Led · Series A · Jul 2024

Aveni builds AI products for financial services, including Aveni Assist, an AI productivity solution for advisers and operations teams, and Aveni Detect, an AI compliance monitoring tool. Both products are underpinned by FinLLM, Aveni’s proprietary suite of specialist small language models trained on UK financial services data, and are deployed across some of the UK’s leading banks, wealth managers and financial advisers. The company was founded in 2018 as a University of Edinburgh startup and has attracted strategic investors from the banking sector. Aveni is developing Agent Assure to enable firms to monitor and manage conduct risk from AI agents alongside human interactions in a unified view. It participates in the FCA’s Supercharged Sandbox programme and has established an Agent Assurance Expert Council to support responsible AI governance frameworks. The recent £12 million raise led by PXN Ventures is intended to accelerate delivery of its platform and the new Agent Assure product.

Led · Equity · Jan 2024

Transreport builds a Passenger Assistance technology and app used to arrange travel assistance for disabled and older people. The company says the app launched in May 2021, has over 100,000 downloads and has facilitated millions of passenger journeys to date; it was nominated for an Apple Design Award in the Inclusivity Category. Transreport is working with public-transport organisations, supports the whole UK rail network, and has a partnership with Japanese rail operator Hankyu Corporation. The newly secured £10 million funding package, led by Puma Private Equity with participation from Pembroke VCT, will be used to expand reach to more users, broader transport modes and industries, and accelerate expansion into aviation. The company plans entry into the Japanese market alongside Hankyu and is pursuing new territories and verticals to reach a wider global audience and create operational efficiencies for transport operators. Management, led by founder and CEO Jay Shen, has raised the company’s profile with policymakers, including a G7 summit appearance in Japan where the CEO met global leaders. Transreport offers an app designed to help rail passengers with disabilities and mobility restrictions alert station and rail staff to booked assistance requests as part of their everyday journey. The service is intended to make travel for people with limited mobility simpler and more routine, handling disruptions like cancellations, delays, and platform changes. Transreport is already in trial with major UK rail operators including West Midlands Railway, Northwestern Railway and Govia Thameslink Railway. The company recently closed a £2.3 million funding round that it says will accelerate expansion and marketing efforts. Management also plans to make new headways into the multi-modal vertical using the fresh capital. Founder Jay Shen commented that investors recognized the goal of making transport more accessible.

Led · Series A · Oct 2023

Bikmo provides comprehensive insurance cover for bikes, gear and cyclists across the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria. The company operates a remote team of 55 people spanning 10 countries. Its core product is consumer and commercial insurance for cyclists and bike businesses, and it is expanding its commercial insurance offerings. Bikmo announced several new partnerships with Cycling UK, the ACT and Trek. The company has also set up a Manchester office to expand its presence in the North. Recent leadership additions include Ben Thompson as Chief Growth Officer and Gemma Germains as Chief Experience Officer, and Steven Mendel was appointed Chair subject to FCA approval. The business says it will use new funding to accelerate growth across Europe and secure further partnerships. Bikmo is a UK specialist bike insurer that protects over 75,000 riders across the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria. The company offers individual and commercial insurance, including cover for partners such as Deliveroo, and provides add-ons like legal protection and breakdown assistance. Bikmo's newly developed API technology enables embedded insurance solutions through retail, manufacturing and other partners to integrate insurance into customer journeys. This API is designed to maximise conversions by allowing insurance to be purchased as part of another product or service transaction. The company plans to use the funding to accelerate growth in the UK and Europe, investing in people and technology to support its rider base and partners. Bikmo is positioning for expansion across European markets while continuing to support its existing customers and commercial clients. Bikmo is an award-winning adventure sports and cycle insurance provider founded in 2014. It uses innovative technology to offer comprehensive cover for riders, bikes and equipment on road and trail. The company supports over 15,000 active policy holders and employs a team of around 30 staff. Bikmo has offices in Innsbruck, Austria, and plans to relocate its UK head office to Flintshire when COVID-19 restrictions allow. The £1.8m Series A will be used to support global growth, including increased investment in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria. Part of the Development Bank of Wales support includes a £1m equity and loan package enabling Bikmo to move into new premises in Flintshire.

Led · Series B · Sep 2023

TravelLocal is a holidays brand and managed marketplace that connects customers directly with local travel experts in their destination. The platform enables bookings with over 500 individual local travel experts who work across 271 curated partner companies to create personalised itineraries for clients. TravelLocal combines online booking convenience with human advice and offers full consumer financial protection through ABTA and ATOL in the UK. Since its 2016 founding the company has helped more than 70,000 customers create trips and receives bookings from clients worldwide. Led by CEO Tom Stapleton and Executive Chairman Mark Hudson, TravelLocal plans to use new funding to accelerate international growth, invest in its managed marketplace platform and expand brand marketing. It recently completed a £8.3m Series B funding round. TravelLocal is a Bristol-based B2C online marketplace founded in 2016 that connects clients directly with hand-picked travel experts in almost 50 destinations worldwide. The platform focuses on mid- to long-haul private itineraries for mid- to high-end clients, with particular appeal to the over-45 demographic seeking experiential travel. By bypassing traditional UK-based intermediaries, TravelLocal aims to deliver deeper expertise, fairer value, and greater contribution to local economies. Channel 4 has invested via its Commercial Growth Fund, which provides commercial airtime across its TV network in return for an equity share. That investment joins existing backers Active Partners and Gresham House Ventures and is intended to drive TV advertising–driven awareness at scale. TravelLocal cites a potential UK market of £3.9 billion this year and a US market of over £6 billion.

Led · Equity · Aug 2023

Pockit targets customers with limited credit histories who are often underserved by traditional financial institutions. The company operates alongside its subsidiary Monese. Pockit has secured non-dilutive venture debt to support its growth plans, reflecting an approach that leverages non-bank lenders. The recently arranged facility was provided by Anchorgate Management and carries a reported three-year term with market-aligned interest rates. Public reporting did not disclose revenue, user metrics, founding year, or prior funding round details.