Led · Seed · Jul 2024

Spotlight Pathology is a Manchester-founded health-tech spin-out building artificial-intelligence software that examines digital pathology images to aid haematopathologists in identifying blood cancers. The platform plugs directly into current NHS workflows, triaging and prioritising cases so specialists can reach decisions faster and start patients on treatment sooner. Co-founded by Consultant Haematopathologist Dr Richard Byers and AI specialist Dr Martin Fergie, the company targets the growing diagnostic backlog caused by a shortage of trained pathologists. Seed funding will be used to secure additional regulatory approvals and to run the first clinical in-use trials. Management plans to scale operations from Daresbury while collaborating with partners across the North West and beyond. Although no revenue or user metrics were disclosed, the team emphasises its goal of transforming blood-cancer diagnostics and improving patient outcomes within the NHS.

Participated · Equity · Jun 2024

Founded in 2022 by Simon Roberts and Thomas Farquhar, Heatio builds the Heatio Flexx smart home energy platform and a virtual power plant that optimises solar panels, heat pumps, EV chargers, and batteries. The Flexx platform uses AI and machine learning to deliver tailored energy solutions based on property type and household energy use, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce bills. Heatio is developing an Energy as a Service (EaaS) subscription and has secured partnerships with E.ON and Energy Systems Catapult for a pilot covering 350 homes in the North West. The company is also working with Perenna Bank and Energy Systems Catapult to pilot a long-term fixed-rate green mortgage that rewards homeowners for retrofitting with low-carbon technologies. Financially, Heatio recently closed an oversubscribed £2 million investment round to support product and team growth. The funds will be used to expand the team, launch version 2 of the Heatio Flexx app, and scale customer onboarding.