Bright
Future Predicted For Porsche Video Visionary
Launching
a company based on his own discovery is the fulfilment
of a dream for Ben Hounsell.
The 26-year-old Edinburgh University postgraduate
has established Adaptive Programmable Silicon
while still completing his microelectronics PhD.
The one-man firm, based in an office on the university’s
science campus, will exploit Hounsell’s invention
of high performance processors, H3P, which boost
the capabilities of electronic equipment (such
as third generation mobile phones) by speeding
up the transmission of video images.
Mr Hounsell has kicked off with a £40,000 Royal
Society of Edinburgh fellowship grant last month
- about half of which is salary. The scientist
said the grant saved him from having to seek funding
from loans. He plans to woo investors, build a
core team and move into new premises as the firm
develops.
He said: "This has been my dream - taking a technical
idea and running with it. I did not want to be
just stuck in a lab, but to get into the business
side too. I will have a foot in both camps, which
will be a huge learning experience."
He said running the enterprise himself was a much
greater motivating force than having to work equally
hard for a large company, but without the promise
of similar future rewards.
However, forecasting how much he might be worth
in a few years’ time was difficult. "If the
company does well, you do well yourself, but its
value is all on paper and you only see it when
you sell your stake."
Sharon Bamford, the director of the university's
science park, said: "Ben is very focused. He can
see a Porsche ahead."
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Launching
a company based on his own discovery is the fulfilment
of a dream for Ben Hounsell. 