Mercia Ventures

Grid Edge Limited is a Birmingham-based company that specializes in developing artificial intelligence and machine-learning software tailored for commercial and public building owners. Founded in 2016, Grid Edge's technology enables users to control and optimize their building's energy loads, effectively reducing energy costs and carbon emissions. The company's platform employs predictive machine learning and data science analytics to anticipate energy demand, allowing building managers to efficiently manage energy distribution. By integrating cloud-based software services with existing building energy management systems, Grid Edge transforms on-site energy technologies into revenue-generating assets, positioning its clients as proactive participants in the energy system.

ImmuONE is a biotech company specializing in providing in vitro cell culture services for safety assessment, with a focus on respiratory health. The company offers solutions for inhalation toxicology, irritation sensitization, alveolar clearance, and inflammation. ImmuONE's expertise includes human alveolar macrophage responses and epithelial cell culture platforms, as well as testing services that utilize respiratory tissue models closely resembling lung physiology. These models enable healthcare providers to develop innovative in vitro products and testing services for inhalation safety assessment using advanced techniques.

Notify Technology Ltd. is a company that operates an online platform focused on employee risk reporting and incident management. Founded in 2017 and based in Wallsend, United Kingdom, the company provides services that enable users to record incidents, accidents, and near misses quickly through a mobile app and web portal. Its customizable interface allows organizations to manage both recurring and one-off events efficiently. The software is designed to enhance workplace safety by allowing individuals to document incidents on mobile devices, while managers can track outcomes, actions, and trends through real-time dashboard reporting. This innovative approach aims to improve health and safety standards across various industries.

75Media is an outdoor advertising company that operates a growing network of big format, D48, and traditional billboards in UK towns and cities.

Crown Plus is a national company specializing in highway drainage management. It offers a comprehensive suite of services, from initial drainage surveys to recycling and maintenance work. The company's expertise lies in data processing, civil engineering projects, and filter drain recycling, all tailored to the highway industry. Crown Plus aims to extend asset lifespan, minimize environmental impact, and optimize resource management through its innovative and cost-effective solutions.

Napo Pet Insurance is a digital-first insurtech company established in December 2021, dedicated to transforming the pet insurance landscape with a comprehensive approach that exceeds standard offerings. The company provides coverage that includes essential services such as dental care, behavioral support, and preventative care resources, aimed at delivering peace of mind to pet owners. Napo prioritizes customer experience through the integration of advanced AI-driven technology and personalized human support, facilitating efficient claims processing and assistance throughout the pet ownership journey. Recognized as one of the UK’s fastest-growing pet insurers, Napo has received accolades such as Insurer of the Year at the Modern Claims Awards and Innovation and Rising Star honors at the UK FinTech Awards. The company aims to create a holistic pet care ecosystem that not only encompasses insurance but also offers tools, education, and services to promote the health and happiness of pets at every stage of their lives.

OneUp Sales is a sales management and motivation platform specifically designed for inside sales teams. The platform harnesses sales activity data to create gamified competitions, real-time leaderboards, and efficient reporting tools for managers. By identifying opportunities to enhance key behaviors and fostering engagement among sales professionals, OneUp Sales aims to improve productivity and support the development of high-performing sales teams. The company focuses on transforming the sales environment through innovative software that publicizes important information and facilitates competitive dynamics.

HowNow Ltd is an EdTech company based in Barking, United Kingdom, founded in 2016. It operates an e-learning platform that connects experts and learners through interactive live video lessons. The platform facilitates real-time communication between teachers and students, allowing for face-to-face instruction across various subjects, including arts, business, music, health, languages, and culinary arts. With a network of over 400 experts teaching in 33 countries, HowNow aims to create immersive learning experiences that replicate in-person interactions. Additionally, the platform employs artificial intelligence to tailor learning recommendations to the needs of companies and their employees, enhancing productivity and skill development.

Applied Monitoring is a company focused on creating innovative healthcare and fitness monitoring solutions. It specializes in developing dermal sensors that facilitate monitoring and transformation in blood testing. The company's range of sensors is designed to address various needs within blood science, including applications in alcohol and drug misuse, healthcare, sports, and the pharmaceutical industry. By providing healthcare professionals with effective tools for alcohol and drug detection, Applied Monitoring aims to enhance monitoring capabilities and improve health outcomes across multiple sectors.

Shopblocks is a hosted ecommerce platform based in Manchester, UK, that provides businesses with the tools necessary to design, build, and launch their online shops. Established in 2011, the company emerged from a team of digital marketing professionals who sought to improve the online retail experience. Shopblocks addresses common challenges faced by online businesses, particularly the difficulties of maintaining and updating websites. Its platform enables users to manage products, customers, orders, and shop designs from a single interface, offering features such as product data management, real-time supplier feeds, and integrated storefronts. This approach allows businesses to create professional online shops tailored to their needs without being constrained by generic templates, facilitating adaptability in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

TalentMapper is a technology company specializing in talent management solutions. It operates an AI-driven platform designed to identify and develop talent within organizations, aligning with business objectives and strategies. The platform's key features include skill recognition, internal talent mapping, and career mentoring, enabling businesses to enhance internal mobility, retention, and inclusivity, while also preparing for future operational challenges and opportunities.

TRIBE is a prominent running community in the UK that specializes in sports nutrition products designed to support individuals in their training endeavors. The company offers tailored nutrition plans that align with specific race training goals, allowing customers to train more effectively. TRIBE's products are fully natural and gluten-free, focusing on providing energy and enhancing recovery and performance during training sessions. By curating these resources, TRIBE aims to empower athletes and fitness enthusiasts to achieve their personal training objectives.

Newcells Biotech Limited is a biotechnology company specializing in the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their differentiation into various cell and tissue types for research and development purposes. Founded in 2014 and based in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, the company offers a diverse portfolio of off-the-shelf iPSC-derived cell lines, including custom iPSCs generated from patient tissues, neural progenitor cells, cardiomyocytes, and various somatic cell types. Newcells Biotech focuses on providing high-quality cells and development services, including tissue sourcing and bespoke differentiation, to support customers engaged in drug discovery, pre-clinical development, and disease mechanism investigation. The company's platform also aims to create in vitro cell-based assays that closely replicate human physiology, enhancing the prediction of safety, pharmacology, and efficacy in drug testing.

Little Journey is a company founded in 2018 that focuses on providing support to children and their families undergoing medical treatments or participating in scientific trials. It has developed a virtual reality smartphone application aimed at enhancing healthcare outcomes through improved patient engagement and experience. The application offers families up-to-date information about hospital visits, including virtual reality images, fasting guidelines, contact information, and articles specific to various procedures. By delivering this information in a convenient and accessible format, Little Journey helps healthcare organizations facilitate the development of individual coping strategies, reduce anxiety related to medical procedures, and ultimately improve the overall healthcare experience for patients and their families.

Radical Forge is a video game development company that specializes in creating innovative and engaging gaming experiences. The studio focuses on the development of full-length, two-dimensional survival-themed games, aimed at providing gaming enthusiasts with immersive and entertaining content. In addition to game development, Radical Forge also works on industry tools designed to enhance the gaming landscape. The company's commitment to sharp, adaptive, and daring game design positions it as a notable player in the gaming industry.

Pure Pet Food is a producer of healthy, human-grade pet meals, specializing in dehydrated and freeze-dried pet food. The company focuses on creating low-processed, natural recipes designed for pets with sensitivities and ailments. By gently dehydrating ingredients using warm air to remove moisture, Pure Pet Food preserves the nutritional integrity of its products. This approach allows pet owners to access a variety of fresh and unprocessed meal options for their pets at affordable prices, promoting better health and well-being for animals.

Mindtech Global is a developer of an advanced Data Ops Platform that streamlines the process of collecting and curating training data for artificial intelligence computer vision applications. The platform employs automation and unique Configurable DNA technology to facilitate the creation of synthetic training data, complete with pixel-accurate annotations tailored to represent the customer's deployment environment. By serving a variety of industries, including smart city initiatives, retail, healthcare, and robotics, Mindtech's platform enables clients to rapidly develop high-performance, production-ready AI models. The solution is designed to be fast, flexible, and repeatable, allowing organizations to efficiently manage their training data and enhance the effectiveness of their AI systems.

Leap Automation provides food producers with end-of-line automation and machine vision systems. It reduces the dependency on manual labour for repetitive tasks.

Invizius Ltd., established in 2018 and headquartered in Edinburgh, UK, is a medical technology company specializing in innovative solutions for extracorporeal treatments. The company's flagship product, H-Guard, is an advanced hemocompatible coating designed to prevent foreign body reactions in the blood during procedures such as dialysis, cardiopulmonary bypass, and ECMO. By reducing immune system activation, H-Guard aims to minimize cardiovascular complications and improve patient outcomes in long-term dialysis treatments.

Alesi Surgical Ltd. is a company based in Cardiff, United Kingdom, specializing in the development and commercialization of laparoscopic surgical smoke handling systems. Founded in 2009 as a spin-out from the Welsh Institute for Minimal Access Therapy, Alesi Surgical focuses on creating products that enhance the safety, efficiency, and outcomes of surgical procedures. Its innovative tools are portable and suitable for both laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgeries, utilizing electrostatic precipitation technology to eliminate surgical smoke and maintain a clear visual field during operations. The company distributes its products to hospitals across Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Australia, leveraging its access to experienced surgeons and surgical trainers to identify challenges in surgical procedures and design effective solutions.

Warehow is a comprehensive solution provider for fashion e-commerce fulfillment. The company has developed a multichannel logistics platform that simplifies the fulfillment process for fashion brands and small home businesses. By integrating directly with various marketplace channels and retailers, Warehow streamlines stock management and order processing, allowing clients to concentrate on business growth without the burden of complex IT development or operational changes. The platform offers competitive and transparent pricing, making it accessible for businesses aiming to scale efficiently in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

Promethean Particles Ltd. is a company based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, specializing in the design, development, and manufacture of inorganic nanoparticle dispersions. Incorporated in 2007, it utilizes continuous hydrothermal synthesis to produce bespoke products tailored to specific customer applications across various industries, including electronics, healthcare, green energy, and nanocomposites. The company operates a state-of-the-art multi-ton scale manufacturing facility capable of producing over 1,000 tons per year, which supports its ability to deliver customized solutions. Promethean Particles also offers feasibility studies and reactor designs, showcasing its significant expertise and patented technology in nanoparticle production. This unique combination of capabilities allows the company to meet diverse industrial needs, enhancing flexibility and innovation in the development of nanotechnology solutions.

CorrosionRADAR Ltd is a company specializing in corrosion monitoring systems through innovative sensor technology aimed at detecting and predicting hidden corrosion. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, with a research facility in Bedfordshire, the company serves a diverse range of industries, including oil and gas, power and utilities, industrial manufacturing, and civil infrastructure. Its advanced technologies utilize distributed sensing and analytics to offer predictive corrosion management, enabling clients to effectively monitor corrosion and moisture levels, particularly in challenging environments. By providing insights into corrosion severity and location, CorrosionRADAR supports safe, reliable, and cost-effective maintenance and inspection practices across various sectors, including offshore and onshore energy operations, chemical plants, and infrastructure projects.

ULEMCo Limited is a company based in Liverpool, United Kingdom, that specializes in developing hydrogen hybrid combustion technology for commercial vehicles. Founded in 2014, ULEMCo focuses on retrofitting diesel transit vans to operate on hydrogen, effectively converting them to hydrogen dual-fuel systems. The company's innovations extend beyond standard vehicles, as it is also engaged in late-stage research and development of zero-emission hydrogen engines and fuel cell vehicles. This includes specialized applications for heavy-duty vehicles such as ambulances, fire engines, refuse trucks, tow-tugs, and road sweepers. ULEMCo's technology aims to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner transportation in the automobile industry.

Log my Care is a provider of electronic care planning and management software aimed at enhancing coordination and communication within care environments. The platform allows care providers to transition from traditional paper-based recording to a streamlined electronic system. It features a shared to-do log that informs care employees of their tasks, while also generating printable reports on activity performance. This functionality enables care managers to maintain oversight of their services efficiently, ultimately facilitating better operational management and improved care delivery.

Wobble Genomics is a biotechnology firm focused on the discovery and detection of nucleic acid biomarkers, utilizing advanced RNA and DNA sequencing techniques. The company aims to achieve unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy in biomarker identification by integrating biochemistry with bioinformatics. This innovative approach enhances sequencing efficiency, allowing medical researchers to optimize sampling processes while reducing costs. By streamlining the discovery of nucleic acid biomarkers, Wobble Genomics contributes to advancements in medical research and diagnostics.

Sitehop is a technology company specializing in advanced cybersecurity and networking solutions. It develops an enterprise network management platform that focuses on providing encryption for telecommunications and data networks. Sitehop's innovative custom FPGA solutions are designed to optimize and accelerate cloud and telecommunications networks. The platform delivers ultra-low latency and low-power encryption, facilitating the creation of secure private networks without the need for physical interconnections. Additionally, it enhances the security of Internet of Things systems, enabling telecommunications service providers to safeguard their networks while maintaining high-quality service.

Graide is an educational technology company that operates a feedback platform designed to enhance teaching efficiency and accessibility. Utilizing artificial intelligence, Graide analyzes students' responses, reducing educators' workload, increasing the frequency of feedback for students, and ensuring accurate grading. This enables teachers to grade multiple responses simultaneously while gaining valuable insights to improve student learning outcomes.

Tagomics is a company focused on enhancing disease diagnosis through advanced multitopic profiling and epigenetic-based chemical modifications. By leveraging epigenetics, Tagomics aims to provide a deeper understanding of biological processes by adding an additional layer of information to the genetic code. This approach allows for the discovery of dynamic and sensitive biomarkers that can reflect the influence of lifestyle, environmental factors, and disease progression. The company's innovations are particularly aimed at early detection of colorectal and other common cancers, promoting cost-effective and efficient epigenetic biomarker discovery. Through its work, Tagomics is transforming the landscape of disease diagnosis and patient care.

MIP Discovery is a technology leader specializing in the development of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) and nanoMIPs, which are plastic antibodies designed to overcome the limitations of conventional MIP manufacturing. The company focuses on creating polymers and antibodies that feature a single binding site for specific targets, allowing them to be integrated with solid substrates, such as sensor surfaces. This innovation enables MIP Discovery to provide ideal reagents for various applications, including point-of-care diagnostics and field-based testing, making significant contributions to the healthcare and diagnostics sectors.

Newcells Biotech Limited is a biotechnology company specializing in the production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their differentiation into various cell and tissue types for research and development purposes. Founded in 2014 and based in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, the company offers a diverse portfolio of off-the-shelf iPSC-derived cell lines, including custom iPSCs generated from patient tissues, neural progenitor cells, cardiomyocytes, and various somatic cell types. Newcells Biotech focuses on providing high-quality cells and development services, including tissue sourcing and bespoke differentiation, to support customers engaged in drug discovery, pre-clinical development, and disease mechanism investigation. The company's platform also aims to create in vitro cell-based assays that closely replicate human physiology, enhancing the prediction of safety, pharmacology, and efficacy in drug testing.

MGISS is a provider of mobile geospatial services, specializing in the measurement and analysis of spatial data in field environments. The company offers a comprehensive range of geospatial services designed to assist businesses, particularly in the utilities and infrastructure sectors, in capturing, creating, analyzing, and visualizing spatial information. By delivering tailored software development and consulting services, MGISS enables its clients to operate more efficiently and effectively in their respective industries.

Risk Ledger Ltd. is a cybersecurity company that provides a scalable security assurance platform aimed at enhancing the security of the global supply chain ecosystem. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Harrow, United Kingdom, the company enables clients to input their supplier security policies and assess these against the security maturity of their suppliers. By employing a dynamic controls framework and live assessment data within supplier-owned profiles, Risk Ledger helps organizations identify security requirements and remediate vulnerabilities across their supply chains. The platform combines elements of a secure social network with a risk management system, facilitating an efficient risk assurance program that simplifies the assessment process for vendors of all sizes.

Cyacomb is a software company specializing in forensic analysis tools aimed at assisting law enforcement in the identification and prevention of harmful digital content. Its innovative software leverages contraband filter technology to enhance the detection of illegal material, providing an effective means for police forces to recover critical digital evidence efficiently. This technology enables law enforcement agencies, as well as social media and cloud service providers, to quickly identify and block content related to criminal activities, such as those connected to pedophilia and terrorism. By significantly reducing the time required to analyze digital evidence, Cyacomb enhances the capabilities of police forces, allowing them to operate more effectively in the digital age.

Shopblocks is a hosted ecommerce platform based in Manchester, UK, that provides businesses with the tools necessary to design, build, and launch their online shops. Established in 2011, the company emerged from a team of digital marketing professionals who sought to improve the online retail experience. Shopblocks addresses common challenges faced by online businesses, particularly the difficulties of maintaining and updating websites. Its platform enables users to manage products, customers, orders, and shop designs from a single interface, offering features such as product data management, real-time supplier feeds, and integrated storefronts. This approach allows businesses to create professional online shops tailored to their needs without being constrained by generic templates, facilitating adaptability in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Laverock Therapeutics is focused on advancing a gene silencing platform that facilitates the development of programmable, allogeneic cell therapies. This innovative platform allows for the engineering of next-generation cell therapies that are both adaptive and capable of responding to various intra- and extra-cellular environmental cues. By enhancing the functionality of these therapies, Laverock Therapeutics aims to improve the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of iPSC-derived products, addressing significant limitations associated with current therapeutic approaches. The company's work is positioned to benefit medical and biotechnology institutions seeking to leverage advanced cell therapy solutions.

Kuano Ltd is a London-based company that specializes in providing quantum and artificial intelligence solutions for molecular design, particularly in the fields of drug discovery and development. Founded in 2020, Kuano has developed a unique discovery platform that integrates quantum simulation with AI-led chemistry, enabling the design of effective inhibitors by analyzing the mechanisms of target enzymes. This innovative approach allows for faster and more efficient development of drug candidates, enhancing the quality of new pharmaceuticals while simultaneously reducing the time required for discovery. The company's solutions are applicable across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, crop protection, and industrial chemistry.