Revolution-ZERO has secured £1 million equity from the South West Investment Fund via appointed fund manager, The FSE Group. The initial £1.6 million round, which includes funding from private angels, will help create 20 new jobs while supporting the overall growth of the business, which is based in Truro in Cornwall.

Founded in 2020, Revolution-ZERO is a medical textile solutions provider, with a strong emphasis on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Initially focused on reusable masks, the company has since expanded to include surgical textile solutions and decontamination/sterilisation units equipped with an RFID tracking system.

Operating as a circular economy system, Revolution-ZERO significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with single-use medical textiles, including emissions, waste, water, and toxicity, while also lowering costs for healthcare providers.

Founder and CEO, Tom Dawson, said: "We are thrilled to receive this South West Investment Fund investment via FSE, which will not only accelerate our growth but also further our mission to provide sustainable and effective medical textile solutions. Our end-to-end service model has already shown significant potential in reducing single-use item dependency in healthcare settings and this funding will help us scale these solutions more rapidly."

The BCorp certified company secured accreditations required to supply the NHS in 2021 and has since experienced rapid growth, expanding to 23 staff and more than tripling turnover. With ambitious plans to achieve six operational medical textile processing units by 2026, rising to 24 by 2028, Revolution-ZERO aims to become a £25 million turnover business within the next three years.

Anna Staevska, FSE Investment Manager, commented, "Revolution-ZERO's innovative approach to medical textiles is a game-changer for the healthcare industry. By addressing critical issues related to supply chain vulnerabilities and environmental impact, they are setting new standards for sustainability in the sector. We are excited to support their continued growth and success."

In the UK alone, approximately 53,000 tons of single-use regulated medical textiles are consumed annually, costing the NHS more than £400 million. Revolution-ZERO aims to disrupt this market, which is valued at £405 million annually in the UK and £4 billion across Europe.

Paul Jones from the British Business Bank added: “Revolution-ZERO is transforming the medical textile industry, offering reusable solutions that significantly reduce environmental impact and cut healthcare costs. We’re pleased that the South West Investment Fund has supported the company at this pivotal time to help them scale up and grow.

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. The South West Investment Fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.

Business leaders, social enterprises, and Third Sector organisations from across the Cambridgeshire region gathered in Peterborough (19 September) to hear about two new local government initiatives worth nearly £9.5 million, aimed at supporting growth, innovation and regional economic and social prosperity.

The launch event, led by Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and Cllr Anna Smith, Deputy Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, provided an opportunity for attendees to explore how they can access loans, digital resources, and strategic support funded by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and the UK Government.

The Combined Authority Business Growth and Social Impact Investment Fund represent a key part of the region’s economic recovery and transition towards Net Zero, building business growth, developing new infrastructure and increasing capacity within the Third Sector.

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson said: ‘By offering targeted support to local businesses and the Third Sector, we’re not just driving economic growth and creating new jobs, but empowering our communities to thrive and prosper. The resources we are putting in place today will fuel innovation and create lasting benefits for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.’

Small-to-medium sized businesses within the region who successfully apply for the programme will be able to access loans and equity investments between £100,000 and £500,000 over the next three years, with a focus on key sectors such as IT, Life Sciences, Agri-Tech, Advanced Manufacturing, and Green-Tech. This investment is expected to create or retain around five hundred jobs and contribute to reducing the regions CO2 emissions.

Third sector, community interest and social enterprise organisations who are eligible for the programme will be able to access up to £100,000, with funding aimed at helping to create or safeguard eighty-five jobs, while delivering wider benefits for local communities through enhanced social impact and sustainability. Funding applications will be administered by Allia and FSE on behalf of the CPCA.

Cheryl Weeks, Head of Funds South East and East of England at The FSE Group, said, ‘We are delighted to be working alongside Allia to deliver the CPCA Business Growth and Social Impact Investment Fund. We look forward to working with the wider business support ecosystem and the SMEs to help support their growth ambitions.’

Martin Clark, Allia Chief Executive. ‘As a long-standing member of the local third sector, Allia knows the challenges of growth and works to help those in the sector to start, grow, thrive and survive. Having the right forms of grant and loan funding is a critical component of this and we are confident there will be strong interest in the fund, which we hope will achieve some great growth and impact stories over the coming years.’

Deputy Mayor Cllr Anna Smith spoke at the launch and stated ‘This is such an important initiative which will help break down barriers to growth and allow more businesses to scale up. I’m excited that it also allows social enterprises, those businesses that operate for the good of the community, to grow and increase their impact.’

Article from: https://cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk/

Find out more about the CPCA Business Growth and Social Impact Investment Fund.

Aura Life, a provider of funeral services and funeral plan sales, has secured a £350,000 equity investment from the Coast to Capital Growth Fund via appointed fund manager, The FSE Group. The £2+million funding round, which also includes investments from the Oxford Innovation Fund and the FSE Angel Investor Network, will support business growth including the creation of 16 new jobs.

A fully regulated end-of-life planning company, Aura Life, has rapidly emerged as a market-disrupting funeral care provider in the UK as it seeks to address the logistical, financial, and emotional challenges faced by consumers in funeral planning.

Its digital platform simplifies the funeral planning process, providing clarity for families of the deceased, allowing them to focus on managing their grief and celebrating their loved ones without the added stress of logistical and financial burdens.

Dave Jameson, CEO of Aura Life, said: "This funding will enable us to further our mission of creating a society where planning for death is embraced as part of life. Our digital funeral planning service and end of life planning tools ensure that we can cater to the diverse needs of our clients during their most challenging times, and we are thrilled to have the support of The FSE Group and our other investors on this journey."

With funeral costs continuing to rise amidst a cost-of-living crisis, Aura Life offers a viable alternative by providing funerals at a fraction of the cost of traditional services. Their pre-paid funeral plans start at £1095 compared to traditional funerals, which can cost up to £6,000.  

Jonathan Day, FSE Investment Manager, commented: "Aura Life’s innovative approach to funeral planning is combined with an impressive management team and strong market potential. They have successfully navigated FCA registration and, in just over a year, driven sales of over £2m of funeral plans alone. We believe Aura Life is well-positioned to revolutionise the funeral care industry and provide significant benefits to families across the UK."

The direct cremation market, currently valued at around £700m, is growing rapidly with a 600% increase since 2020. With its strong sector partnerships, robust cremation network, and market disrupting funeral solutions for the tech age, Aura Life is poised to succeed in this expanding market.

Coast to Capital Growth Fund is part of Coast to Capital Funding Escalator, which provides eligible companies with loans and equity funding between £50,000 and £500,000 for activities that will deliver high-growth and employment opportunities.

Somerset based green energy tech business, Gridimp has secured £250,000 debt funding from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund via funding partner The FSE Group.

The company helps businesses join the flexible energy markets to improve sustainability and efficiency using their innovative energy technology.

Their technological and hardware solutions allow companies to monitor their energy usage in real time, and the AI technology helps customers make informed decisions to lower their carbon footprint and reduce costs. This data also gives Gridimp the power to integrate greener energy sources such as wind or battery storage into the existing grid infrastructure.

Enabling customers to use the smart grid easily is critical to the decarbonisation of the UK’s current energy supply and helps providers meet the increasing demand brought on by new sustainable technology like electric vehicles. As even more sources of renewable energy become available Gridimp’s research and development will ensure they continue to meet the needs of an ever-changing market.

Richard Ryan, Co-Founder and Commercial Director at Gridimp, said: “The world is moving towards renewable energy and a more efficient and robust energy grid. We are ready to lead the switch over to a modernised system of power distribution and consumption, giving added access to revenue generating flexibility markets for businesses. We are proud of our products which have come about as a result of collaborations with partners across the globe and are delighted to have received this funding from the South West Investment Fund, which will support our business growth and enable us to employ more staff and move to an office that better suits our needs and growing team.”

The British Business Bank’s £200m South West Investment Fund covers the entire South West region and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

Rob Ward, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, added:“Gridimp is emerging as a market leader in a sector which is undergoing a desperately needed shake up in terms of sustainability. The dedicated team of engineers, data scientists and energy experts are clearly passionate about what they do and the company’s visionary approach. We were impressed by how easily Gridimp’s technology can be installed and by the value provided to their clients. We wish the team every success for the future and have no doubt about the positive impact they will have on the energy sector.”

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager, British Business Bank, said: “Supporting local businesses which drive the UK economy’s transition to net zero is integral to the vision for the South West Investment Fund. Businesses like Gridimp demonstrate how technological innovation in the South West is enabling businesses to make informed decisions about how to reduce their carbon footprint and save money in the process.”

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. The South West Investment Fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.

Connekt Group, a Scottish owned independent electric vehicle (EV) charging network and commercial installation business, has secured a £250,000 Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS) loan via appointed Fund Manager, The FSE Group.

The funding will be used to develop Connekt’s first three rapid charging hubs, enabling the company to expand its proven hub model contributing to national sustainability goals and supporting the transition to electric vehicles.

The British Business Bank’s £150m IFS covers all areas of Scotland – Greater Glasgow, Greater Edinburgh, Aberdeen and North East, Dundee and Tayside, South of Scotland and the Highlands and Islands and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

Connekt Group specialises in the installation and management of commercial EV charging solutions across various sectors, including hospitality and corporate offices. It boasts an impressive network reliability with a 99.13% operability rate, underpinned by real-time data monitoring. The company aims to fill the gap in Scotland’s currently unreliable EV charging infrastructure by offering dependable and accessible charging solutions, supporting the Scottish Government’s objective of widespread EV adoption by 2030.

With 14 million tourists visiting Scotland each year, Connekt’s strategic placement of charging hubs at key tourism locations positions the company for sustained growth.

Connekt Founder and Managing Director, Johnny Manning, said: “We are thrilled to receive this IFS loan via The FSE Group, which will help us play a pivotal role in propelling Connekt’s strategy in the rapid charging market whilst supporting Scotland’s green transition. Growth funding for early-stage businesses is limited but vital – with this support we are able to continue our work towards becoming a leader in the EV charging sector, driving the adoption of sustainable energy solutions across the nation.”

Jim Pritchard, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, added: “As the only privately-owned EV charging network in Scotland, Connekt is uniquely positioned in a high-growth niche, leveraging its reliable network and strategic market insights. Its robust management team, solid business model and strong growth trajectory present a compelling investment opportunity that we are delighted to support.”

Mark Sterritt, Director, Nations and Regions Funds, at the British Business Bank, added: “Smaller businesses have an important role to play in Scotland’s transition to net zero, with firms providing technology and infrastructure for decarbonisation at the heart of it. However, access to finance is key to supporting their growth, allowing them to scale and make the most of growing demand for their services. Connekt is a great example of the type of business with high-growth potential that the IFS was set up to support and we look forward to seeing the wider roll out of its technology.”

The purpose of the Investment Fund for Scotland is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across Scotland. It will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for Scotland smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.

SMEs across Yorkshire and Humber are growing and creating jobs with investment from Finance Yorkshire.

The funding body’s loans fund is supporting businesses expand by investing in technology, marketing spend, new product development and the hiring of new staff.

Finance Yorkshire’s loans fund provides investments to SMEs of between £25,000 and £250,000.

Wetherby based video production and animation company Reel Film Media has received £70,000 from the loans fund. The investment is being used to increase its marketing and sales capacity including the appointment of new staff.

Reel Film will also use the investment to attract potential customers by generating new content for its website. In addition, the company has hired a content creation lead to provide a new service for clients.

Founder Adam Chandler said: “Finance Yorkshire has been great. They saw the vision we have for the business and feel more like a partner rather than just a funder. The investment will make a big difference to our marketing strategy and accelerate where we want to go with the business.”

Finance Yorkshire’s loans fund is also supporting Trustist, an award-winning customer reviews platform company based in York with high profile clients including Timpsons, Johnsons the Cleaners and Max Spielmann.

Trustist enables clients to see their online reputation in one place. It aggregates reviews from different sites which can be viewed, managed and displayed on a single dashboard.

Trustist is using its £250,000 investment to develop its own technology, marketing and hire more staff.

Founder Nigel Apperley said: “Finance Yorkshire’s investment is essential to us being able to grow the business. We are recruiting more developers who will be based in York and have plans to develop franchising as a route to growing Trustist and its reach even further.”

Finance Yorkshire chief executive Alex McWhirter said: “Our loans fund is a key route to access to finance for the region’s SMEs and is supporting exciting growth in a number of sectors particularly creative, digital and tech.

“SMEs see us as a trusted partner in their businesses as witnessed by Reel Film and Trustist who are expanding at pace and importantly creating jobs in Yorkshire and Humber. We are delighted to support them in their growth journeys.”

Finance Yorkshire’s loans fund is aimed at established or growing businesses looking for expansion finance.

To qualify for a loan, companies must be paying business rates in the Yorkshire and Humber region or wish to relocate.

The funding available is to enable businesses to invest in scaling up activities that will deliver substantial growth impact such as sales and marketing; hiring new staff; new product development; entering new markets; purchasing new equipment; and working capital.

Joiin Ltd, an innovative provider of integrated accountancy software solutions, has secured a £250,000 South West Investment Fund (SWIF) loan via appointed Fund Manager, The FSE Group, to support business growth.

Based at Exeter Science Park, Joiin provides low cost fintech solutions that integrate seamlessly with accountancy software to create consolidated and group reports for businesses. By automating this process, Joiin’s platform not only saves time but also enhances accuracy by eliminating human error and offering multi-currency reporting capabilities.

The company has already experienced rapid expansion, boasting an impressive year-on-year growth rate of 89% in 2024 and is now serving thousands of customers across more than 100 countries.

The South West Investment Fund covers the entire South West region and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

Lucien Wynn, CEO of Joiin, said: "This South West Investment Fund loan will enable us to hire new staff members in roles that are crucial for our continued growth and commitment to providing top-tier solutions for our clients. It is great to be working with a funder who understands this and is prepared to invest in our future potential. We look forward to working with the FSE team on this journey."

Clare Lenihan-Thomas, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: "Joiin’s established product, strong reputation, and impressive market traction make them a standout in the fintech space. We believe in their vision and are confident this funding will help accelerate their expansion, ultimately enabling them to take advantage of further global opportunities including in Australia and the US."

Jody Tableporter Director, Nations and Regions Investment Funds, at the British Business Bank said: “Joiin is a great example of an innovative business in the fintech sector that is leveraging the South West Investment Fund to drive growth and expand their market presence. By providing critical financial support, the Fund is not only enabling Joiin to scale its operations and create new job opportunities, but is also contributing to the broader economic development of the South West region."

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. The South West Investment Fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.

New Motion Labs (NML), a developer of innovative drivetrain technology for the mobility and industrial markets, has secured over £890,000 equity investment from the South West Investment Fund via appointed Fund Manager, The FSE Group.

The investment is part of a wider £1.8million funding round designed to support business growth and will bolster a variety of  activities including product development, sales and marketing, and the creation of new jobs.

Exeter-based NML's patented and award-winning Enduo technology has re-engineered the traditional chain and sprocket to reduce wear, enhance component lifetime, reduce energy loss, and lower manufacturing costs, while offering retrofit capabilities.

It has already found success in track cycling and e-bike markets, including cargo e-bikes and shared e-bikes, resulting in significant reductions in energy consumption and maintenance requirements.

NML is now targeting the global industrial sector, where chain failure presents a costly challenge across thousands of manufacturing processes. Applications for Enduo are extensive and NML is poised to deliver reliable solutions across industries such as automotive and food and beverage.

Damien Murphy, NML CEO, said: "This funding marks a pivotal milestone in NML's journey, enabling us to accelerate our growth trajectory, expand our product offering and further penetrate the industrial market. The FSE Group has been working alongside us to help secure co-investors in a challenging investment market and we are grateful for their belief in our game-changing technology and the support of the South West Investment Fund."

Ralph Singleton, Head of Equity Investment at The FSE Group, added: "This experienced and knowledgeable management team boasts an impressive track record and influential industry connections. NML's robust R&D capabilities, strong IP position, and the proven efficacy of their Enduo technology position them uniquely to address critical pain points in both the cycling and industrial sectors. We are confident in their vision and the potential for substantial market impact and look forward to continuing to work with them as they enter this next phase of growth."

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager, British Business Bank: “NML have reengineered the sprocket and chain technology for the first time in over a century with the aim of applying it to potentially thousands of industrial and manufacturing applications worldwide. The South West Investment Fund exists to support the growth of innovative businesses in the region and this deal is a great example of that.”

The South West Investment Fund covers the entire South West region and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

The purpose of the Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West by increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance, breaking down barriers and providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment.

The Aesthetics Club, an award-winning aesthetic clinic providing premier beauty treatments, has secured a £250,000 loan from the Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS), via appointed Fund Manager, The FSE Group. 

The loan will enable the opening of two new clinics located in Glasgow and Edinburgh, expanding services and creating a number of new jobs. 

The £150m IFS covers all areas of Scotland – Greater Glasgow, Greater Edinburgh, Aberdeen and North East, Dundee and Tayside, South of Scotland and the Highlands and Islands and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.   

Founded in 2018 by Fiona Ross, a registered nurse, The Aesthetics Club has quickly established a strong reputation for excellence, experiencing a 100+% increase in business across its existing Glasgow and London clinics since 2021, attracting over 7,000 registered customers.  

The Aesthetics Club is now set to expand its footprint by opening new clinics in Glasgow South and Edinburgh as well as maximising concession and brand partnership opportunities, further broadening its reach.  

Fiona Ross, Founder of The Aesthetics Club said: "We are thrilled to receive this investment to support our expansion plans. Our significant growth, loyal customer base and high wait lists demonstrate the demand for our services but securing funding based on future sales can be particularly challenging for smaller businesses. We are delighted FSE’s projection-led approach means we can access this much-needed funding source from the IFS.” 

Jim Pritchard, Investment Manager at The FSE Group commented: “This is a thriving business with levels of demand that underscore the market opportunity available to The Aesthetics Club. With 100% customer satisfaction, a strong brand identity and limited competition offering a similar breadth of treatments and expertise, this strategic expansion is supported by solid projections that indicate ongoing profitability. We look forward to working with Fiona and her team as they continue towards their growth goals.” 

Mark Sterritt, Director, Nations and Regions Funds, at the British Business Bank, said: “The Aesthetic Club’s growth over the past six years is nothing short of impressive, and it is ideally placed to capitalise on the demand for premium quality beauty treatments. It is great to see the impact that the IFS has delivered for smaller businesses across a diverse mix of sectors in less than a year. Supporting female-led businesses is a key priority for us, and it is inspiring to see leaders like Fiona excel in their respective fields.” 

The purpose of the Investment fund for Scotland is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across Scotland. The Investment fund for Scotland will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for Scotland smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.  

For more information about The Aesthetics Club Ltd and its services, please visit www.theaestheticsclub.com. 

Global Expat Pay (GEP), which delivers global mobility solutions, has secured a £500,000 expansion loan from the Thames Valley Berkshire (TVB) Funding Escalator via appointed Fund Manager, The FSE Group. The funding will be used to increase staff to support GEP’s growing contracts and pipeline.

Founded in 2019, GEP has developed an innovative platform that simplifies and centralises payroll, tax, and immigration management for international businesses when dealing with the movement of employees between countries. This technology-led managed service streamlines data and payment management, automates critical processes, and eliminates duplication of effort. By integrating multiple data sources into a single reporting system, GEP provides actionable insights that enhance global mobility operations.

The market for global mobility solutions is expanding, with GEP uniquely positioned to challenge the Big 4 accounting firms in this sector. GEP’s automated solutions not only integrate seamlessly into customers' core systems but also deliver significant flexibility and cost efficiencies.

Mike Hibberd, Founder & CEO of Global Expat Pay, said: “We are thrilled to be working with TVB and The FSE Group. This investment will allow us to scale our team and meet the growing demand for our solutions. Our mission is to disrupt the status quo in the global mobility market by offering a comprehensive, automated service that outperforms traditional methods employed by the Big 4 accounting firms.”

Cheryl Weeks, Head of Funds at The FSE Group, added: “Global Expat Pay has demonstrated strong growth and innovation, with their blend of expertise in global mobility, data management, and cutting-edge technology positioning them well to continue this trajectory. Their innovative approach has consistently won competitive RFPs against the Big 4 and we are excited to support their expansion and look forward to seeing their continued success.”

With this new funding, GEP is set to further solidify its market presence and continue delivering exceptional value to its customers.

TVB Funding Escalator is an £11.3m initiative funded by Berkshire LEP. The escalator, which includes an Expansion Loan Scheme and a Trade Finance Loan Scheme, provides eligible companies with loans between £50,000 and £500,000 for activities that will deliver high-growth and employment opportunities.