TrapDtek Raises Seed Round Led by Royal College of Art Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund

TrapDtek Secures Seed Funding to Advance Wearable Rescue Technology

London-based safety-technology startup TrapDtek has raised a Seed round led by the Royal College of Art Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund. The funding date is recorded as 1 October 2026. The round type is Seed, and the sole investor listed is the Royal College of Art Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund. The funding amount was not disclosed.

What TrapDtek Does

TrapDtek builds wearable rescue indicators for first responders operating in hazardous, signal-degraded environments. According to the company, its technology is designed for situations such as collapsed structures, dense smoke, or remote wilderness, where conventional communication and location tools can fail.

The core product is a self-charging wearable device that harvests radio-frequency energy, allowing it to stay powered without cables or battery swaps. Rescue teams can activate the device remotely from up to roughly 10 km away. Once activated, the wearable emits a high-intensity light intended to help triangulate the wearer's position, even if the individual is unconscious or immobilized.

Company Background

TrapDtek was founded by Hunter McFarlane and was incubated at InnovationRCA, the innovation arm of the Royal College of Art. The company's progress to date includes:

• Winning an Innovate UK Catalyst grant in 2025.
• Completing Ofcom-licensed field trials in Snowdonia in 2026.
• Securing backing from the RCA Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund.

The company is based in London and operates in the safety-technology sector, with a focus on first-responder equipment.

Why This Round Matters

The Seed investment from the Royal College of Art Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund provides TrapDtek with backing from an investor connected to its incubation roots. The fund's participation signals continued support for the company's approach to wearable rescue indicators and its progress through grant funding and licensed field trials.

For a startup developing hardware for hazardous environments, the combination of grant validation, regulatory field trials, and early institutional backing can be relevant to future commercial and strategic discussions. The Seed round adds to the company's existing support base as it continues to develop its self-charging, remotely activated rescue wearable.

Key Facts

• Company: TrapDtek
• Headquarters: London
• Sector: Safety technology / wearable rescue indicators
• Founder: Hunter McFarlane
• Incubation: InnovationRCA (Royal College of Art innovation arm)
• Round type: Seed
• Funding date: 1 October 2026
• Lead investor: Royal College of Art Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund
• Investors: Royal College of Art Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund
• Funding amount: Not disclosed
• Prior milestones: Innovate UK Catalyst grant (2025); Ofcom-licensed field trials in Snowdonia (2026)

Outlook

TrapDtek's Seed round, led by the Royal College of Art Design & Innovation S/EIS Fund, positions the company alongside other early-stage safety-technology ventures. The company's focus on signal-degraded environments and remote activation distinguishes its wearable from conventional rescue indicators. As TrapDtek moves forward with backing from its lead investor, its progress in field trials and grant-funded development will be worth watching.