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Misti AI has secured 拢250,000 in pre-seed funding led by Fuel Ventures, with the current round open and actively closing toward a 拢500k target.

The startup is seeking to transform existing camera infrastructure into real-time operational awareness within heavy industries. The company鈥檚 platform converts passive video feeds into structured data, enabling autonomous monitoring, safety compliance, and operational insights across industrial environments.

It has begun deployments across remote industrial operations in Latin America, including mining and energy sites operating in low-connectivity, high-risk environments – where real-time visibility has historically been impossible.

has appointed Graham Harle, the former CEO of Gleeds, as a non-executive director to accelerate its strategic growth.

fu3e, a regular on 叠耻蝉颈苍别蝉蝉颁濒辞耻诲鈥檚 PropTech 50 ranking, is an enterprise SaaS platform transforming operational workflows for the real estate and investment industry.

Harle has joined fu3e鈥檚 board to support commercial strategy, institutional client engagement and international expansion.

Harle served in senior roles at Gleeds from 1995. He most recently led the company as CEO from 2019-26, driving significant growth, digital and ESG transformation as well as global expansion across Europe, the United States and Asia.

This month he moved into a NED role at the international construction and property consultancy. He also serves on boards in the real estate and investor community.

Social Chain owner Brave Bison has appointed a non-executive director and reported its final results for 2025.

The AIM-listed marketing and technology company said net revenue for the calendar year was 拢34.1 million, up 60% on 2024 (拢21.3m). Adjusted EBITDA climbed 51% to 拢6.8m.

Statutory profit before tax was 拢700,000, down 65% from 拢2m in 2024, following five acquisitions in the period – including Builtvisible, MTM, MiniMBA and M+C Saatchi Performance – which cost a total of 拢2.3m.

The results are ahead of recently upgraded consensus expectations.

 

StudentCrowd has completed a 拢7 million series A funding round led by YFM Equity Partners.

Based in Wolverhampton, the firm is a data and insights platform serving the top 30 operators in the purpose-built student accommodation sector. It has helped over 14 million students find accommodation to date.

The round was also backed by the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, through fund manager Mercia Ventures.

Author: Jonathan Symcox

A Newcastle-based robotics firm is set for a crucial insolvency hearing this morning.

Wootzano, once considered one of the brightest lights in the North East tech scene, is facing shutdown after a court order initiated by Innovate UK Loans froze its bank accounts for months.

Founder Dr Atif Syed labelled the scheme – ostensibly a supporter of innovative UK companies – an 鈥渋nsolvency accelerator鈥� last year on social media.

With Wootzano subject to insolvency proceedings initiated by Innovate UK Loans, a source told 老九品茶Cloud that a hearing is scheduled at the Court of Session in Edinburgh – Scotland鈥檚 supreme civil court – today at 10am.

The source added that its bank accounts remain frozen, leaving it unable to fund a legal appeal.

The University of York, in partnership with Lifted Ventures, is launching a new initiative to support women across the region to become angel investors and back the next generation of female entrepreneurs.

鈥楢 New Era for Women Angels in York & North Yorkshire鈥� is a funded programme designed to equip women with the knowledge, confidence, and networks needed to begin investing in high-potential businesses across the region.

Delivered through Lifted Ventures鈥� Angel Academy, the initiative will bring together a cohort of 15 aspiring women investors and guide them from initial interest through to confident, informed investment activity.

GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub has announced the full cohort of 24 founder-led businesses selected for ASCEND Scale Up Cohort 3, with the programme officially kicking off at a residential retreat at Mottram Hall in Cheshire.

Now in its third year, ASCEND is GM 老九品茶 Growth Hub’s flagship programme for ambitious founders across Greater Manchester, offering expert-led workshops, personalised mentoring, peer learning and access to the region’s wider business ecosystem.

The programme is delivered in partnership with KPMG and RBC Brewin Dolphin.

This year’s cohort is the most diverse in the programme’s history. Selected from a competitive application process involving hundreds of businesses from across the city-region, the 24 companies span more than ten industry sectors 鈥� from health and life sciences and construction to consumer products, facilities management, education and technology.

Author: Lee Rorison, founder and CEO, Seri枚s Group (and lifelong fan of Sunderland AFC)

Football is one of the most emotional industries in the world, capturing the hearts and minds of fans from a young age.

They come back every time, despite the occasional heartbreak. It鈥檚 a masterclass in brand loyalty; but there are other teachable moments for businesses beyond legions of die-hard fans.

Behind the chants, rivalries, last-minute goals and dramatics from players looking to delay and distract, sits an increasingly complex business operation.听

Like a top signing, accessible, cohesive and responsive data can change your game entirely. Our work with Sunderland AFC is a good example of how data can take you from the underdog, to snapping at the heels of the best the Premier League has to offer.听聽

While we can鈥檛 take credit for the goals, I鈥檒l simply say our relationship with the club began in 2022.

For businesses looking to do the same, treat your data like Sunderland AFC treats matchday preparation. Because in both cases, better information leads to better decisions 鈥� and better decisions.

Author: Adam Brinn, managing director, Growth Lending

In a fast-moving economy, opportunity doesn鈥檛 hang around for long. Markets turn quickly, supply chains adjust, and customers demand shifts, sometimes in the space of a quarter.

For SMEs, timing isn鈥檛 a secondary consideration anymore. It can be the difference between leading and lagging.

What separates many of today鈥檚 high-growth firms isn鈥檛 size or sector. It鈥檚 the confidence of leaders to act when opportunities arise 鈥� and how quickly they do it.

Speed is not recklessness. The ability to move swiftly is the reward for thorough planning and preparation.

In this market, the businesses prepared to move are the ones shaping it.

Author: Jonathan Symcox

If hard work truly pays off, then Raji Kudus Adewale is a prime example.

Born in Nigeria, Raji came to Scotland in December 2022 with one suitcase and his brother by his side. He had a degree, was studying for an MSc at Glasgow Caledonian University and had data skills after building tech products on contract back home.

But what he did not have was any understanding of how the UK job market actually worked – or anyone to help him figure it out.

Unsuccessful with all the junior data roles he applied for in 2023, it was another, very different job rejection that really hit home.

鈥淭he moment that broke me 鈥� and then rebuilt me 鈥� was getting rejected for a kitchen porter position at the Radisson Red hotel in Glasgow,鈥� he explains.

鈥淚 had studied data science. I had built machine learning models. I had an MSc underway. And I could not get a job washing dishes.鈥�

In May 2024 鈥� 14 months after that kitchen porter rejection 鈥� he received an offer from JP Morgan Chase as a senior product associate.听

So how did he get there? And how did he come to launch – “the platform I wished had existed when I was washing plates鈥�?

Author: Ben McKay, COO, Voxelo

As a first-time founder, I think I鈥檓 meant to start these pieces with a 鈥楳onday morning, another 3am start鈥︹�� type opener.

Instead, it was a lazy 7am start in the gym with my kids. Two budding rugby players. A great start to any week.

But before we dive in, let me frame the week with a quick intro.

In grandiose terms, I鈥檓 COO of Voxelo, introducing a new 3D layer to the world of eCommerce.

In plain terms, we鈥檙e helping people feel more confident about buying things online.

Both are true, and holding them together is what makes this role pretty exhilarating.

Voxelo is a new type of virtual studio for ecommerce. We turn a simple product video into a 3D digital twin.

We鈥檙e three co-founders based in Manchester: CEO Vladimir Mulhem, CTO Roman Bromidge and me.

So what does a typical week look like for me?

Author: Jonathan Symcox

Mike Says is to retire as CEO of GB Bank after leading the challenger brand from pre-authorisation to profitability.

He will be succeeded by Eddie Trahearn, currently chief strategy & financial officer – subject to regulatory approval – at the end of April 2026.

Since joining in 2021, Say has overseen a period of rapid growth and transformation. Under his leadership, GB Bank secured its full banking licence, raised growth capital to support expansion, grew the lending book to approximately 拢800 million, built an institutional funding line franchise supported by a diversified deposit platform, and increased the balance sheet 7x to over 拢2 billion.听

Green marine tech firm聽Sulnox Group Plc has reported record revenues.

The London firm, which aims to deliver measurable improvements in fuel efficiency, emissions and performance, is listed on the Aquis Stock Exchange and traded on the OTC Market in the US.

For the year ended 31st March 2026, revenues topped 拢2.6 million compared with 拢1.2m in the prior year – up 134%. It did not report on P&L.

It said repeat sales drove expansion across global marine markets, supported by multiple new customers. It reported engagement with around 100 shipping companies, up from 55 a year ago.

Post period-end, Sulnox raised 拢2m to support continued commercial expansion and further investment in R&D.

Author: Jonathan Symcox

ZOO Digital Group plc has reported a fall in annual revenues – but profits jumped after it slashed millions off its cost base for the second successive year.

The Sheffield-based firm, which has offices in the United States, works with some of the world鈥檚 biggest streaming platforms on subtitling and dubbing content.

For the year ended 31st March 2026, the media group expects to report adjusted EBITDA of at least $3.8 million – in line with market expectations – compared with $1.1m in the previous year. The year before that, it reported a $13.6m loss.听

Author: Jonathan Symcox

North East technology firm Vianet Group plc has named a new CEO alongside steady annual results.

Vianet, based in Stockton-on-Tees,聽provides data analytics to vending machine companies and pubs, using its technology to link machinery to the internet and to track data and customer spending patterns. Its products include software used by pubs and bars to track information about sales and stock levels.

The firm was founded in 1995 and has been AIM-listed since 2006. It connects 40,000 retail machines and 10,000 hospitality venues – across 300+ customers, with a strong presence in the United States – with technology and insights.

James Dickson will step down as CEO and return to his role as chairman of the board. Craig Brocklehurst, who in 2019 was promoted from commercial operations director to head up the company鈥檚 smart zones division – which focuses on its pub work – will become CEO on 31st May 2026.

Author: Bradley Russell, head of Manchester & North West, UBS Global Wealth Management

An exit is rarely just a transaction; it is often a complex process. For founders, it is the moment when years of effort, reinvestment, and concentrated risk are converted into personal capital.

The deal may be the headline, but the more important questions often begin afterwards.

After years spent building and leading a business, entrepreneurs can move quickly from running a company to stewarding significant private wealth. Alongside the financial shift comes a personal one: a change in pace, identity, and long-term ambition.听

Three themes tend to shape that next chapter most clearly: liquidity, longevity and legacy.

Author: Jonathan Symcox

London e-bike operator Forest has secured a further 拢27 million in funding, taking its total Series B round to 拢40m.

The investment comes at a time of significant growth for the business, which has cemented its position as a market leader in London鈥檚 shared e-bike sector – the largest in the world.听

Forest, which entered London鈥檚 bike share market in 2020, has scaled its user base to 1.5m – representing 100% year-on-year growth – and now completes 2m rides per month across 18 boroughs in the capital.听

The funding round sees Forest鈥檚 e-bike manufacturer take a minority stake in the company. The strategic partnership with OKAI, a sector first, gives Forest direct input into the design and build of its fleet.听

Author: Jonathan Symcox

LemFi, a financial services platform for underserved communities globally, is investing 拢100 million in the UK over the next five years as it selects London as its new global headquarters.

The announcement was made by the UK Government during the state visit of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria.

LemFi serves more than two million global customers, enabling cross-border payments to over 30 countries.

Smart money app Plum has announced that the company reached operational profitability for the first time in January 2026.听

Plum has multiple income streams spanning customer subscriptions, asset-based revenue and transaction revenue, which have together contributed to the company achieving this positive EBITDA milestone.

The app has benefited from steep growth in the last 18 months. Hundreds of thousands of new customers have been actively using Plum to manage their money, taking overall downloads to more than 5 million.听

YFM Equity Partners has invested 拢7.6m from its Buyout Funds into Swanky, a full-service Shopify Platinum agency headquartered in Exeter.

Swanky specialises in helping ambitious retailers and brands launch, scale and optimise their eCommerce operations within the Shopify ecosystem.

Founded by Dan McIvor and led by Dan Partridge since 2021, Swanky has expanded its team to around 70 employees.

YFM鈥檚 investment will support Swanky鈥檚 continued growth, including further investment in talent and service capability, as well as pursuing selective M&A opportunities.

As part of the transaction, Chris Hirst (formerly Global CEO at Havas Creative Group) joins Swanky as its chair. Elly Adams (formerly PWC and Oxygen House Group) joins the board as CFO, and Amy Dougan has been promoted to COO. Matt Giles remains an executive board member as co-founder and chief creative officer.