Imbiba invests capital into data business, Openr, to supercharge growth
Openr, the data orchestration platform for hospitality operators, has secured a £3M investment from Imbiba, with additional funding from Octopus Ventures and majority shareholder Azzurri Group. The investment will fuel Openr’s product development and market expansion, supporting its mission to help hospitality businesses streamline operations and boost revenue. Openr’s platform replaces fragmented systems with a centralised solution that manages pricing, products, menus, and digital assets in real time, ensuring seamless distribution across all sales channels.
Founded in 2022, Openr has already gained traction with Azzurri Group brands and signed its first external customer, Stonegate, in 2024. With the new funding, Openr will launch two major product modules: Order Manager, a central hub for managing orders across multiple channels, and Performance Optimiser, an AI-driven tool for dynamic pricing and menu strategies. Founder Joel Robinson described the funding as a “game changer,” while Imbiba’s Andrew Maxwell praised Openr’s potential to redefine hospitality management with real-time insights and automation.
SMB financial management platform Mimo Raises £6.6M equity round
Mimo, the financial management platform designed for SMBs and accountants, has raised £6.6M in equity funding led by Project A, with support from returning investors Northzone and Seedcamp. Additionally, Mimo has secured a $125M embedded funding partnership with Froda to provide flexible working capital solutions to UK SMBs, with future expansion plans across Europe. The funding will enable Mimo to enhance its B2B payments platform and expand its team. Founded in 2023 by Henrik Grim, Alexander Gernandt Segerby, and Andreas Meisingseth, Mimo has rapidly grown its customer base and payment volumes, supporting businesses like Surreal, Wales Bonner, and Bold Bean, alongside accounting firms such as PM+M and TC Group.
Mimo’s platform integrates financial tools that automate invoice processing, payments, and bookkeeping, reducing administrative burdens for businesses and finance professionals. New features include Get Paid, an accounts receivable solution that improves cash flow management, and Fetch, an AI-driven invoice capture and bookkeeping automation tool. CEO Henrik Grim highlighted Mimo’s focus on helping SMBs and accountants save time and manage cash flow more effectively, while Project A’s Malin Posern praised Mimo’s impressive progress since launch. Northzone Partner Jessica Schultz also expressed confidence in Mimo’s continued growth, citing the team’s strong execution and product development.
YAi raises £250K SEIS to help agencies and brands create quality-assured AI content at scale
YAi, a platform designed to help marketing agencies and brands create, evaluate, and improve AI-generated content at scale, has raised £250,000 in SEIS funding from Jenson Ventures. This investment will accelerate product development, team expansion, and market growth as YAi positions itself as the quality control layer for AI-driven content creation. While AI tools have revolutionised content production, 90% of marketers still find AI-generated content requires significant editing. YAi addresses this challenge by integrating AI-powered creation, real-time quality evaluation, and automated improvement tools into a single workflow.
Unlike traditional AI writing tools, YAi’s platform enables marketers to generate text and imagery while automatically scoring content against a proprietary Content Evaluation Framework, assessing factors such as brand voice consistency, factual accuracy, and readability. With plans to introduce audio and video content capabilities later this year, YAi is set to become an essential tool for agencies managing campaigns at scale. The company’s founders—Yana Lapitskaya, Jessy Conflon, and Vyacheslav Lukin—bring expertise in digital marketing, AI, and machine learning, and with Jenson Ventures’ backing, YAi aims to embed its technology into global marketing workflows.
Zero Point Motion emerges from stealth with £4M Pre-Series A to revolutionise motion sensing
Zero Point Motion, a Bristol-based sensor technology startup, has emerged from stealth with a £4M pre-Series A funding round led by SCVC, Foresight Group, and Verve Ventures, alongside strategic investor u-blox AG. The company is pioneering a fusion of silicon photonics and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) to create ultra-low noise, miniaturised accelerometers and gyroscopes that are 100 times more sensitive than conventional sensors. By applying principles inspired by gravitational wave detection, Zero Point Motion is developing next-generation positioning and navigation sensors designed for resilience in GPS-denied environments, with applications across defence, space exploration, and autonomous systems.
With backing from top-tier investors and partnerships with world-leading foundries, Zero Point Motion has significantly accelerated its R&D capabilities, cutting iteration times from eight weeks to just one day. The company is focused on product qualification and customer deployment, leveraging its expanding patent portfolio to maintain a competitive edge. u-blox AG sees significant potential in integrating Zero Point Motion’s sensors into its product offerings to enhance positioning solutions in obstructed environments, while investors such as Foresight Group and SCVC highlight the transformative potential of the company’s technology for autonomous vehicles, robotics, and industrial applications.
Having previously secured £1.3M from the UK’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and a €2.4M grant from the European Innovation Council Accelerator, Zero Point Motion is now scaling to set a new standard in precision motion sensing. Founder and CEO Dr Lia Li, recognised for her technical leadership, aims to redefine motion sensing by pushing MEMS performance to new limits. As the demand for high-precision navigation solutions grows, Zero Point Motion is positioned to play a crucial role in advancing autonomy across industries that rely on resilient, high-performance sensor technology.
UNA Watch prepares to take on global giants after securing £300,000 investment for ‘world first’ repairable sports watch
UNA Watch, an Edinburgh-based wearable tech startup, has secured over £300,000 in investment from SFC Capital and a £100,000 Scottish EDGE award to support the development of its modular, repairable GPS sports watch. Designed to challenge disposable models from Apple and Garmin, UNA Watch allows users to replace screens, batteries, and sensors, reducing e-waste and aligning with the growing Right to Repair movement.
With over 7,000 sign-ups, 1,000 deposits, and projected Kickstarter revenue of £1 million, UNA Watch is gaining traction among consumers and investors alike. Early industry contracts, including a six-figure fatigue monitoring deal, have provided additional momentum. Founder Lewis Allison credits UNA Watch’s LEGO-like modular design for winning over investors, with SFC Capital’s Ed Stevenson describing the startup as a "bona fide disruptor" in the wearable tech space.
Inspired by frustration with disposable smartwatches, Allison teamed up with mechanical engineer Colin Crosland to develop a repairable alternative. UNA Watch plans to expand its modular platform with future upgrades, including advanced health tracking and cellular connectivity. The startup is preparing for its Kickstarter launch, targeting 5,000 unit sales in the UK and US.
Mixergy secures £12M funding led by Barclays Climate Ventures
Mixergy has successfully raised £12M in a funding round led by Barclays Climate Ventures, with continued support from Oxford Sciences Enterprises, Kiko Ventures (IP Group), Nesta, and EDP Ventures. The investment will drive Mixergy’s transition to a technology licensing and strategic partnership model, targeting new builds, social housing retrofits, and commercial properties. It will also boost the company’s R&D capabilities to further enhance its smart hot water solutions, which help reduce energy consumption and lower bills.
As the UK moves toward full electrification, Mixergy’s award-winning technology plays a key role in balancing grid supply and demand by acting as smart energy storage devices. Its hot water cylinders store cheap energy when available and release it as needed, helping integrate more renewable energy into the grid. The company has already set industry benchmarks, particularly in social housing, and its technology is embedded in the UK government’s new Home Energy Model.
With this new funding, Mixergy plans to expand its presence in the market, having formed strategic partnerships with Daikin, Birmingham City Council, and British Gas. The company has also appointed David Tuohy as Executive Chair, aiming to scale its technology across a broader range of channels. CEO Pete Armstrong emphasized that the investment will help Mixergy bring its solutions to more homes and buildings, contributing to both energy efficiency and grid capacity improvement.
StimOxyGen secures £1.5M to advance breakthrough therapy overcoming cancer treatment resistance
StimOxyGen, a spin-out from Ulster University, has secured £1.5M in funding, led by DSW Ventures, to accelerate the development of its breakthrough therapy designed to overcome treatment resistance in solid tumours. By delivering oxygen directly to tumours, the company’s lead candidate enhances the effectiveness of treatments such as radiotherapy and immunotherapy, offering new hope for patients with aggressive cancers. StimOxyGen will initially focus on pancreatic cancer, a disease with a five-year survival rate of just 13%. The investment, which includes backing from QUBIS, Co-Fund NI, and Innovate UK, will support preclinical studies, manufacturing scale-up, and team expansion as the company moves toward clinical trials.
Hypoxia—low oxygen levels within tumours—is a key factor in treatment failure, making cancers resistant to therapies like radiotherapy. StimOxyGen’s technology directly addresses this challenge by increasing tumour oxygenation, making resistant cancers more responsive to standard treatments. Preclinical studies have already demonstrated significant tumour reduction when combined with radiotherapy. CEO Sian Farrell emphasised the technology’s potential to transform cancer treatment by tackling one of its biggest barriers.
ImmuONE secures funding from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund for ‘3D lung’ to replace animal testing
ImmuONE, a UK biotech start-up developing a 3D human lung model as an alternative to animal testing, has secured an additional £600,000 from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, Mercia Ventures, and Pioneer Group. The company’s laboratory model is used to assess the safety of new drugs, chemicals, and consumer products, offering more reliable and reproducible results than traditional animal testing. This funding will support further development of its capabilities, expansion into new sectors such as agrichemicals and automotive, and the addition of two new scientists to its growing team.
Founded in 2019 by Dr Abigail Martin and Professor Victoria Hutter from the University of Hertfordshire, ImmuONE has rapidly gained traction with blue-chip clients. Following an initial £2M investment in 2023, the company relocated to larger premises in Milton Keynes and expanded its laboratory space in Stevenage. It has since broadened its service offerings, including advanced immunology tests to assess long-term lung effects and inflammation risks. ImmuONE nearly doubled its revenue in 2024 and is on track for similar growth in 2025, reinforcing its position as a leader in respiratory safety testing.
With increasing regulatory and industry demand for non-animal testing methods, ImmuONE is at the forefront of a global shift. CEO Dr Abigail Martin emphasised the company’s commitment to replacing animal testing with more accurate alternatives while actively engaging with regulators to drive industry-wide change. Investors, including Mercia Ventures and Pioneer Group, see ImmuONE as a pioneer in this space, poised to become a leading provider of next-generation laboratory models. The latest investment will enable the company to scale its impact, further refine its technology, and solidify its role in shaping the future of drug and chemical safety testing.
In other investment news
Visionaries Club appoints Judith Dada as General Partner to drive Europe’s tech future
Visionaries Club has appointed Judith Dada as General Partner, marking a significant move in its mission to back Europe's most ambitious entrepreneurs. Dada, an experienced investor with a track record of supporting fast-growing B2B startups, joins Visionaries Club to help build global category leaders in AI-first and software-driven industries.
Dada previously co-led La Famiglia, a successful seed-stage VC firm that backed major European tech players like Personio, Mistral, and Langdock. Before that, she launched Facebook’s VC Growth Initiative. Her experience aligns with Visionaries Club’s strategy of connecting Europe’s industrial giants with emerging tech solutions.
As General Partner, Dada will lead Visionaries Club’s B2B funds alongside founding partner Robert Lacher. Meanwhile, Sebastian Pollok will continue driving Visionaries Tomorrow, the firm’s industrial deep tech fund.
Dada described Visionaries Club as "the most special place in venture at the moment," praising the team’s obsession with growth and learning. Lacher added that Dada’s ambition, honesty, and human touch made her the ideal partner to help build a VC firm that defines Europe’s future in technology.
IAG to invest up to €200M with launch of IAGi Ventures
International Airlines Group (IAG) has announced the launch of IAGi Ventures, a new corporate venturing arm set to invest up to €200M in high-potential companies over the next five years. This move marks one of the largest investments of its kind globally and the most significant by a European airline group. IAGi Ventures will focus on early-stage investments in businesses driving innovation in customer experience, operations, and sustainability, while remaining open to opportunities across various growth stages.
Coinciding with the venturing arm’s launch, IAG is introducing its new external innovation brand, IAGi. This brand reflects the group's ambition to lead aviation innovation by adopting emerging technologies and new strategies to improve operations and enhance customer experiences. IAG’s Chief Information, Procurement, Services, and Innovation Officer, Jorge Saco, highlighted the importance of working with start-ups and scale-ups to address industry challenges and deliver greater value.
IAG is actively seeking partnerships with innovative businesses that offer solutions for the aviation sector. Entrepreneurs and innovators are encouraged to connect via the company’s website to explore collaboration opportunities. With IAGi Ventures and its accelerator programme, IAG is committed to fostering transformative ideas that will shape the future of air travel.
OpenOcean targets €130M final close for its fourth fund to back Europe’s early-stage startups
OpenOcean, a pan-European venture capital firm specialising in early-stage investments in AI-driven business software, has announced its fourth main venture fund, securing a €100M first close in 2024. With backing from Isomer Capital, KRR Fund of Funds, ELO pension company, and the European Investment Fund, the fund is targeting a €130M final close in H1 2025.
The new fund will support data-driven European startups, helping them scale globally. OpenOcean’s first investments include Embeddable, a customer-facing analytics startup, and Dreamfold.ai, an AI-powered protein search and design platform. With a history of successful exits—including Truecaller (IPO), LoopMe, and RapidMiner—OpenOcean continues to invest in transformative AI, data, and software-driven solutions.
General Partners Patrik Backman and Tom Henriksson emphasised OpenOcean’s hands-on, technical expertise in backing founders at the earliest stages. “We focus on teams with deep domain expertise and clear market demand,” said Backman. Henriksson added, “While the venture landscape shifts towards mega-funds, we see an immense opportunity to support Europe’s next category leaders.”
In international investment news
YC alum Conveo raises $5.3M seed round to revolutionize the market research industry
Conveo, a Y Combinator-backed startup, has raised $5.3M in seed funding to revolutionise the $120B market research industry with AI-powered video interviews. Trusted by global brands like Unilever, Orange, and Google, Conveo’s AI research coworker automates the entire qualitative research process—from project set-up to interviewing and analysis—delivering real-time insights at scale and at a fraction of the cost. By eliminating the bottlenecks of traditional research methods, Conveo enables businesses to make data-driven decisions faster and more effectively. Investors in this round include Y Combinator, 6 Degrees Capital, Entourage Capital, Pitchdrive, and Syndicate One.
Founded in April 2024 by Dieter De Mesmaeker and Hendrik Van Hove, Conveo was born out of frustration with slow and costly research processes. Drawing from their experiences in scaling businesses and consulting at McKinsey, the founders recognised AI’s potential to transform how organisations gather customer insights. Their AI-powered coworker not only conducts and analyses video interviews but also integrates existing research, making insights instantly accessible to any team, from researchers to executives. With this funding, Conveo plans to expand aggressively across the US and Europe, making real-time qualitative research the new industry standard.
Botguard raises €45M Series B led by Dawn Capital; rebrands to Blackwall
Blackwall, formerly known as Botguard, has raised a €45M Series B funding round led by Dawn Capital, with participation from existing investor MMC Ventures. The company, which specialises in AI-enabled security and web infrastructure, protects over 2.3 million websites and applications from malicious automated threats. With around 50% of global web traffic originating from bots—66% of which are malicious—Blackwall provides critical protection for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), partnering with Hosting Services Providers (HSPs) and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to secure web ecosystems at scale.
The fresh funding will support Blackwall’s expansion in the US and APAC markets, doubling its headcount and driving further product development. Its flagship solution, GateKeeper, is an advanced reverse proxy that hides servers from bot-driven cyberattacks, reducing operational costs and maximising server efficiency for HSPs and MSPs. CEO Nikita Rozenberg stated that Blackwall is committed to delivering enterprise-grade security to SMBs, a market traditionally underserved in the cybersecurity space. With backing from Dawn Capital and MMC, and the addition of key industry leaders to its board, Blackwall is poised to transform infrastructure protection for businesses worldwide.
Junction raises $18M Series A to build better healthcare infrastructure and improve patient experience
Junction, the healthcare infrastructure company, has secured an $18M Series A funding round led by Creandum, with participation from Y Combinator, Point Nine, and Amino Collective. This investment supports Junction’s mission to modernise healthcare infrastructure, enabling seamless data integration for organisations delivering care outside traditional hospital settings. Alongside the funding, the company has rebranded from Vital to Junction, with a new identity and website launching on March 11th — reflecting its role in connecting systems, data, and patient care.
Junction’s platform streamlines healthcare workflows by automating lab test orders, integrating results from over 10 labs, and connecting to more than 500 medical devices. By reducing manual processes and improving data visibility, Junction helps care providers deliver faster, more effective treatment while lowering costs. With over 140 healthcare organisations already using its platform — including Found, Parsley Health, and Evidation — Junction is poised to play a key role in the growing $250B virtual care market.
AI healthcare platform elea raises €4M to accelerate diagnoses and save lives
elea, an immersive AI platform designed to revolutionise healthcare, has raised €4M in funding from Fly Ventures and Giant Ventures, alongside a significant partnership with one of Germany’s largest MVZ hospital groups. This platform aims to address critical challenges in global healthcare, including staff shortages, physician burnout, and rising administrative burdens. Unlike traditional tools, elea acts as a true AI agent, using voice recognition and conversational AI to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and allow clinicians to focus on patient care. By integrating deeply with healthcare systems, elea autonomously manages tasks such as drafting diagnoses and generating reports, drastically reducing the time spent on administrative duties.
Since its launch in 2024, elea has already made a major impact in pathology labs across Germany, cutting the diagnostic process from weeks to hours and enabling life-saving treatments to be initiated without delay. The funding will support the scaling of this success across new departments and regions. Elea’s team, led by healthcare experts with over a decade of experience, is on a mission to use AI to ease the burdens on clinicians, improve patient outcomes, and help transform healthcare systems globally. With its unique approach, elea is set to become an indispensable ally in the fight against healthcare inefficiencies.
