The Venture Codex

Led · Equity · Jan 2026

Dragonfly AI has built a patented, neuroscience-led AI platform that predicts how audiences will notice, remember, and respond to advertising and other creative assets before they go live. Unlike data-trained generative AI systems, its biological algorithm does not rely on historical training data, helping brands avoid embedded model bias while receiving real-world attention and buyer-behavior predictions. The technology, originally developed in the neuroscience department at Queen Mary University of London, is now used by more than 70 global consumer brands, including Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever, Coca-Cola, and L’Oréal, and is integrated into enterprise workflows through partners such as CreativeX. Dragonfly AI is expanding its product suite with new Emotion & Memory metrics, broader video analysis, and deeper enterprise integrations via Dragonfly Connect. Proceeds from its latest financing will fund global expansion—particularly a larger U.S. commercial presence—along with growth of sales and customer-success teams. The company continues to invest in R&D under chief scientist and algorithm inventor Hamit Soyel while strengthening governance through the appointment of former Time Inc. executive Fiona Dent to its board.

Participated · Equity · Sep 2024

Optalitix provides software pricing products to UK insurers (including the London Market) and to banking and healthcare industries. Its product suite includes Optalitix Models, which converts Excel models into a cloud-hosted system; Optalitix Quote, a digital pricing and underwriting workbench; and Optalitix Originate, a cloud-lending platform to streamline lending and improve profitability. The company has customers in the UK and internationally, including S&P Global, GoCompare, Lloyd’s, Pool Re, YuLife and Hampden Risk Partners. Optalitix is led by co-founder and director Jonathan Shapiro. The company said it will use the new funding to accelerate product innovation and support the execution of its expansion plans. Optalitix is based in London, UK. Optalitix offers low-code SaaS products—notably Optalitix Models, which converts spreadsheets into systems, and Optalitix Quote, a digital underwriting platform—targeted at insurers and banks. It serves customers in the UK and internationally, including Vitality Health, GoCompare, Lloyd’s of London and United Trust Bank. Founded in 2013 by Jonathan Shapiro and Dani Katz, the company helps move Excel-based business processes to cloud systems to improve underwriting efficiency, pricing, sales and regulatory compliance. Optalitix provides data analysis and AI models to enable intelligence-led business decisions. In September 2022 the company completed a £4.0M equity raise to fund growth. Proceeds will be used to increase sales capacity, invest in marketing and expand the engineering team to accelerate product development.

Led · Equity · Oct 2023

Previsico delivers a live flood-alert platform that combines real-time weather feeds, on-the-ground IoT devices, and proprietary flood-modelling algorithms to warn insurers, businesses, and public agencies of imminent flooding. By giving actionable, street-level forecasts, the company helps customers mitigate damage and reduce loss ratios, a growing need as pluvial flood losses are projected to reach $850 billion annually by 2050. The platform is already gaining traction with clients in the insurance, construction, and utility sectors. With fresh Series A capital, Previsico plans to accelerate product innovation, deepen its footprint in the UK and US, and expand into emerging markets where protection gaps are greatest. Investors are positioning the company as a critical enabler of climate-risk adaptation, particularly in regions lacking local flood-forecasting infrastructure. Although financial details such as revenue or user numbers were not disclosed, the new funding underscores market confidence in Previsico’s technology and scalability.

Participated · Equity · Sep 2023

Kelda Showers develops patented Air-Powered and BubbleSpa shower technologies designed to minimise water and energy use while preserving the user experience. Its Air-Powered technology is verified by the Energy Saving Trust and can reduce water and energy consumption by up to 55%, with household utility savings cited at up to £465 per annum. The company targets sectors including housebuilding, leisure, hospitality, armed forces accommodation and retail, where its products are beginning to gain early adoption. Kelda positions its offering as IP-protected and differentiated from legacy approaches to water efficiency. Management says the business is preparing for an ambitious expansion to accelerate growth and scale adoption of its technologies. The company frames its mission as redefining efficiency in water usage and reducing environmental impact.

Led · Equity · Aug 2023

myGwork operates a global LGBTQ+ talent platform and delivers e-learning via its myGwork Academy. The company plans to use recent funding to enhance user experience and expand its international reach. Product plans include improved user analytics to enable personalized experiences, the addition of a Spanish language course, and a new course on Intersectionality. The funding package combines investment and grant support to accelerate platform improvements and network growth. Founders Adrien and Pierre Gaubert emphasized user experience and workplace inclusion as central to the product roadmap. The company also strengthened its governance with the appointment of Lori L. Harmon as Chair to drive the next phase of growth. myGwork operates a business community and recruitment/networking platform for LGBTQ+ professionals, graduates, inclusive employers and allies, offering job listings, mentoring, professional events and news. The platform positions itself as a safe space where members can connect with inclusive employers and find career opportunities. Since 2014 it has enabled over 300 clients to attract and retain LGBTQ+ talent, with FTSE 100 companies and household names such as Pearson, Colgate, GSK, the United Nations, EY and BlackRock using the service. Led by founders Pierre Gaubert and Adrien Gaubert, the company is focused on growing its user base and pursuing international expansion. Financially, myGwork recently secured incremental funding to support those growth plans. myGwork operates a business community that connects LGBT+ professionals and graduates with inclusive employers, job opportunities, mentors, events and news. The company raised £0.75m in funding to support growth and product development. It plans to use the capital to grow the team, further develop its existing service offering, and expand the business in the UK while signing up new clients overseas. In the near term the funds will be used to design and deliver a new app, develop myGwork’s mentoring offer, and bring on new team members focused on growth over the next two years. myGwork was co-founded by Adrien and Pierre Gaubert and is based in London.