Pioneering technology to address threatened miscarriage secures £1M funding and moves towards clinical trials
Calla Lily Clinical Care has secured £1M in Invention for Innovation (i4i) funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to trial Callavid®, a pioneering device designed to improve the delivery of progesterone for women at risk of threatened miscarriage. Currently, vaginal progesterone pessaries are prone to leakage, causing distress and inconvenience. Callavid®, a tampon-shaped device with an integrated mini-liner, ensures better absorption by keeping the medication in place, reducing anxiety and improving comfort.
The NIHR funding will support a usability study beginning this month, followed by a clinical feasibility study in late 2025, led by Professor Siobhan Quenby MBE at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust’s Clinical Trials Unit. A pivotal bioequivalence trial is planned for 2026, after which Callavid® could become the first MHRA-approved drug-device combination for threatened miscarriage. The technology also holds potential for IVF patients and other vaginally delivered medications.
Dr Lara Zibners, Co-founder and Chair of Calla Lily Clinical Care, highlighted the emotional toll of progesterone leakage and the transformative potential of Callavid®, while Professor Quenby emphasised its importance for reducing patient anxiety. Professor Michael Lewis, Scientific Director for Innovation at the NIHR, underscored the innovation’s alignment with the NIHR’s mission to improve health outcomes. If successful, Callavid® could significantly enhance the experience of miscarriage prevention and fertility treatment for women across the UK.
Legacy Compass secures £60,000 to transform End-of-Life planning
Legacy-tech startup Legacy Compass has secured £60,000 from Bethnal Green Ventures’ Tech for Good Programme to revolutionise end-of-life planning. Founded by Natalia Pazzaglia, the platform blends storytelling, human-centred design, and AI-powered emotional intelligence to simplify and de-stigmatise these essential conversations. With one in five people projected to face serious illnesses by 2040 and bereaved families in the UK enduring an average 15-month administrative burden, Legacy Compass offers a holistic, digital-first solution to streamline both emotional and practical legacy planning.
Through its intuitive platform, users can store audio memories, digital messages, and end-of-life preferences, ensuring a seamless, emotionally intelligent approach to estate planning. Backed by AI-driven sentiment analysis and trauma-informed design, the platform helps individuals and businesses navigate loss with clarity and confidence. “This funding is a transformative moment,” said Pazzaglia. “End-of-life planning should be an opportunity to reflect, connect, and prepare with clarity.”
With this investment, Legacy Compass will enhance its AI capabilities, expand B2B partnerships, and integrate its platform into employee well-being programs. By breaking societal taboos around death and legacy, the company is shaping a future where loss is not a burden, but a tool for connection, resilience, and thoughtful preparation.
Unravel raises £5.38M Series A to revolutionise travel through creator-driven content and AI
Unravel, the AI-powered video commerce platform revolutionising travel discovery, has secured £5.38M in Series A funding led by Nauta Capital, with participation from Active Partners, Slingshot Ventures, Olivier Bisserier (ex-CFO, Booking.com), and other high-profile investors. The platform transforms creator-driven video content into seamless booking experiences, enabling banks, airlines, and telecom operators to integrate travel discovery and commerce into their ecosystems. Already active across Asia and the Middle East, Unravel is now expanding into Europe and the UK, driving significant increases in user engagement and conversion rates.
Dubbed the “TikTok of Travel,” Unravel leverages AI to make creator-shot travel videos instantly bookable. Instead of relying on traditional search methods, modern travellers find inspiration through short-form content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Unravel partners with top travel creators to showcase authentic experiences, from luxury stays to hidden street food spots, embedding frictionless booking options directly within banking apps, airline loyalty programmes, and fintech marketplaces. This innovation has led to a fourfold increase in daily active users and a tenfold rise in conversions for its enterprise customers.
With the fresh funding, Unravel will accelerate its AI-driven innovation to optimise video-commerce conversions and expand its London-based team, recruiting talent in AI/ML, enterprise partnerships, and digital commerce. Investors, including Indian cricket star KL Rahul and General Partner at Nauta Capital Carles Ferrer, have expressed confidence in Unravel’s potential to redefine travel discovery. As the company scales globally, it aims to capitalise on the growing demand for embedded travel experiences, positioning itself as a key player in the next era of travel commerce.
Limitless Travel raises £6.5M to expand accessible travel for people with disabilities
Accessible travel pioneer Limitless Travel has secured £6.5M in Series A funding to fuel its next phase of growth. Following a 350% revenue increase since 2022, the investment—led by Beringea alongside Social Impact Enterprises, Adjuvo, Active Partners, Miroma Ventures, and existing backers—marks the company’s strongest financial position since its launch in 2015.
Founded by Angus Drummond, who was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at 22, Limitless Travel is on a mission to transform the lives of disabled travellers. The company has delivered thousands of holidays and cruises, expanded to 80+ employees, and aims to become the world’s first global travel brand for people with disabilities. This funding will drive destination expansion, operational efficiency, and new customer outreach, ensuring that accessible travel is no longer an afterthought.
“The global accessible tourism market exceeds $100B, yet millions still face barriers to travel,” said Drummond. “This investment is a game-changer—not just for Limitless, but for disability travel as a whole. With our investors’ support, we’re ready to lead the charge and prove that disabled travellers deserve nothing but the best.”
CIBC Innovation Banking provides £7.74M debt financing to Sedna Communications
Sedna Communications Ltd, an AI-powered workflow automation platform backed by Insight Partners, has secured £7.74M in debt financing from CIBC Innovation Banking. The funding will accelerate AI innovation, expand platform integrations, and fuel sustainable growth to better serve Sedna’s growing customer base in the global trade and supply chain market.
Founded in 2017, Sedna specialises in transforming maritime and supply chain communications by extracting valuable data from emails, the industry's primary communication method. With the largest customer base in the sector, Sedna has increased operator capacity by 200% and delivered an 80% productivity boost for clients. The recent acquisition of Nordic IT further strengthens its market position as the dominant provider of maritime email solutions.
Robert Scott, CFO of Sedna, commented, “This financing from CIBC Innovation Banking validates our strong market position. The support will enable us to scale rapidly, invest in cutting-edge technologies, and continue our global growth." Sean Duffy, Managing Director at CIBC, added, “Sedna’s platform is transforming communication in the maritime and supply chain industry, enabling timely, data-driven decisions that are crucial for global trade success.”
Phlux Technology raises £9M to power next-gen fibre broadband and sensing
Sheffield-based Phlux Technology has secured £9M in Series A funding, led by BGF with participation from Octopus Ventures, Northern Gritstone, and Foresight. The investment will accelerate Phlux’s expansion into optical communications and sensing markets, leveraging its breakthrough antimonide-based semiconductor technology.
Phlux’s highly sensitive, low-power infrared sensors enhance fibre-optic broadband speeds by up to five times, supporting data rates of 50 Gbps. The technology also advances LIDAR sensing for autonomous vehicles and industrial applications. Founded in 2020 as a University of Sheffield spin-out, Phlux plans to scale production, grow its team, and strengthen global partnerships.
Ben White, CEO of Phlux, stated: “This funding enables us to remove a long-standing technology bottleneck and push the boundaries of connectivity and sensing.” Luke Rajah, Partner at BGF, added: “Phlux’s innovation is set to transform a sector ripe for disruption, and we’re excited to support their global scale-up.”
Zepz secures £127.7M in New Financing to Drive Growth
Zepz, the global payments group behind WorldRemit and Sendwave, has secured £127.7M in revolving and term facilities to strengthen its financial position and expand its market reach. The $110M revolving credit facility, led by HSBC Innovation Banking, and the $55M term facility, underwritten by HSBC Private Credit, replace a previous $80M arrangement and build on a decade-long partnership between Zepz and HSBC.
Serving over 9 million users with 8 million monthly transactions, Zepz will use this financing to enhance transaction speed, reliability, and affordability. The added flexibility enables further fee optimisations and service improvements. CEO Mark Lenhard emphasised that the funding will help empower migrants with better financial tools, while CFO Barrie Morris highlighted its role in lowering borrowing costs and driving long-term growth.
Despite fintech funding challenges, Zepz remains a profitable leader in global payments, having secured $267M in Series F funding last year. HSBC’s Angela Mylrea reaffirmed the bank’s confidence in Zepz’s ability to scale, stating that the facility underscores HSBC’s commitment to supporting high-growth fintech innovators.
POCKLA Secures £1.6M Seed Round to Revolutionise AI-Powered Content Creation
POCKLA has raised £1.6M in a seed round led by Venrex, with backing from Sidemen’s Upside Ventures, Love Ventures, Shuttle, and Syndicate Room, alongside notable industry figures including ex-TikTok GM Rich Waterworth, ex-Google UK Head Dan Cobley, and former MiQ executives Michael Chock and Ryan Quinn. This latest funding brings POCKLA’s total raised to £2M, fuelling product development and team expansion.
Founded in 2022 by Hugo Bibby and Rupert Boddington, POCKLA helps brands find their ‘internet voice’ by leveraging LLM-driven AI insights to create authentic, high-impact content that resonates with modern audiences. In an era where 73% of consumers prefer short-form video, POCKLA enables brands to move at the speed of social media, crafting content that entertains, engages, and builds communities.
“The future of marketing lies in genuine audience engagement, and POCKLA is leading the way,” said Sam Uwins, Director at Sidemen Entertainment. Venrex investor Alistair Russell added, “POCKLA’s fusion of AI and creativity is redefining brand engagement, making it a standout investment.” Co-founder Rupert Boddington emphasised that brands are now competing not just with each other, but with every piece of entertainment on a consumer’s feed—a challenge POCKLA is uniquely positioned to solve.
Grid Edge raises £2.8M for AI software that helps cut energy costs and carbon
Grid Edge, a UK-based AI software company helping commercial buildings cut energy costs and carbon emissions, has secured over £2.8M from Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, Mercia Ventures, Centrica, bp Ventures, and private investors. The platform, already in use at Birmingham’s Bull Ring and London’s Royal Opera House, gathers data from meters, sensors, and building management systems, integrating it with external sources like energy tariffs and weather feeds. Using machine learning, it optimises energy performance, reducing emissions and costs by an average of 20% while delivering a return on investment within six months.
Founded in 2016 by energy specialists Jim Scott, Dan Wright, and Tom Anderson at Aston University, the Birmingham-based company has experienced rapid growth, increasing annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 150% in the past year. The funding, pending approval under the National Security and Investment Act (NSIA), will allow Grid Edge to scale its customer base, enhance its platform, and expand its team with 15 new hires in sales, customer support, and technical roles. CEO Paul McCorquodale highlighted growing demand as businesses seek cost-effective sustainability solutions.
The investment round was led by Mercia Ventures, with Beth Bannister of the British Business Bank emphasising its support for innovative Midlands-based companies. Rafael Joseph of Mercia Ventures noted that rising energy costs and tightening carbon regulations are accelerating adoption, positioning Grid Edge for significant growth as businesses prioritise energy efficiency and carbon reduction.
33N Ventures secures major investment to drive global cybersecurity & AI growth
Cybersecurity and infrastructure software VC fund 33N has secured additional investment from the European Investment Fund (EIF), Luxembourg Future Fund (LFF2), and Criteria Venture Tech, with Caixa Capital reinforcing its commitment. This funding strengthens 33N’s position as a global, multi-stage investor in cybersecurity, AI, data, and DevOps.
With a proven track record, 33N has backed high-growth companies like Panorays, StrikeReady, Exein, and DataGalaxy. Managing Partner Carlos Moreira da Silva highlighted investor confidence in 33N’s global outlook and deep industry expertise, while Carlos Alberto Silva called this funding a significant achievement in a tough market.
Founded in partnership with ALANTRA, 33N is supported by a global network of 40+ industry leaders and remains committed to scaling Europe’s top cybersecurity and tech firms onto the global stage.
In other international investment news
All Gravy raises $2.9M to scale AI-powered workforce tech in the UK
Danish startup All Gravy has raised $2.9M to expand its AI-driven platform for frontline workers, accelerating UK growth after signing Dishoom, Pizza Pilgrims, Honest Burgers, and Ottolenghi. The seed round, co-led by Scale Capital and Moonfire Ventures, also saw participation from Zendesk’s Alexander Aghassipour, Pleo’s Jeppe Rindom, and Voi’s Fredrik Hjelm.
With frontline industries struggling due to rising labour costs, high turnover, and outdated tools, All Gravy leverages AI to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and support employees. Its AI assistant acts as an experienced colleague, guiding workers and helping managers make smarter decisions. CEO Jonatan Rasmussen sees AI as transformative: "Six months ago, UK companies wouldn’t take our calls—now they’re calling us."
Backed by rapid UK traction, All Gravy aims to redefine frontline work with AI-powered workforce management. Investor Mattias Ljungman (Moonfire) called AI “a transformative force on par with the internet”, while Judith Schrader (Scale Capital) highlighted its potential to reshape the service industry. With over 1,000 retail and hospitality businesses already using the platform, All Gravy is poised to become the default AI-powered people operating system for frontline teams.
WeeFin raises €25M to scale ESG-focused fintech platform
WeeFin, the sustainable fintech helping financial institutions manage ESG and impact strategies, has secured €25M in funding. The round, led by BlackFin Capital Partners alongside IRIS, Asterion Ventures, and Ring Capital, follows its Series A just 15 months ago. The investment will fuel product innovation, global expansion, and strengthen its presence in the UK market via its London office.
Founded in 2021 by Grégoire Hug, Marion Aubert, and Guillaume Klech, WeeFin offers a SaaS platform that centralises sustainability data for financial institutions. The company already serves 40+ clients, including Generali Asset Management and Groupe BPCE, managing €6.9 trillion in assets. With Annual Recurring Revenue growing fivefold in two years, WeeFin is rapidly expanding across Europe, adding new clients in Luxembourg and Italy, and doubling its team with plans to hire 100+ employees over three years.
BlackFin Partner Julien Creuzé praised WeeFin’s rapid international growth and vision to become the leading ESG data platform for asset managers. CEO Grégoire Hug sees the investment as validation of WeeFin’s mission to embed sustainability at the heart of financial strategy, helping institutions scale their ESG commitments with confidence.
Fiberdom Secures €3.5M to Scale Plastic-Free Material Innovation
Fiberdom, a pioneer in wood fiber material technology, has raised €3.5M to scale its 100% plastic-free, recyclable, and compostable material solutions. The round, led by Heino Group alongside Nordic Foodtech VC and Holdix Oy, includes a €0.6M grant from Business Finland. The funding will accelerate R&D, commercialization, and strategic growth as Fiberdom expands into high-growth markets.
Using a patented process, Fiberdom transforms natural wood fibers into a high-performance “supermaterial”, already proven in commercialized single-use cutlery that meets the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive. The company aims to replace non-essential plastics across industries, addressing scalability, durability, and recyclability without compromising sustainability. With the fiber-based packaging market set to grow to $567B by 2034, Fiberdom is positioned to drive a materials revolution through strategic partnerships with forward-thinking companies.
"This investment is a game-changer, enabling us to replace non-essential plastics at scale,” said Tomi Järvenpää, General Manager at Fiberdom. "The demand for plastic-free alternatives is surging, and with this backing, we’re ready to transform entire product categories with sustainable, high-performance materials."
