Xiatech, a UK Headquartered system integration and data analytics specialist, has agreed a growth capital investment with Rockpool Investments. The strategic partnership, advised by the BDO Growth Advisory (M&A) team, will see Rockpool invest in Xiatech’s Single Data View© platform, a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that provides companies with a real-time view of customer, inventory, product, orders and sales data, as well as an enterprise-scale integration hub, analytics and powerful machine learning capabilities, all hosted in the cloud.

The founders of London-based ecommerce startup aisle 3 have bounced back after being made redundant at the start of the pandemic to successfully raise £200,000 for their new ecommerce venture, supported by Angel Investment Network.

Solihull-based executive recruitment firm, Quantum Group Solutions Limited, has secured its first round of investment, totalling £730,000 from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) through venture capital firm, Midven.

Gusto, a drink company which funded successfully via Crowdcube, has launched two new functional drinks: Super DC Blood Orange and Super DC Blackcurrant & Elderberry.  

Orbex, the innovative European space launch company, has secured $24 million in a funding round led by BGF, the UK's most active investment company, and Octopus Ventures, one of the largest VCs in EuropeBGF and Octopus Ventures have joined existing investors High-Tech Gründerfonds, Heartcore Capital and Elecnor S.A. - parent company of the multi-national space firm Deimos Space - in a new funding round for the orbital launch services company. The new investments secure the roadmap to the first launch from the Space Hub Sutherland spaceport in Scotland.

BGF, has appointed Jim Strang, MD & EMEA Chairman of Hamilton Lane, and Kris Isherwood, CFO of Eight Roads, will be appointed as independent non-executive directors to its Board. The appointments bring a wealth of experience in the global investment management and alternatives industry at a time when there is increasing focus on the growing equity needs of the UK economy, in particular for high-growth private companies and emerging industries.

On the back of new quantum algorithm breakthroughs, quantum software company Phasecrafthas closed a record seed round for a quantum computing company in the UK. Its new £3.7m seed funding round is led by VC firm LocalGlobe with Episode1 along with previous investors. Phasecraft previously raised a £750,000 pre-seed round led by UCL Technology Fund with Parkwalk Advisors and London Co-investment Fund and has earned several grants facilitated by InnovateUK. Former Songkick founder and prominent angel investor Ian Hogarth has also joined as board chair for Phasecraft. 

Creator Fund, the university-focused venture capital fund making strides to unearth startup innovation within European universities, is now focussing on its next stage of support for student-led ventures as it announces the close of a new £1.5 million fund.

Wonder, the company revolutionising virtual space, has completed a $11 million seed round led by EQT Ventures, with participation from existing investor BlueYard Capital. Wonder is a video communication tool with over 200,000 monthly users, enabling larger online group gatherings that mirror in-person meetings, such as the ability to chat to people in different groups and chance encounters. The new funding will be used to refine Wonder’s product development, expand its team, and grow its customer base.

MEL Science, a London-based science educational platform, has secured $14 million in Series B funding to support demand for its subscription-based offering. International investors include Mubadala Investment Company, Channel 4 Ventures and other entities from Europe and China.  As a leading EdTech innovator, MEL Science aims to bring science to life through educational kits, combining hands-on experiments with interactive VR simulations and live lessons – created to help students learn in intuitive, engaging ways. Its award-winning products are designed for children aged 5 – 14 and are intended to be used either as an at-home teaching aid or by schools.

Summize, a Manchester-based developer and provider of software for the legal sector, has secured an additional £1m investment in a funding round led by NPIF – Maven Equity Finance.  NPIF - Maven Equity Finance, which is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and managed by Maven Capital Partners, originally invested £500,000 in Summize in March 2019.

Green Angel Syndicate, the UK’s angel syndicate specialising in the fight against climate change and global warming, has launched the GAS Climate Change Fund, for EIS and SEIS investors.