Poplar has closed a $2.1million investment, led by Fuel Ventures, to push its ambition to become the world’s leading augmented reality (AR) creative platform. This seed round, which sees Haatch Ventures, Ascension Ventures and Super Ventures also invest, will help Poplar deliver on-demand creation of premium AR and 3D experiences to accommodate the growing demand for branded AR campaigns. Since the pandemic lockdown in March, AR engagement has spiked by 19% as consumers turn to social, web and mobile for alternative ways to engage with retailers and brands.

Caerphilly based X4 Software Limited has secured follow-on investment of £175,000 from the Development Bank of Wales and the backing of business angel investors.  X4 Software trades as SourceMogul. Introduced by Angels Invest Wales, David James is the latest investor to support the business. He previously led Hudman Solutions, an award winning software development business, through two funding rounds as an investor and Managing Director before successfully selling to Advanced in 2017.

Red Rock Power Limited, a renewable and sustainable energy company, has selected Greenbyte’s smart data platform to enhance its monitoring capabilities 

Jenson Funding Partners have completed an investment in eTEU Technologies Ltd, which is a technology platform that aims to improve efficiency of supply chain management for SMEs as well as to decrease administrative expenses in the maritime logistics industry.

Prism Corporate Broking has advised the shareholders of Orion Future Technology Ltd (Orion FT) on its sale to the Milbank Group Ltd.

Birmingham-based language technology firm, Learning Labs Limited, has secured a £500,000 investment to ramp up product development and establish itself in new markets. The investment round includes finance from some existing investors and £250,000 from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) Equity Finance Fund, managed by venture capital firm Midven. 

A Newcastle tech company whose software allows businesses to create their own mobile apps has raised £1.2m to further develop its product and expand its team.  Nutshell Software has secured investment from two funds managed by Mercia - the Northern Venture Capital Trust (VCT) Funds and the North East Venture Fund (NEVF), which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

Urgentem (formerly Engaged Tracking), one of the pioneering companies in climate risk management, data and analytics space, has raised £500k from existing investors and has appointed a new CEO and senior management team in place alongside a new name, corporate identity and website.

Beauhurst has spotlighted 8 seed-stage companies and explored how COVID-19 has impacted them. Who are the fledgling startups that we predict to beat the odds and come out on top post-pandemic?

Technology company Sennen, whose bespoke software enables safer and more efficient renewable energy operations, has won a major new client.

Brytlyt, provider of the world’s fastest data analytics and visualisation technology, has raised $4 million in Series A funding from global technology investor Amadeus Capital Partners and Finch Capital.  Until now, sectors with billion-record data sets such as telcos, retail and finance, have struggled to use their data to gain insights into company performance and improve customer experience and retention. This is because legacy systems were unable to handle ad-hoc analyses of such large data in real-time.

A company which has developed an eco-friendly water treatment system that can reduce pollution levels has raised £550,000 to help roll it out to the water industry.  Industrial Phycology (I-Phyc) has secured a second round of funding from the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, and private investors.