Stephen Grant

💷🇬🇧 Fintech remains the UK’s most heavily funded sector, with standout investments in companies like Monzo Bank and Moneybox. Healthtech followed closely, with London-based femtech startup Flo raising $200 million, marking Europe’s first femtech unicorn. Other key segments drawing investor attention in 2024 include generative AI and autonomous mobility. 📈 From AllFocal Optics (formerly Lark Optics) to Scalpel AI and Diffblue, the UK has seen some notable funding rounds recently. Here, we present a roundup of the latest UK startup funding activity that may pique your interest. 🤖 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eMFjG7aA Hometree - Simon Phelan autone - Adil Bouhdadi, Harry Glucksmann Cheslaw CULT MIA - Nina Briance iGent AI - Sean Ward, Martin Szummer Auquan - Chandini Jain, Shubham Jain GridBeyond - Michael Phelan, Richard O' Loughlin Mindtech Global Limited - Steve Harris Birl - Cam McGimpsey, Peter Lydon Anam.ai - Caoimhe Murphy, Ben Carr Definition Health - Sandeep Chauhan, Rosie Scott #tech #funding #news #UKtech #fintech #UKstartup #VC #womenintech #fundinground #technology #startup #investment #innovation

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The NHS: A Unique Playground for Scaling Startups 🏥 With the UK healthtech sector valued at over £24 billion in 2021 and London leading the charge as Europe’s top healthtech hub, you’d think scaling a startup in the NHS would be straightforward. Yet, this journey has humbled even the boldest founders. Why? The NHS isn’t just a healthcare system—it’s a labyrinth. From navigating endless trusts and untangling procurement webs to earning clinical validation, the path to success often feels more like a test of endurance than innovation 🌀 So, how can founders thrive in this intricate ecosystem? The key lies in shifting focus. Forget “time to exit”—it’s all about “time to integration.” Only by embedding solutions seamlessly into the NHS can startups unlock their true potential and impact. 📖 Dive into our full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/ervyGmGz Written by: Andrew M. #HealthTech #Startups #Innovation #NHS #VentureCapital #ScalingStartups #HealthcareEcosystem #Entrepreneurship #HealthInnovation #LondonStartups

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HeyFlow | Female* reproductive health inclusion at work, a female-led startup, secures £235K from Aer Venture Studios to champion women’s workplace health. Their goal? To tackle the often-overlooked issue of women's reproductive health at work. Did you know 31% of women face severe health challenges in the workplace annually? HeyFlow's innovative platform aims to change that, providing crucial insights to reshape workplace behaviors. Co-founder Sophie Creese's vision is clear: "We're set to shake up the future of work".  https://lnkd.in/eUQsc8kn #WomenAtWork #WorkplaceWellness #HRInnovation 

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We know that some of you are out there, sitting in front of your laptop looking for grants (maybe you're on a sun bed somewhere trying not to think about grants). 🍹 Either way, here are some on a plate for you. 👇 And if you want a bigger selection of grants, our Live Funding Database is launching again to another batch of founders very soon. Interested? Get on the waitlist and be the first to know when it goes live. ⚡ (link in comments) September fundraising frenzy sorted. #UKGrants #Fundraising #ImpactFounders #Accelerators

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Today, on International Men’s Day, we’re spotlighting an important conversation about men’s health. 🚀💡 In this episode of The Start-Up Diaries Podcast, we’re joined by Jamie Smith Webb, CTO at Numan a company revolutionising men's healthcare. Numan empowers men to take control of their health through a fully integrated digital platform offering diagnostics, personalised medication plans, supplements, clinical care, and digital health programs—all tailored to treat common health conditions. In this episode, Jamie shares insights on: 💻 The technical challenges of transitioning Numan from an e-commerce business into a service. 📜 The complexities of digitising healthcare, balancing innovation with regulatory compliance. 🌍 How Numan’s product focus has shaped the diversity of their team. 📈 Their exciting plans for growth. 👨‍💼 Jamie’s career journey, including the leap to managing managers and his approach to leadership. This conversation is a testament to the strides being made in men’s health and the innovative leaders behind them. Listen to the full episode now and join the movement towards better health for men. 🙌 🎙️ https://lnkd.in/eMEaFrpF

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It's a big day for Scotland's tech ecosystem! Our client EIE, the world-leading showcase for entrepreneurial innovation, returns after a two-year hiatus with an exciting new format. Over the next two days, EIE24 will bring together around 100 investors and nearly 30 cutting-edge Scottish tech companies in sectors like sustainable energy, healthtech, and fintech. But it's more than just a pitch event. EIE24 aims to cultivate authentic connections between founders, investors, and ecosystem partners to align expectations and provide the support these companies need to scale. As EIE24 Lead Duncan Martin says, the goal is creating an environment for these vital relationships to flourish. Hosted by BBC Innovation Correspondent Laura Goodwin, EIE24 will take place in the capital’s most prestigious venues including Edinburgh Castle, Dynamic Earth and The University of Edinburgh. EIE24 promises insightful keynotes, panels, and invaluable networking. Previous EIE events have supported over 540 companies, helping them go on to raise more than £1.2 billion in downstream funding, all eyes are on this year's cohort as Scotland's tech potential takes the global stage. As Wellbeing Economy Secretary Màiri McAllan MSP noted, nurturing this investment environment is "key to Scotland's future prosperity." For the full story on how EIE24 is catalysing groundbreaking connections in Scotland's entrepreneurial tech ecosystem, read more here: https://shorturl.at/ghCE5 #ScottishInvestment #TechEcosystem #PR #TechnologyPR #ScottishTech

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Advance your startup journey with Series A funding! 🚀 This crucial stage in venture capital financing drives growth, expands market reach, and lays the groundwork for future funding rounds.  Read our Series A funding guide for more information: https://lnkd.in/ecr3jf54 #seriesafunding  #startups  #businessstartups  #ukstartups  #startupfinancing  #accountingservices

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🌟 We are excited to support London’s Largest Demo Day! 🌟   Attention founders! 📢 We’re thrilled to support Rare Founders with this amazing event and invite you to apply for a chance to pitch your startup to a room full of top investors.   🗓️ Event Date: Monday, 14 October 2024   🔍 Eligibility Criteria:   •  Any sector, any location •  Pre-Seed (post MVP), Seed, Series A stages •  Clear vision for global expansion and actively fundraising   📅 Key Dates:   •  Applications close on 16 August 2024 •  Applications will be reviewed by 40+ investor partners •  Top 100 companies announced by mid-September •  Pitching day is 14 October 2024   💡 Why Apply?   •  Present your startup to hundreds of investors •  Even if not selected, gain significant exposure as your application will be reviewed by numerous investor partners   Apply now and let’s drive innovation together. 🚀 https://lnkd.in/eUNxqyMs   #startup #founders #investment #DemoDay #pitching #networking #LondonEvents #rarefounders

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Workshops to help women raise their skills to secure funding/ investment 👊

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Dom Hallas from Startup Coalition shares his thoughts on the fundraising challenges that entrepreneurs from across the UK often encounter, particularly those outside of London.📣 Britain's Got Startups is on a mission to close the innovation gap between London and other regions, spotlighting overlooked regions and empowering underrepresented groups, including women and minority groups.💡 📍Our recent study with shipshape.vc’s data reveals the disparities between London and regions like the South East, South West, the Midlands, and the North of England, take a look here: https://lnkd.in/d6mNWiv9 https://lnkd.in/duDg6wNR https://lnkd.in/dmSeTUU9 Join us in creating a more inclusive and vibrant startup ecosystem across the nation!💫 Apply to pitch at one of our upcoming events here:👇 https://lnkd.in/gun4MG6E #BritainsGotStartups #inclusion #startups #scaleups #innovation #fundraising #fundraisingchallenges #regions #entrepreneurs #apply

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Cohort 3 Have Arrived 🎉 We are beyond excited to announce the launch of the third cohort of the GoodTech Ventures Accelerator – a 6-week, intensive programme designed to support early-stage ventures with a focus on scaling their impact through technology. For this cohort, we’ve partnered with Techspace at their brand new Goswell Road location to provide our founders with a dynamic, collaborative environment where our founders can grow, learn, and connect. The programme kicked off on November 5th and will culminate in a pitch showcase on January 23rd, 2025, at Techspace Shoreditch. After an overwhelming number of applications, we’re excited to introduce 11 incredible ventures that have been selected to join us for this cohort. Each of these ventures will receive a £3,000 grant to help implement their learning outcomes from the accelerator. Meet the Cohort 3 Ventures: 🟢 Maxim VR (Lisa F.) - Reimagining mental health support with immersive VR for young people. 🟢 Pillow (Lesley Sackey) - Empowering survivors of abuse by providing essential resources and support. 🟢 Securium Ltd (Dr Anna Vartapetiance and @Dr. Lee Gillam) - Protecting individuals and businesses through advanced cyber-intelligence. 🟢 Libra.Law (Paul Massey) - Delivering AI-driven legal assistance to bridge the justice gap. 🟢 Voda: The LGBTQIA+ Mental Health App (Jaron Soh, Kris Jack, PhD🌈 & Chris Sheridan MBACP (Accred), FRSA) - Providing LGBTQIA+ affirming mental health support. 🟢 Aposto (Cathy Long) - Improving event safety and security with innovative tech solutions. 🟢 Kind. (Louis Allen FRSA & Jack Duddy, FRSA) - Redefining mental health improvement through human connection and collective wellbeing. 🟢 Flank (CJ Tayeh) - Building AI-driven tools for conflict resolution and improved relationships. 🟢 BERRI (Dr Miriam Silver)- Helping children with complex needs improve mental health and neurodiversity outcomes. 🟢 Socialheads (https://socialheads.co.uk/) (Jeremy N Pitt) - Streamlining tools for social workers to engage with young people in care. 🟢 Autsera (Dr Inas Ismail & Omar Massoud) - Enabling children to develop social communication skills independently, at their own pace. Throughout the programme, founders will benefit from expert-led workshops and tailored support in areas like sales (Daniel Wardle), finance (Charlie Robinson), impact strategy (Candice Hampson) investment (Katherine Marcham), product development (Katie Bell), and pitch performance (Emma Zangs). The programme is delivered by Catch22 in partnership with Social Tech Trust and Unity Ventures with funding and support from Ufi VocTech Trust, Microsoft and the UK government through the Greater London Authority and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. We can’t wait to see these ventures thrive and scale their impact over the coming weeks! 🙌 Photographer: Caitlin Lock 😍 #GoodTechVentures #ImpactTech #TechForGood

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🚀 Introducing Place Insight: A groundbreaking platform designed to empower local authorities, businesses, and community organisations with critical, location-specific data. 🌍 Built on over a decade of collaboration with local actors across the UK, Place Insight draws on innovative tools like the globally recognised Social Progress Index™ to turn complex data into actionable insights. 📊 The challenges of navigating the data landscape often slow down progress. Place Insight changes that by simplifying the process, making it easier for decision-makers to create impactful, data-driven policies efficiently. 📢 Ready to see the difference Place Insight can make? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eTSstgUv #DataDrivenDecisions #SocialProgress #PlaceInsight #PolicyInnovation

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✨🆕✨ We’re delighted to present our Inclusive Social Investing report featuring our latest impact data and learnings from our focus on “inclusive investing” in UK social enterprises led by women and/or Black, Asian and ethnically diverse founders. We've identified that these founders are experiencing a "trust deficit" in social investment and we recommend that investors change their approaches by: 1. Taking the time to build relationships 2. Providing pre-investment support 3. Focusing on the resilience of founders rather than just the growth of the social enterprise Our early evidence shows this strategy leads to stronger, impact-focused investment partnerships and better repayment performance. While this “trust opportunity” needs to be further monitored and understood, there may be advantages to inclusive investment that have not been previously recognised or appreciated! We hope our report inspires you to explore opportunities for inclusive market development. Please share it with your network and use it to ignite helpful conversations. Read “Inclusive Social Investing: unlocking opportunities" here and below ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eetrNZ7W With thanks to: Our investment partners: 2-3 Degrees, bthechange CIC, BERRI, Enna, Equal Education, Fair Finance, Farm Urban, Fat Macy's, The Hummingbird Project NI, Innovating Minds, Kineara, Moneyline, Niyo Group, Open Door Charity, Paws & Pause, Pinc College, South Lake Medical Centre, The New Leaf Initiative C.I.C., TellJO, Thrive Mental Wellbeing, Your Own Place CIC. Our funders: Access - The Foundation for Social Investment, Comic Relief, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Golden Bottle Trust (C. Hoare & Co.), J O Hambro Capital Management, HM Government, MariaMarina Foundation and high net worth individuals. #InclusiveInvesting #ImpactFirstInvesting #SocialInvesting #SocialInvestors #SocialInvestment #SocialEnterprises #SocialEntrepreneurs #Diversity #RacialEquality #GenderEquality #EqualityImpactInvesting

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Unlock your Space2Create in #Doncaster Tranche 3 funding is now open. Click here for info > https://lnkd.in/eJqfnnMN Space2Create is an uncomplicated and creative approach to deliver a grant incentive scheme, to encourage applicants across all sectors, with a particular focus on those within the Creative, Digital, Heritage, Leisure and Food sectors and commercial property owners, to deliver enterprising uses for spaces across the City, to enable further development and utilisation of spaces as part of the enterprise ecosystem. The grant will support the implementation of ideas and showcase novel uses of spaces – including events space, co-working, and trialling innovations, local supply, the circular economy. ---------- This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/dYb7d27d #UKSPF #funding #grants #innovation #creative #digital #tech Doncaster Council South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority South Yorkshire Business Support

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Check out the latest issue of Startups Magazine - covering our #BE100. We're looking for 1,000 planet positive startups and scaleups to apply to pitch to hundreds of investors with access to £100 million in funds. As one of Europe’s biggest pitch and scale opportunities for green and environmental innovators, the BE100 competition is free and open to business of all sizes. https://lnkd.in/e9DYkZRT #ImpactInvestment #startup #scaleupbusiness

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With the UK healthtech market projected at £3 billion by 2025. Innovation is booming, and the next big breakthrough could be just around the corner! We’re a dynamic angel syndicate connecting visionary investors with healthtech pioneers to drive the next wave of medical innovation. We back early-stage healthtech founders solving the hardest problems in healthcare delivery. 👩‍🔬 For Startups: We’re here to fuel your journey from pre-seed to seed, with the funding, expertise, and network you need to scale your impact. 💼 For Investors: Join a collective of forward-thinking investors dedicated to transforming healthtech and medtech landscapes. Our Investment Criteria 🔹 Early-Stage Focus: Ideation to Seed 🔹 Sector Expertise: HealthTech, MedTech, Digital Health, and more 🔹 Impact & Scalability: Ventures with strong growth potential 🔹 Passionate Founders: Teams dedicated to meaningful innovation At Pulse Angels, we're more than just investors; we're partners in building a healthier future. Make sure to follow this page for further updates! #HealthTech #MedTech #DigitalHealth #Innovation #StartupFunding #AngelInvestors 

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✍🏻 Our latest study reaffirms the value that Social Outcomes Contracts bring to public service delivery, helping to prevent social problems and delivering meaningful change for the community. Our Managing Director, Aman Johal tells Impact-Investor.com, "We think this co-payment model in particular works very well. We would really like to see more central government-backed outcome funds in the areas where there is already a significant track record of where this works, such as homelessness, health, children’s services, education and employment." Read the full article to discover why SOCs are considered the best way to offer flexible, holistic solutions to the most challenging social issues. 🔗 https://bit.ly/3VmMh8g #SocialOutcomesContracts #SocialInvestment

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Thinking of applying to the High Growth AI Accelerator for Innovate UK BridgeAI? We’ve partnered with Digital Catapult to discover how AI can support the huge opportunities for growth and innovation in the music industry, and redefine how music is created, produced, consumed and distributed. Join us for a webinar at 11am today to find out more about: 🚀 How to apply and the selection criteria 🚀 What support and resources are available 🚀 How you can get involved and contribute to solving real-world industry challenges Register for the event through the link in the comments. 🔗 STFC Hartree Centre | The Alan Turing Institute | BSI #musicindustry #musicbusiness #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #startup #musictech

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