MediaCity-based technology company Captive Devices Ltd has been bought by AIM-listed group Oxford Metrics in a transaction valued at up to £750,000.
Founded in 2024, the Manchester business develops professional head-mounted camera systems and software that enable markerless facial performance capture. Its technology integrates with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, allowing real-time facial tracking and review during production workflows for visual effects, video games, and virtual production.
Under the terms of the takeover, Oxford Metrics is acquiring the entire issued share capital of Captive Devices from shareholders Greyhound Industry Ltd, EEInsights Ltd, and Periscope Technical Ltd. The business is being bought on a cash-free, debt-free basis.
The total consideration comprises an initial £250,000 cash payment from existing funds and £300,000 worth of Oxford Metrics ordinary shares allotted quarterly over a 24-month period. An additional cash earn-out of up to £200,000 is contingent on future gross profit performance from sales of the facial capture system.
Captive Devices recorded unaudited revenue of £500,000 for the financial year ended 30 April 2026, generating gross margins in line with Oxford Metrics’ subsidiary, Vicon Motion Systems. Following the deal, Captive Devices’ founding team will join Vicon, integrating its markerless facial performance tools into Vicon’s existing body-tracking motion capture platform.
Imogen O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Metrics, said: “This is exactly the kind of targeted investment we want to make in Vicon – adding differentiated technology and specialist expertise in an area that builds directly on our existing strengths.”
The sale follows regulatory filings from Oxford Metrics for the six months ended 31 March 2026, which showed group revenue reached £20.7 million, with its Vicon motion capture unit generating £16.3 million. The transaction allows Captive Devices to scale its Manchester-developed facial tracking intellectual property across Vicon’s international customer base.
Image source: Captive Devices
