Three high-growth tech start-ups from Bristol are hoping for funding after taking part in a high-profile investment event staged by SETsquared, the global number one business incubator backed by the University of Bristol.
SETsquared’s annual Accelerating Growth Investment Showcase in London gives entrepreneurs based at its centres the chance to pitch to more than 200 investors and corporates.
In previous years these investors have backed businesses to the tune of £35m.
The Bristol companies pitching for investment were:
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Inductosense, which has developed embeddable, battery-free sensors, systems and analytics for fast, repeatable, through-life detection of cracks, corrosion or defects in structures,
- Inclusive Media Solutions, which has created EasyVideo, enabling adults with learning disabilities to scan household items with any smart deviceand plays a video of how to use it,
- VRGO, which has created a wireless, hands-free, motion-controlled chair for use with virtual reality games, designed to fit into typical living spaces.
The three are based at the SETsquared Bristol’s innovation centre in the city’s Engine Shed enterprise hub. SETsquared, which is also backed by the universities of Bath, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey, provides mentoring support and comprehensive pitch training to enable member firms to pitch to potential investors.
The three Bristol firms were joined by others from around the SETsquared network. All the firms also exhibited at the showcase, giving them the chance to talk to would-be backers face-to-face.
SETsquared Bristol centre director Monika Radclyffe said: “Yet again, I was delighted and very proud to see huge enthusiasm and commitment from the companies that SETsquared supports at this year’s Accelerating Growth investment showcase.
“There is a real appetite among investors to partner with SETsquared’s high-growth potential technology companies and their engaging pitches really created a buzz at the event.
“It was promising to see many positive conversations taking place between the start-ups and investors at the showcase. We hope this networking opportunity will result in even more success stories for Bristol’s budding entrepreneurs over the next year.”
The event was the 13th investment showcase staged by SETsquared. Over the past 14 years SETsquared has helped more than 1,000 businesses raise £1bn-plus in investment, as well as contributing over £3.8bn to the economy. The figures contributed to it being named last year as the top university business incubator in the world by UBI Global
Pictured, from left: Dr Agnieszka Janecz of Renovos; Simon Bond, innovation director at SETsquared; Monika Radclyffe, SETsquared Bristol centre director and Dr Matt Butcher of Inductosense
