Near-Life is an innovative company specializing in immersive learning content through interactive video. As pioneers in the field, Near-Life combines technology, learning, and media to create a unique online learning platform. The company focuses on delivering eLearning content that integrates video scenarios with gaming technology, offering a distinctive approach to training. This method allows users to engage in intuitive, role-play-style experiences, enhancing their learning process. By prioritizing immersive experiences, Near-Life aims to transform traditional training methods into engaging and effective educational tools.
University of Bristol
Grant in 2024
The University of Bristol is a red brick research university that offers a range of educational courses and services.
The university is organized into six academic facilities: Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and Faculty of Social Sciences and Law. These faculties together award a range of academic degrees spanning bachelor's and master's degrees as well as junior doctorates and higher doctorates.
University of Bristol was established in 1876 and is based in Bristol, United Kingdom.
Loughborough University
Grant in 2024
Loughborough is a fantastic place to study and work, boasting unrivalled sporting achievement, internationally acclaimed research and outstanding teaching quality.
Our attractive single-site campus provides an environment that is stimulating and supportive, offering first-rate facilities for both students and staff. There is a real pride in the University that touches everyone associated with it.
University of Nottingham
Grant in 2024
The University of Nottingham is a comprehensive, campus-based institution with global reach. It offers high-quality teaching across various disciplines, including business through its renowned Nottingham University Business School. The university is known for its influential research and commitment to internationalisation, providing students with a valuable experience that prepares them for their future careers.
Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage
Grant in 2024
The Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage (BCES) is a collaborative hub at the University of Birmingham, dedicated to driving innovation in energy storage technologies. Focusing on thermal and cryogenic energy-based systems, BCES aims to facilitate market-driven solutions while fostering appropriate policy support.
Mi-box Live creates Maths Sports Challenge board games to make studying math fun and engaging through face-to-face interactions. Its objective is to provide interactive learning experiences to individuals of all mathematics abilities, including friendly competition to develop emotional regulation skills.
Plytime Learning
Grant in 2024
Plytime Learning is an educational company that offers online and offline tutoring, e-learning, plays and games, and parent meeting.
University of Salford
Grant in 2024
Established with a clear vision to excel in teaching, research, innovation and engagement, Salford Business School enjoys an excellent national and international reputation for its courses, teaching quality and the progression of students into responsible positions across a variety of industries.
Their emphasis of combining a highly contemporary curriculum with a range of professional development opportunities provides a mix of academic and hands on development.
The University of Edinburgh
Grant in 2023
The University of Edinburgh, established in 1583, is a prestigious institution located in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. It is renowned globally for its academic excellence, offering a wide range of disciplines, including its renowned Medical School and Law School. As one of Scotland's ancient universities, it is committed to delivering high-quality education, conducting cutting-edge research, and fostering innovation to address global challenges.
Warwick Business School
Grant in 2023
Warwick Business School (WBS), established in 1967, is located in Coventry, United Kingdom, and is recognized as the UK's leading provider of finance and business education. It aims to become Europe's premier university-based business school by focusing on impactful research and fostering the development of world-class business leaders. WBS offers a diverse range of programs, including undergraduate, master's, MBA, and PhD degrees, attracting students from approximately 120 countries. As the largest department of the University of Warwick, it provides excellent facilities and a prestigious reputation, while striving to deliver a lifelong return on investment for its students, alumni, and partners. The school is committed to advancing management education and producing transformational ideas that deepen the understanding of business and management practices.
Cogs AI is a London-based company founded in 2021 that focuses on providing personalized learning software for students with special educational needs and disabilities. The app is designed to enhance academic outcomes for neurodiverse children by adapting to their individual learning requirements. It generates tailored learning experiences, content, and tasks based on each child's unique cognitive traits, thereby enabling them to reach their full academic potential. Cogs AI aims to create a supportive learning environment that caters specifically to the needs of neurodiverse young people.
Queen's University Belfast
Grant in 2023
Queen's University Belfast provides knowledge transfer partnerships, and cyber security research, and is a recognized center. The company provides services for children and students.
Kids Speech Labs
Grant in 2023
Kids Speech Labs is a digital health company developing AI-driven solutions to manage and improve speech and language therapy services.
CalmBrain is a digital platform that provides psychological intervention for schools to assist students in managing their mental health, including anxiety, stress, and trauma.
The Allergy Team
Grant in 2023
The Allergy Team assists families, companies, and educational institutions in managing food allergies.
Equal Adventure Developments
Grant in 2023
EAD provides inclusion training as well as designs and sells adventure expedition and sports equipment. EAD Ltd donates its income to the EA Charity in order to provide inclusive adventure, excursions, and well-being programmes, as well as to encourage young people.
Equality Group
Grant in 2023
Equality Group is a consulting organization established in 2018 and based in London, United Kingdom. It specializes in diversifying businesses across finance, technology, and social impact sectors. The firm offers a range of services, including executive search, strategic consultancy, and inclusion education. Additionally, Equality Group has developed Honordex, a data platform that benchmarks and ranks companies based on their equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) performance. Through these services and tools, Equality Group aims to enhance organizational effectiveness and promote a more inclusive business environment.
BERRI is a digital toolkit that can identify, track, and support children's psychological needs, as well as provide personalized reports to their carers. It analyses children and young people's needs in areas such as behavior, emotional well-being, relationships, risk, and indicators of underlying disorders.
Solar for Schools
Grant in 2023
Solar for Schools is a social impact digital platform designed to help educational institutions, including schools, kindergartens, and colleges, generate their own solar energy. The platform facilitates the development of solar projects by connecting students, volunteers, local partners, and councils, enabling these entities to collaborate in a streamlined manner while reducing risks and costs. Solar for Schools also provides online tools and resources that guide installations and foster energy and carbon literacy education, equipping students with the knowledge to understand and address the challenges of achieving a carbon-neutral society. Through these initiatives, Solar for Schools aims to make solar energy accessible to all educational institutions, encouraging sustainable living and cutting carbon emissions.
Adapt is a mobile application designed to assist students in managing their study schedules. It offers a personalized, always-updated revision timetable that adjusts to users' changing calendars, integrates multiple teacher-written, exam-specific lessons, provides past-paper questions with instant feedback, and tracks progress through real-time updates, helping students stay organized and study efficiently.
Green Bean Studios
Grant in 2023
Green Bean Studios develops retail, music, TV, film, and immersive events/attractions to inspire children to learn, discover, nurture, and appreciate the world's natural resources.
InnovateHer aims to make a significant impact on gender inequality in technology.
Offers virtual courses and an e-Learning site to join for the student community. It equips girls aged 13-16 with the self-belief and skills to pursue a career in technology through educational programs.
It was established in 2017 and is based in Liverpool, Merseyside.
Cineon Immersive Training
Grant in 2023
Cineon specializes in immersive learning experiences. Headquartered in Exeter, UK, they offer a range of services including virtual reality training, behavioral training, and eye tracking technology to enhance learning outcomes.
Play Well for Life
Grant in 2023
Play Well For Life is an educational games company focused on teaching emotional intelligence to children, teenagers, and parents through interactive games. The company aims to foster happy, informed, and inspired youth by developing game-based learning tools that equip children with essential skills for the technology-driven future. By integrating education with play, Play Well For Life provides resources that not only entertain but also enhance emotional intelligence and prepare children for the challenges of the digital age.
University of Plymouth
Grant in 2023
University of Plymouth is a world-leading modern, contemporary university and have fostered a dynamic and agile culture where great decisions are made at all levels each day. They have exceptional levels of student satisfaction, undertake world-class research with impact and their enterprising approach along with a commitment to raising aspirations and innovation is making a real and sustainable difference to their students, staff, partners and society on a global stage.
National Biofilms Innovation Centre
Grant in 2022
The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) serves as a collaborative hub uniting academia, industry, government, and public policy to address the challenges posed by biofilms, which significantly impact global economic activity across sectors such as food, health, shipping, clean water, and energy. Supported by funding from the BBSRC, Innovate UK, and Hartree Centre, NBIC's mission focuses on fostering a network for research and innovation that catalyzes partnerships with industry to drive breakthrough innovations. The Centre facilitates the exploration of unmet needs and the exchange of ideas through various initiatives, including roadmaps, workshops, and conferences. Additionally, NBIC is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of scientists through PhD and Post-Doc programs, alongside entrepreneurial training, aimed at enhancing their expertise and understanding of the commercial landscape while promoting the creation of new start-ups.
Anglia Ruskin University
Grant in 2022
Anglia Ruskin University, located in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, is dedicated to providing innovative and inclusive education and research, with a focus on transforming lives. With a diverse student body representing over 185 countries, the university emphasizes an educational experience that engages and empowers students from various academic and societal backgrounds. Anglia Ruskin University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, alongside distance learning, professional, and short courses. The institution is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, recognized as a Disability Confident Employer and a Stonewall Diversity Champion. The university's research initiatives aim to develop transformative ideas and solutions that benefit communities, while measuring success through the achievements of its students. Anglia Ruskin University values its wider community, believing that collaboration enhances the overall educational experience.
Interactive Opportunities
Grant in 2022
Interactive Opportunities is a platform that provides online education to excite and motivate students. to combine teachers, talent, and technology in order to address pressing issues, create fresh learning opportunities, and ultimately improve student performance. works in the verticals of education and training, but its knowledge and technologies are increasingly being used in other fields, including broadcast and sports coaching. has aided in the development of numerous firsts, the majority of which have been successful but some of which have resulted in dead ends. This is all a result of pedagogy evolving and learning from mistakes.
Leeds Beckett University
Grant in 2022
Based in the thriving city of Leeds, our university is one of the most popular in the country.
SETsquared Partnership
Grant in 2021
SETsquared Partnership is a collaborative initiative established in 2001, based in Southampton, United Kingdom. It brings together the universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton, and Surrey to foster the growth of high-tech startups and new business ventures. The organization specializes in enterprise activities, including business incubation, spin-outs, and licensing. SETsquared provides comprehensive support to startups through mentoring, access to investors and industry experts, and tailored training programs. Additionally, it engages in research collaboration and consultancy with various industries, enhancing the innovation ecosystem in the region.
University of Surrey
Grant in 2021
The University of Surrey, situated in Guildford just 30 miles from London, has a rich history dating back to 1891. It focuses on addressing global challenges through innovative research and education. The university is committed to nurturing students' curiosity and fostering a desire to contribute positively to society. With a beautiful campus environment, Surrey emphasizes the importance of research and development, aiming to enhance the quality of life and advance knowledge across various fields.
Learn.ink is an online learning platform that offers a variety of courses. They build microlearning courses for the learners. They create a different product, such as a tool for farmers to sell their produce and get access to agronomy training.
CAPSLOCK is an education company that delivers online training in cyber security and other emerging technologies aimed at career change. It offers affordable, entirely online programmes with student-finance options and an admissions approach that prioritizes future potential over past academic record. The boot camps include mentoring and industry-specific certifications to boost employability and enable practical, workplace-ready skills. Since its launch in 2021, CAPSLOCK has enrolled over 700 learners and reports around 70% of graduates securing employment within six months, with many progressing into entry- to mid-level roles and notable salary gains. The platform emphasizes no upfront costs and remote delivery, providing accessible pathways to diverse opportunities in cyber security and tech and helping to address workforce gaps.
Tutorbloc helps educators who teach one-to-one easily launch a website, accept bookings, share files, get paid, host virtual lessons, track progress & more.
AimHi Earth operates a sustainability training platform, offering live and online sessions to inspire and educate large teams within organizations. Their goal is to empower these teams to drive tangible behavior change and achieve their sustainability objectives, ultimately contributing to a healthier, cooler, and more verdant future.
TutorHero is an online learning platform focused on providing high-quality tutoring in English and Mathematics for children. By utilizing machine learning, TutorHero customizes its tutoring services to meet the unique needs of each student, ensuring effective and personalized learning experiences. The platform offers one-to-one tutoring sessions, along with access to a wide array of revision videos and quizzes, all designed to facilitate learning from the comfort of home. Additionally, TutorHero features interactive revision lessons and creative tutoring methods aimed at fostering a love of learning, particularly to help students recover from educational setbacks experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
BOOP is an innovative software education platform for children with special education needs (SEN). Boop focuses on creating greater independence, encouraging self-organisation and self-assessment and teaching and maintaining life skills for children on the Autism Spectrum.
Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage
Grant in 2020
The Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage (BCES) is a collaborative hub at the University of Birmingham, dedicated to driving innovation in energy storage technologies. Focusing on thermal and cryogenic energy-based systems, BCES aims to facilitate market-driven solutions while fostering appropriate policy support.
teaglo is a social network that gives teachers complete control over their personal brand, resources, professional development, and careers.
Thomson Screening
Grant in 2020
Thomson Screening is a supplier of software for health needs assessments, immunisations, and health screening. They offer schoolscreener software for managing and automating health program requirements. They also provide workscreener platform to provide critical health information to employers across sectors, such as the private sector and the public sector.
Bodyswaps is a London-based platform founded in 2019 that specializes in immersive training solutions for organizations and educational institutions. The company leverages a combination of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and behavioral science to create realistic workplace simulations that facilitate the development of soft skills. By allowing learners to engage in roleplay scenarios with virtual characters using their own voice, Bodyswaps enhances the effectiveness of training while ensuring scalability and cost-efficiency. The platform also offers personalized recommendations based on individual performance, thereby fostering deep and lasting behavioral change. Through its innovative approach, Bodyswaps aims to upskill workforces rapidly and effectively, addressing the evolving demands of the modern workplace.
Near-Life is an innovative company specializing in immersive learning content through interactive video. As pioneers in the field, Near-Life combines technology, learning, and media to create a unique online learning platform. The company focuses on delivering eLearning content that integrates video scenarios with gaming technology, offering a distinctive approach to training. This method allows users to engage in intuitive, role-play-style experiences, enhancing their learning process. By prioritizing immersive experiences, Near-Life aims to transform traditional training methods into engaging and effective educational tools.
Bodyswaps
Pre Seed Round in 2019
Bodyswaps is a London-based platform founded in 2019 that specializes in immersive training solutions for organizations and educational institutions. The company leverages a combination of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and behavioral science to create realistic workplace simulations that facilitate the development of soft skills. By allowing learners to engage in roleplay scenarios with virtual characters using their own voice, Bodyswaps enhances the effectiveness of training while ensuring scalability and cost-efficiency. The platform also offers personalized recommendations based on individual performance, thereby fostering deep and lasting behavioral change. Through its innovative approach, Bodyswaps aims to upskill workforces rapidly and effectively, addressing the evolving demands of the modern workplace.
Knowledge Officer
Grant in 2019
Knowledge Officer Ltd is a company based in Mitcham, United Kingdom, that specializes in providing software and solutions to address information overload and enhance the contextual understanding of content. Established in 2016, the company offers a platform that collects, filters, and aggregates relevant learning materials from various online sources. This enables users to access essential data tailored to their specific interests and career aspirations. Knowledge Officer focuses on equipping individuals with the most sought-after industry skills, facilitating their transition from novices to hireable professionals. Through personalized and dynamic learning paths, the platform supports users in achieving their career goals efficiently, incorporating engaging quizzes to assess their progress along the way.
Cambridge Spark
Grant in 2019
Cambridge Spark specializes in personalized Data Science training. They offer intensive bootcamps, apprenticeships, and bespoke corporate courses led by industry experts, supplemented by their AI-powered talent development platform.
Kopernio
Venture Round in 2018
Kopernio Limited is a London-based technology company that specializes in developing a browser plug-in designed to streamline access to academic journal articles for institutions and researchers. Founded in 2016, the company offers a solution that provides fast, one-click access to millions of research papers, facilitating the retrieval of PDFs without the need for VPNs or cumbersome login processes. The plug-in searches university library subscriptions, pre-print servers, institutional repositories, and private blogs to deliver legitimate access to academic content. This user-friendly tool is particularly beneficial for researchers working off-campus, allowing them to save files for later use. As of March 2018, Kopernio operates as a subsidiary of Clarivate Plc.
MedaPhor Limited is an e-learning company based in Cardiff, United Kingdom, that specializes in creating training products for postgraduate medical professionals. The company focuses on enhancing ultrasound examination techniques through its innovative simulation technology solutions. MedaPhor's offerings include Blue Phantom, which provides ultrasound phantoms for hands-on simulation training in gynaecology and obstetrics, and True Anatomy, an endovaginal training model designed for ultrasound simulation. Additionally, MedaPhor develops models for intrauterine pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, and general pathology, contributing to the advancement of medical education and training. Established in 2004, MedaPhor aims to improve the skills and knowledge of healthcare practitioners through its comprehensive training solutions.
Open Data Institute
Venture Round in 2017
The Open Data Institute Ltd. is a non-profit organization based in London, established in 2012. It aims to foster an open data culture that generates economic, environmental, and social value. By convening experts, the Institute promotes collaboration and innovation, helping to incubate and nurture new ideas through professional coaching and mentoring services. The organization offers a variety of educational courses focused on open data, including topics such as law and licensing, practical applications, and technologies. Through these initiatives, the Open Data Institute strives to unlock data supply, generate demand, and disseminate knowledge to address both local and global challenges. Founded by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Professor Nigel Shadbolt, the Institute operates with a global remit, engaging with individuals and organizations interested in leveraging open data for societal benefit.
How Do I? teaches life and vocational skills through step-by-step videos linked to the learning environment using NFC technology.
Zzish Limited is an EdTech company based in Guildford, United Kingdom, founded in 2013. It specializes in developing a mobile backend-as-a-service platform aimed at educational application developers, offering tools that enhance personalized learning. Zzish's primary product, Quizalize, allows teachers to create engaging quiz games that not only motivate students but also provide real-time data on their progress and learning gaps. This platform includes a teacher dashboard that presents insights into individual and class performance, enabling educators to tailor their teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of each student. Additionally, Zzish offers Revision Buddies, a self-assessment tool for exam preparation across various subjects. The company's solutions are utilized by schools, teachers, and students worldwide, with a significant user base that includes millions of teachers and students across numerous countries.
Playlingo is an award-winning educational technology company headquartered in London, with additional offices in Edinburgh and Zurich. The company specializes in developing a game-based language learning application aimed at helping migrants in the UK improve their English skills. The application features a quiz-style game that encourages users to compete with friends, promoting a fun and engaging learning environment. It includes built-in templates and a live dictionary, allowing users to learn new vocabulary through word puzzles and animated games. Playlingo's mission is to encourage daily reading among English learners, thereby enhancing their language proficiency and communication abilities. The company has a proven track record of delivering high-quality products for notable organizations such as the BBC and Amazon.
New Media Education
Seed Round in 2014
New Media Education (NME) is the creator of Meducation and of various medical tutorials for UK medical students.
Founded in 2008 NME aims to improve the quality of medical education worldwide. In 2009 the company launched Meducation, a social network initially aimed at UK medical students, which encourages interaction between geographically-diverse medical students. It also provides access to a large amount of free educational resources submitted by the community, as well as purchasable resources created by both NME and other small publishers. As of July 2013, Meducation had 30,000 members including 33% of UK medical students.
NME is currently raising a £350k funding round to expand their services both internationally and to doctors and nurses. They expect to close the round during August 2013, hiring 6 new staff through September, and launching the first of their new products later in that year.