sensor prototypes using hydrogen and methane across varying temperature and humidity conditions, providing independent third-party verification of sensor performance.
• Unit 3 CompliancecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Unit 3 Compliance provided pre-compliance EMC design review for the Push to Talk device, including schematic and PCB layout review before manufacture, identifying potential issues and providing mitigations to maximise first-pass EMC test success.
• NorcottminorOthers · 1 January 2024Sourced by DefProc to manufacture 100 final Push to Talk PCBs using semi-automated services, significantly improving efficiency compared to manual hand-assembly.
• Energy Innovation Centre (EIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021EIC commissioned DefProc to develop the H2Go domestic hydrogen detector — the world's first low-cost domestic hydrogen sensor. EIC is a key partner in hydrogen innovation alongside Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities.
• Wales & West UtilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Wales & West Utilities co-commissioned the H2Go domestic hydrogen detector project alongside EIC and Northern Gas Networks, supporting the UK's hydrogen transition strategy for residential gas networks.
• Health and Safety Executive Laboratories (HSL)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021HSL conducted external validation testing of the H2Go domestic hydrogen detector across broad temperature and humidity ranges as part of BS EN50194-1 standard compliance testing.
• The Medication Support CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020DefProc supported Medication Support from TRL 2 to TRL 9 to create Remlok — a remotely operated medicine cabinet. The cabinet is now patent-protected, trademarked, UKCA/CE certified, and available commercially via Boots Health Hub.
• Liverpool 5G Health and Social Care Testbed (Liverpool City Council / DCMS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019DefProc was a consortium partner in the high-profile Liverpool 5G Health and Social Care Testbed, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). This programme delivered the Push to Talk loneliness reduction project from concept through to market-ready product and UKCA/CE certification.
• Liverpool 5G Testbed Care Trial Partners (Local Solutions, The Irish Centre, Everton In the Community, and others)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019DefProc partnered with multiple community organisations for the Push to Talk pilot trials: Local Solutions, The Irish Centre and Irish Community Care, The Hope Centre Tuebrook, Everton In the Community, Asda in the Community, Live Wire, LCVS, Prima Homes, Bradbury Fields, and Breckside Park Care Home. These partners facilitated user recruitment, in-person interviews, and community engagement across Liverpool.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Emerging players

• Eseye: UK-based IoT connectivity specialist providing managed cellular IoT services and device integration. Comparable to DefProc through overlapping LoRaWAN/cellular IoT device integration expertise, though Eseye is infrastructure-focused rather than a product design house.
• H2scan: US-based manufacturer of hydrogen-specific sensors for industrial applications, including process monitoring and battery safety. Comparable to DefProc as a hydrogen sensor specialist, though H2scan operates at scale in industrial rather than domestic/residential markets.

Broad incumbents

• Capgemini Engineering: Large engineering services arm of Capgemini (which acquired Cambridge Consultants). Comparable to DefProc in delivering end-to-end hardware and connected product engineering, but as part of a much broader digital and engineering services portfolio.
• PA Consulting: Global consulting and innovation firm with a dedicated technology and product development practice. Overlaps with DefProc in helping clients take hardware and connected product ideas to market, but operates at much larger scale and across many industries beyond DefProc's core verticals.
• Crowcon Detection Instruments: Established UK-based manufacturer of fixed and portable gas detection equipment for industrial safety. Comparable to DefProc in the UK gas detection category and a potential competitor or partner for scaled hydrogen sensor deployment.
• Science Group: UK-listed technology and product development services group (parent of Sagentia) operating across regulated, industrial, and medical sectors. Comparable to DefProc at the parent level as a scaled UK provider of hardware-led product development services.

Direct peers

• Cambridge Consultants: UK-based product development and technology consultancy that takes clients from concept through to market-ready hardware products across medical, industrial, and consumer categories. Comparable to DefProc in offering end-to-end hardware engineering services, though at significantly larger scale and broader sector reach.
• Sagentia: UK-based product development and technology consulting firm offering end-to-end engineering services from feasibility to market launch. Comparable to DefProc in delivering regulated, hardware-led product development programmes for enterprise clients across medical, industrial, and energy sectors.
• Plextek: UK electronics and product design consultancy offering custom hardware design, wireless (including LoRaWAN-related) and IoT development. Closely comparable to DefProc in size, geography, and the type of early-to-mid TRL product work delivered to enterprise clients.
• TTP (The Technology Partnership): UK technology and product development consultancy that helps clients create new physical products and spin out businesses. Comparable to DefProc in its concept-to-commercialisation model and focus on deep tech hardware, though at materially larger scale and with broader sector coverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/defproceng
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/defproc-engineering
• Instagraminstagram.com/defproceng/?hl=en
• Facebookfacebook.com/defproc

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DefProc Engineering