Added Value Solutions (AVS) Ltd, a world-leading designer and developer of bespoke equipment for large science and research infrastructure, has signed up to the national SPRINT business support programme to develop new valve technology for water-based satellite propulsion systems. AVS will work collaboratively with SPRINT partner, The Open University, on a project that will focus on delivering cleaner and greener alternatives to chemical propulsion systems for satellites, through the use of water.

Marion Surgical, which works with surgeons from around the globe to build a next generation suite of surgical simulators through virtual reality, has received a £280,000 investment from GC Angels, part of the Growth Company and an angel investor, alongside grant funding from Innovate UK, following an introduction from MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency.

The Canadian company enables surgeons to learn, collaborate, practice and share procedures in a realistic, safe, cloud-hosted environment through virtual reality. The company has recently set up a UK entity based at The Landing in MediaCityUK, Salford and has plans to relocate some of the Canadian team to the region as well as hiring locally.

The Link App - software designed to facilitate communication between law firms and their clients - has received significant investment from GC Angels as part of a larger funding round to accelerate growth and expand globally.  The Manchester-based business was set up by qualified solicitor Lauren Riley, who noticed that clients were looking for faster responses from lawyers, more clarity on case progress and an overall better customer service experience.

Foresight Group LLP and Belltown Power Limited have formed a joint venture to develop Belltown’s pipeline of greenfield onshore wind energy projects across the UK under the existing Belltown brand. 

The JV aims to deliver more than 300MW of incremental clean electricity capacity to support the UK’s move to a net-zero power system. The pipeline is focused on sites with excellent potential for wind development, predominantly in Scotland and Wales, and will be developed on a merchant-only, PPA or CfD supported basis.

Jenson Funding Partners has completed an investment in ZEUS a property valuation app which allows property owners to obtain fast & accurate valuations and also provides estate agents with quality leads.  It works for both sales and rentals and is a truly unique platform.

Funding London – the Mayor of London's investment vehicle – is being supported by several iconic mentors.  Entrepreneurs and investors such as  Sukhendu Pal and Steve Garnett will offer support and guidance to investments in the two funds, the London Co-Investment Fund (LCIF) and the Greater London Investment Fund (GLIF).

Notify Technology – the Newcastle-based health and safety software business – has completed a £370,000 investment round to drive product development and expand its team. The company has secured further funding from the North East Venture Fund (NEVF), which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Mercia, alongside investment from its Chair, Jayne Archbold, and existing management.

RLC Ventures has made an investment has led a £500k seed round in Labworks.

Labworks are Europe's leading voice games studio for Amazon's Alexa; with over 6 million people collectively spending over 100 years playing their 8 games. Their impressive traction has also been met with disciplined capital efficiency.

Crowdcube, the leading equity crowdfunding platform, is partnering with Episode 1, backers of Zoopla, Shazam, carwow, to invest in the next generation of infrastructure and deep tech startups in the software sector. This partnership will see the £100m fund, which has invested in the likes of Ori, Webiny and CloudNC, back businesses from this space alongside retail investors on Crowdcube. Selected businesses will receive investment from Episode 1 to lead a funding round on Crowdcube. To qualify for initial consideration, the businesses will need to be registered in the UK and raising between £250k-£3m.

The national SPRINT business support programme has formed a strategic partnership with Knowledge Transfer Network's Geospatial Special Interest Group (SIG) to promote funding and developmental opportunities for UK space and non-space businesses.

KTN helps businesses to get the best out of creativity, ideas and the latest discoveries, to strengthen the UK economy and improve people's lives. The partnership with SPRINT (SPace Research and Innovation Network for Technology) will enable a shared engagement between the two programmes to highlight opportunities for UK businesses to develop and grow.

A Manchester-based technology business that has created a platform for people to confidentially and safely report workplace harassment has secured a £1.35 million investment in a funding round led by Praetura Ventures, a VC firm which targets early stage businesses in high value sectors. GC Angels joined the round and invested £100,000. 

Skyports, the urban air mobility infrastructure provider and drone delivery operator, has extended its Series A funding to now total £6 million ($8 million) with investment from Irelandia Aviation.