Participated · Seed · Mar 2026

Entourage AI has built a proprietary platform and reference model of a healthy proteome from mass spectrometry analyses of thousands of individuals aged 16 to 85, including measurements of human proteins and millions of peptides. Using that dataset, the company provides organ-specific health insights and an estimate of biological age relative to chronological age. Entourage has developed an ageing clock and organ health products and has opened preorders for these commercial offerings to consumers and research institutions in the UK and US. The firm established a new research and operations centre in Glasgow equipped with Thermo Fisher Scientific mass spectrometry assets to support ongoing product development. Entourage previously received R&D grants from the University of Glasgow and Scottish Enterprise, and is now pursuing commercial expansion under executive chair Gerard Cunningham and founder/CEO Professor Patrick T. Gunning.

Participated · Seed · Apr 2025

Neuranics develops ultra-sensitive, low-power, and scalable Tunnelling Magnetoresistance (TMR) magnetic sensors and associated custom circuitry and software to detect tiny magnetic signals from the human body without skin contact. Its sensors enable precise tracking of muscle activity for gesture recognition and detection of heart signals, targeting XR, wearables, and digital health applications. The company claims improved accuracy, reduced power consumption, and potential for continuous monitoring versus traditional methods. Neuranics is collaborating with Tier‑1 semiconductor and XR manufacturers to validate performance and production readiness for high-volume applications across consumer, industrial, and healthcare markets. Founded in 2021 as the first joint spinout from the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh, the company has received recognition including a CES Innovation Award. With new funding, Neuranics plans to expand its team, accelerate core technology innovation, and drive integration of its TMR technology into emerging and high-tech markets. Neuranics is a Glasgow-based deep-tech spin-out from the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh that develops compact patented magnetic sensors and magnetomyography (MMG) technology for wearable wristbands. The company combines MMG with machine learning to detect muscle activity and interpret precise gestures. Initially it is targeting extended reality (XR) applications, with potential future use in healthcare, sports, gaming, and assistive technologies. Neuranics said an 18-month £2.4 million project, supported by an £800,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise, will fund R&D and create ten high-tech jobs at its Glasgow headquarters. The funding will support development of a compact wristband aimed at improving accuracy and comfort over existing gesture-recognition solutions. The company recently won a £125,000 fellowship grant from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 and was awarded Deep Tech Investment of the Year at the UK Angel Investment Awards. Neuranics is a Glasgow-based sensor specialist founded in 2021 as a joint spinout from the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh. The company develops magnetic sensors integrated with semiconductor technology using scalable spintronics sensors to detect tiny magnetic signals from organs such as the heart and muscles. Its patented technology is intended to address shortcomings in current health monitoring devices and human-machine interfaces. Neuranics’ magnetocardiography (MCG) sensors are described as easier to use than traditional electrocardiography (ECG) sensors, and its magnetomyography (MMG) system can estimate single finger movements by detecting magnetic activity in the forearm muscles. The sensors are said to improve latency when controlling robotic hands or interacting with virtual objects in the metaverse. The company raised £1.9M and intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach. The founders are Kia Nazarpour (CSO), Hadi Heidari (CTO), and Noel McKenna (CEO).

Participated · Series A · Sep 2024

Solasta Bio develops peptide-based, nature-inspired bioinsecticides designed to selectively target insect pests while protecting beneficial pollinators such as bees. Its technology platform can be mobilized for any pest across crop and non-crop applications, including stored grain. The company’s agents demonstrated efficacy on par with or better than commercial standards across more than 20 field trials in Europe, the UK and the US during the 2023 trials season. Co-founded by CEO Shireen Davies and CSO Prof. Julian Dow, Solasta is based in Glasgow, Scotland. The company recently closed a $14M Series A, bringing total capital raised to $19M, and intends to use the funds to accelerate development of its peptide-based bioinsecticides. Forbion’s involvement will also add a board seat as part of the round. SOLASTA Bio develops next‑generation green insecticides based on nature‑inspired peptides that target pests selectively. The company's core products are sustainable peptide insect control solutions intended to replace or augment conventional chemical insecticides. SOLASTA was announced as the winner of the Radicle Natural Plant Protection (NPP) Challenge by UPL, which the company says will help accelerate its solutions toward the global market. As part of the prize, SOLASTA will gain industry support and access to UPL Corp and Radicle Growth's networks and expertise to help commercial development. The company was selected from a pool of 237 start‑up applicants, highlighting external validation of its technology. No revenue, user, or founding‑year metrics were disclosed in the announcement. Solasta Bio has developed a technology platform for creating neuropeptide-based insect control products that are nature-inspired rather than selected from a synthetic chemistry library. Its products target insect pests while preserving beneficial pollinators such as bees, and the platform can be mobilised for any pest of interest. The company plans to use the funds to scale up UK and US operations, expand its technical and commercial teams (creating 25 jobs), accelerate development of its technology platform and target new markets. Solasta is led by CEO Shireen Davies, PhD, with CSO Professor Julian Dow and former BASF executive Dr Paul Bernasconi among the team; other executives include Chair Dr Rob Wylie, CFO David Armour and CCO Dr Daphne Preuss. The company currently employs a team of 25 R&D, commercial staff and consultants. The fundraising round brings the company's total funding to £5.5M. Solasta Bio develops biopesticides using a technology platform that creates neuropeptide-based insect control products inspired by nature rather than synthetic-chemistry libraries. Its products are designed to target insect pests while preserving beneficial pollinators such as bees. The company was established in May 2020 following four years of research funded by UKRI BBSRC and the EC, with commercialisation support from Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Programme. Management includes co-founders Professor Shireen Davies (CEO), Professor Julian Dow (CSO), Paul Bernasconi (CTO) and Professor Robert Liskamp, supported by a Glasgow-based R&D team. Financially, Solasta secured £1.3m in seed funding and had earlier pre-seed backing from UKI2S and Scottish Enterprise. The company plans to move trials out of the laboratory into real-world settings and aims to bring its first biopesticides to market in 2027, roughly half the development time of traditional synthetic products.

Participated · Seed · Apr 2024

Clyde Hydrogen develops Decoupled Electrolysis, a redox-mediator-based approach that separates water oxidation and hydrogen evolution into different reactors to enable safer, scalable hydrogen production. The technology uses a reversible redox mediator solution to store protons and electrons from water oxidation, which is then transferred to a separate chamber where hydrogen is produced with a suitable catalyst. Results have been proven at lab scale and the company is progressing a demonstrator, with further development taking place at the University of Glasgow's research labs. The company raised over £1M in pre-seed funding provided by Zinc, the University of Glasgow and angel investors. Proceeds will be used to expand the R&D team, accelerate technology development and forge strategic partnerships within the energy sector. Clyde Hydrogen aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to Scotland's carbon neutrality and green hydrogen goals.