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The art of ecosystem building: how Manchester is leading the charge in AI and deep technology in the UK

2025-06-26 14:16:53 By

Liz Scott is executive director at the Turing Innovation Catalyst Manchester

The development of national and regional tech ecosystems is often presented with fairly stark investment figures. Looking at the landscape for tech, and AI specifically, in Greater Manchester there's been a lot to celebrate in recent years and it's clear that both the public and private sectors are invested in that vision.

The UK’s AI startups are riding a wave of considerable growth, with a staggering $3.4 billion raised in funding in 2023, marking a welcome 10% increase from 2022. Within this national surge, it’s exciting to see the North West emerge as a key benefitting region, attracting $57 million in AI investments in 2023 alone, according to a recent Tech Nation report.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Digital Blueprint 2023-26 shows that £532 million was invested in Manchester’s digital businesses in 2022 - with 78% of these companies reporting significant growth. And as we look to the immediate future, the city region’s technology and data sector is expected to balloon to a value of £5.5 billion by 2025 and £7 billion by 2029.

Underpinning all of these bold headlines is a dedication to cultivating an ecosystem that is not often discussed but is reaping significant benefits for Greater Manchester as a highly ambitious city region.

Before we think about the deliberate building of anything, we should take a minute to reflect on the “E” word…

If you spend any time talking to people about tech companies - the investment they raise, the jobs they create, the places in which they’re founded - it won’t be long before someone mentions an ‘ecosystem’.

If the tech world isn’t one you spend much of your time in, the last time you considered an ecosystem might have been in a geography lesson at school. But while this isn’t about the natural world, it is about an interconnected environment that creates the perfect conditions for growth.

Ecosystems can emerge organically, or they can be built deliberately. Silicon Valley and the UK’s Golden Triangle are excellent examples of ecosystems that have emerged over a number of decades as a result of a long-term clustering of talent, ideas and funding.

For ambitious city regions like Greater Manchester, waiting a couple of decades for the natural emergence of a thriving ecosystem hasn’t been an option. So, it’s all hands to the pump to deliberately create the conditions that will lead to the next wave of innovation.

The Greater Manchester tech ecosystem comprises a mix of interconnected businesses - from startups and scaleups, home-grown unicorns and global big tech, investors, public bodies, academic institutions and non-profits.

All of these organisations have a shared investment in the ecosystem’s success, and it’s in everyone’s interest to drive innovation and deliver growth for the city region. What’s more, we know that to stand a chance of achieving this, a collective approach is essential.

Think for a second about an innovator with an idea to dramatically reduce global carbon emissions by ensuring that more wind turbines can safely be constructed in the seas across the world. A great idea is great, but the innovator needs help understanding how to develop the idea into a business model; how to tell the story of how big an opportunity this venture presents to investors; how to be an entrepreneur – and the list goes on.

All of the above is enabled by the collective experience and connectivity of a well-developed ecosystem, with a hive-mind of knowledge that can be tapped into for the broader benefit.

Manchester’s approach to ecosystem building has gone beyond attracting investment; it’s about constructing a landscape in which innovation and collaboration is considered the norm. The city’s ability to bring together diverse stakeholders has been a key driver of its success and is a valuable factor in making this particular ecosystem so unique.

Partnerships are the backbone of any thriving ecosystem and Manchester’s foundations are no different. Just one of the ways we see these successful collaborations play out is through connecting universities and tech companies, with the relationship anchored around the sizable talent pipeline of over 19,000 STEM students across our universities.

But the relationships are more extensive than that, including providing technological and innovation support to the business community, and co-delivering real-world focussed collaborative research and product development projects.

Organisations like the Turing Innovation Catalyst play a crucial role as incubators, accelerators and connectors - linking businesses, academia and the public sector to drive the creation of startups, enable the growth of scaleups, funnel investment into research and development, and champion the inclusion of underrepresented people in the talent pipeline.

In the year since it was established, TIC has supported over 120 AI-first innovators and companies and over 900 skill-seekers from underrepresented communities to develop their AI startups, products and careers. However, it’s the collective effort of all partners that truly powers the ecosystem, creating a supportive network that fuels growth and innovation.

The impact of Manchester’s AI ecosystem extends far beyond economic growth. By proactively enabling a culture of collaboration and innovation, the city region is tackling complex challenges that no other city region in the UK is - from digital inclusion to advanced health tech and climate tech solutions.

Greater Manchester’s rise as a leader in AI is no accident. You might expect that the city where Alan Turing did some of his most important work on machine learning would be a natural home for the next wave of AI successes - but it’s taken coordinated and strategic efforts to cultivate a supportive environment in which AI innovation can thrive.

This model provides a powerful framework for other city regions aiming to drive innovation and economic growth. As Manchester continues to lead the way, it’s not just setting the pace, it’s redefining what’s possible - offering a bold and inspiring blueprint for building the ecosystems of tomorrow.

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Massive £3.75bn data centre planned in Hertfordshire to boost UK's tech infrastructure

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has praised a proposed £3.75bn investment in a massive new data centre in Hertfordshire. A planning application for what could be one of Europe's largest data centre campuses, spanning 85 acres and offering 2m square feet of floor space, has been submitted by a new company, DC01UK, as reported by City AM. The construction phase will immediately create around 500 jobs and is slated for completion by 2029, with an additional 200 permanent roles then being introduced to the local area. It is projected that DC01UK will contribute approximately £1.1bn in GVA to the UK economy annually, while indirectly supporting the creation of 13,700 new jobs across various sectors. The enormous facility will be situated east of South Mimms Services, adjacent to the A1 and M25, in the borough of Hertsmere. DC01UK asserts that the project's scale is currently "unrivalled" in the UK, with the site capable of harnessing power of 400MVA from the National Grid and located near the UK's national and international fibre optic routes. "Data centres play an essential role in British society, housing some of our most important data from vital NHS records to sensitive financial information," said Peter Kyle, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology. "This huge £3.75bn proposed investment is a vote of confidence in our plans to support the sector to thrive, ensuring everyone across society can feel the economic benefits of its growth." The global demand for data centres has surged due to the increased use of AI, cloud computing, storage and data-intensive services such as video streaming. Amazon's cloud division revealed plans on Tuesday to invest £8bn in the construction and maintenance of such facilities in the UK over the next five years. Google is already investing £790m in a separate 33-acre data centre in Hertfordshire to aid in the development of new AI models. However, some projects have encountered obstacles in the form of local planning decisions and political opposition. Plans for a significant 50-hectare data centre site on a quarry by the M25 were scrapped in November due to concerns it would spoil the view from the motorway's bridges. The government announced on Thursday that it would henceforth categorise data centres as "critical" national infrastructure, alongside major energy and water projects. "We must make the sector resilient to the challenges of today from heatwaves to cyber attacks which is why only today we have announced we will class data centres as 'Critical National Infrastructure', on par with energy supply systems," Kyle stated. A spokesperson for DC01UK said: "The ambition for this project is to build the next generation of national digital infrastructure to power the needs of tomorrow." The scheme, it was stated, would "put Hertfordshire at the forefront of one of the most technologically exciting projects in Europe and lead the world in setting the gold-standard for the next generation of high-tech infrastructure."

County Durham tech firm Kromek secures £2m contract with Ministry of Defence

Radiation detection pioneer Kromek has been awarded a £2m contract by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The NETPark based business, which specialises in the development of radiation and bio-detection technology, won the deal through a competitive tender process and will now supply nuclear radiation detectors and ancillary products in its current financial year, ending April 2025. The firm said the contract to supply detection equipment for military deployment underscores its critical role in supporting national defence initiatives. The company will deliver its handheld gamma and neutron detector, the D5 RIID, along with its new Alpha Beta probe attachment as well as other associated products. The Alpha Beta probe was unveiled in November 2023 and enhances the D5 RIID’s capability by enabling the detection of alpha and beta radiation. Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek, said: “We are delighted to have won this important contract from the MOD, a key strategic customer for Kromek. The rigorous tender process reflects the confidence in the strength of our solutions, and we are proud to provide the MOD with our latest technology, including the Alpha Beta probe, so soon after its launch. This contract further solidifies our contribution to the UK’s national defence efforts, and we look forward to deepening our partnership with the MOD.”

Cardiff fintech start up Menna boosted with £500,000 equity investment

A Cardiff fintech start-up that has developed a generative AI powered platform to help small firms make smarter financial decisions has secured a £500,000 investment to supports commercialisation plans. A syndicate of 20 business angels, led by lead investor Simon Bell, has invested £250,000 into Menna Their investment has been matched funded with a further £250,000 in equity backing from the Development Bank of Wales through its Wales Angel Co-investment Fund. Read More:Latest equity deals in Welsh business Read More:Why we need to devolve research council funding Founded in August last year by Nick Carlton and Dan Mines, Menna helps small business owners to make better financial decisions by combining generative AI with rich real-time data. Mr Carlton was previously chief product officer for Confused.com and blockchain protection venture Coincover, while Mr Mines was chief information officer for Admiral Money and chief product officer for European open banking platform Yolt. The firm’s Menna.ai platform offers real-time transaction alerts, forecasts, insights, smart recommendations savings and funding offers. It is free to use and connects with banking, e-commerce, EPOS (electronic point of sale) and accounting software accounts. The company is based at the Cardiff University Social Science Research Park (SPARK). It will use the £500,000 equity investment to accelerate the development of its product ready for market, recruiting a team of five tech specialists and preparing for a full launch in early 2025. Menna.ai will be marketed direct to customer and via partnerships with third party financial services providers throughout the UK. Co-founder Mr Carlton said: “We believe that every small business owner should have access to a finance manager, and that’s why we created Menna. There are 5.5 million small businesses in the UK, but most owners lack the skills and resources to run their businesses effectively because they don’t have formal financial training or access to advice. Mr Mines added: “We have developed a digital finance assistant for small businesses. From decisions on the affordability of recruitment to funding and capital expenditures, Menna helps small business owners make better financial decisions. “We’ve worked hard over the last year to build the proof of concept, embed the business within the local ecosystem and become investment ready. With home-grown support, this funding from our investors enables us to get Menna customer ready with further development and investment in people who want to join us on our journey as we scale-up from a Cardiff-based start-up to what we hope will be a UK success story that is rooted firmly in Wales and returning value back.” Mr Bell of fintech syndicate Rebel Syndicate is the lead investor. He said: “Menna.ai is like a finance director in your pocket, offering clear, data-driven insight to help business owners to stay on top of their finances and manage everything in one place. As a tech and data business that is proud to be Welsh and committed to remaining in Wales, it is an attractive proposition to investors who, as a syndicate, have collectively realised the extra firepower of match-funding from the Development Bank of Wales.”

Alternative telecoms provider Ogi secures £45m from the Cardiff Capital Region

Wales’ biggest alternative telecoms provider Ogi has struck a £45m funding deal with the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) to support its growth plans. It has also secured a new multi-million-pound equity injection from its majority shareholder in Infracapital. Read More:Haydale's graphene tech capturing carbon Read More : Wrexham Lager in major Australia deal Ogi said the new funding will further extend the reach of its full fibre network across the ten local authority areas that make up the CCR - Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan. The funding has come from the CCR's close to being full invested £1.2bn City Deal. The repayment term and interest rate haven’t been disclosed, but represents the biggest loan to date provided by the city region by a considerable margin. The CCR, which in the spring became a legal entity as the first joint corporate committee in Wales, is looking to create an evergreen element to its City Deal investments with capital and interest received being reinvested. As a joint corporate committee the CCR now also has the ability to borrow prudently. The CCR is also home to Ogi’s multi-million-pound high-capacity network spanning the South Wales trunk road network into England. Built to service the growing need for cloud computing, AI and data storage the new route also increases Wales’ appeal to datacentre operators, mobile carriers and hyperscalers. After securing its first round of investment from Infracapital - the infrastructure equity investment arm of M&G plc - Ogi launch in 2021 bringing full fibre connectivity, telephony, and business IT services to underserved communities across Wales. The challenger to the incumbent operators has since built a new fibre to the premise network to over 100,000 premises in South Wales, with 1 in 5 of those already signed up as a customer. Each ‘full fibre’ community served benefits from a capital injection of around £5m, with the long-term economic impact estimated to be worth almost £5 for every £1 invested. Ogi’s chief executive, Ben Allwright, said: “Right from the start, our ambition has been to become a leading Welsh telecoms company, and the last few years have certainly laid strong foundations for that goal. “With key strategic sites like Aberthaw (former power station site which CCR acquired in 2022) to the south and the heads of the valleys to the north, there’s massive potential across the capital region – and partnering with CCR at such an exciting time in their own development is the next logical step for Ogi’s growth in southeast Wales. “Together with further investment from our principal shareholder, Infracapital, this is yet another endorsement of our mission to make sure no Welsh community gets left behind. ”I’m immensely proud of the work the team at Ogi are doing across Wales, and this news – another leap forward in Ogi’s development - is testament to their commitment to making sure Wales keeps up to speed with the rest of the UK, and the world.” Chair of the CCR, Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, added: “Ogi has taken regeneration to a new level with its initial investment – connecting communities to new possibilities right across the Cardiff Capital Region and beyond. Our investment into Ogi recognises that ongoing commitment to boosting the region, and the work already being done to bring vital connectivity to some of Wales’s biggest towns and villages”. Ogi was advised on the transaction by Deloitte with CMS Law acting as legal counsel for the company and Infracapital.

Revolut's billionaire founder Nik Storonsky 'sells up to £230m' of his stake in fintech

Revolut's billionaire founder and CEO, Nik Storonsky, reportedly sold a significant portion of his stake in the fintech giant during a recent employee share sale. Storonsky's exit represented a substantial slice of the approximately $500m (£383m) secondary share sale completed last month, with media reports suggesting his sold shares amounted to between 40% and 60%, as reported by City AM This would indicate Storonsky offloaded an estimated $200m (£153m)-$300m (£230m) of his holdings in the London-headquartered banking app. Nevertheless, this transaction is reported to be just a fraction of Storonsky's total stake, which is valued at around $8bn (£6bn). Revolut has chosen not to comment on the speculation, City AM disclosed. The share sale put Revolut's valuation at a towering $45bn (£34.9bn), reinforcing its position as Europes top-valued private tech enterprise as well as one of the biggest banks in Britain. Insights suggest that thousands of the company's employees participated in the lucrative share sell-off, described by the firm last month as a move "to provide employee liquidity". Investment heavyweights such as Coatue, D1 Capital Partners, and Tiger Global were among the prominent buyers of stocks during this sale. Since it was established in the UK in 2015 as a digital payment and international money transfer facility, Revolut has seen exponential growth and diversified its offerings to include services like cryptocurrency trading and eSIM plans. In 2023, it reported a record pretax profit of £438m due to higher interest rates and nearly 12m new retail customers over the year. The company anticipates its global user base will exceed 50m customers by the end of this year. Revolut's challenge to traditional high street banks was further bolstered earlier this summer when it obtained a UK banking licence, albeit with temporary restrictions, after spending more than three years in regulatory uncertainty due to audit issues, criticism of its corporate culture, and delayed account filings. The licence permits Revolut to directly hold deposits and expand lending in its domestic market, where it claims over nine million customers. It is also likely to improve Revolut's prospects of obtaining a licence in the US.

Lab tech firm BioGrad opening Yorkshire office with £3m investment as national growth goes on

Laboratory tech firm BioGrad has opened a new lab in Yorkshire as part of a £3m investment as its national expansion continues. Liverpool-based BioGrad is opening a research and teaching site in York which it says will over the next three years “position BioGrad at the forefront of science and healthcare, regenerative medicine and clinical research”. The company hopes to announce a nationwide clinical trial led by the York team in early 2025. Since 2022 BioGrad has opened labs in Birmingham, Newcastle and London, as well as developing its purpose-built clinical research centre and HQ at Wavertree Technology Park in Liverpool. It now employs some 150 people and in June its BioGrad Education arm became the first North West company to win investment from the £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. Dr Natalie Kenny, CEO at BioGrad, said: “ Our expansion into York represents an exciting new era for BioGrad as we expand our reach across the UK. The help and support BioGrad has received from Sophie Hartley, sector development relationship manager at York and North Yorkshire CA, and Christine Hogan, inward investment manager at City of York Council, and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority – as well as the strengths of the region in terms of its world-class NHS Trust and universities – makes York our preferred choice for expanding our operations and their assistance has been vital in enabling us to bring BioGrad’s offering and research capabilities to the city. “We take immense pride in our UK-wide presence and eagerly anticipate furthering our efforts to create new jobs and opportunities across the region.” David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “It is great to see laboratory testing specialist, BioGrad, move into York with an investment of more than £3 million over the next three years. “This investment will enable BioGrad to open a new research and teaching site and create high quality, skilled jobs in a high growth sector.

Haydale in Jersey trial for its underfloor heater technology

Technology company Haydale has announced a pilot trial deploying its innovative underfloor heaters within social housing in Jersey. The Ammanford-based company, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market and a leader in advanced materials and nanotechnology innovation, is working with Jersey Energy Technologies (JET), a start-up company focused on providing energy efficiency solutions across the Channel Islands. Haydale’s underfloor heating system utilises its proprietary technology to unlock the high-level thermal conductivity properties of advanced material, graphene. Read More:Haydale's graphene tech capturing carbon Read More : Wrexham Lager in major Australia deal Data on its in-house prototype systems have shown up to 30% lower operating cost for their functionalised graphene ink underfloor heating compared to standard wired systems running off mains power. In test conditions the heaters, which can be uniformly and individually heated, have also shown improvements in flexibility, and durability – while reaching maximum temperatures quickly. This presents a potential commercial solution to meet the demand for improved energy efficiency, reducing heating costs for residents. The first real-world installation of Haydale’s product is planned to take place with JET later this year. The pilot trial will gather information over the winter period to support the efficacy and efficiency data already generated from Haydale’s in-house testing with results expected in the new year. Under the agreement, JET has agreed to pay for exclusive access to distribute the underfloor heating product within the Channel Islands on a commercial basis. If the trial is successful, it is envisaged that this environmentally friendly underfloor heating system will be rolled out in phases to selected homes and buildings. Keith Broadbent, chief executive of Haydale, said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with JET on this project which demonstrates our ability to use our plasma functionalisation technology platform to develop our own IP protected products for commercialisation, and this collaboration is a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability. “Our underfloor heating system not only provides superior comfort but also represents a potentially significant step forward in reducing environmental impact and energy costs. This innovative solution leverages advanced technology to provide consistent, comfortable warmth, looking to ensure that each home remains cozy throughout the year without the excessive energy consumption typically associated with traditional heating systems.”George Eves, Founder of JET, said: “The adoption of Haydale’s advanced underfloor heating technology aligns perfectly with our mission to provide high-quality, sustainable living solutions to the residents of the Channel Islands. We are excited to offer this cutting-edge heating solution and over time – we will look to roll the products out in the new build and retrofit projects underway with our development partner, improving the quality of life for our residents and setting a new standard for social housing.” In August Haydale announced a potential breakthrough in the rapidly evolving carbon capture technology sector.

First 14 gaming startups chosen for Sunderland esports accelerator

Four North East gaming startups are among 14 firms accepted onto a new esports accelerator programme, designed to drive forward the sector and create new jobs in Sunderland. British Esports, in partnership with Sunderland Software City (SSC), announced the first cohort of budding businesses to take part in the eight-week programme, which is supported by Sunderland City Council and will allow the startups to benefit from leading industry experts. The new programme – taking place at the National Esports Performance Campus in Sunderland – covers topics aimed at accelerating growth for esports sector businesses, including financial management, international expansion, digital marketing, protecting intellectual property and preparation for investment. The accelerator will end on November 1, when founders will pitch to potential investors for funding. The 14 firms were picked from 100 applications by a panel of tech experts including David Dunn and Hekla Goodman-Parker, both of SSC, and Dave Martin of British Esports. They assessed the viability of the idea, size of market opportunity, team expertise and product market fit. The regional companies taking part include Durham-based BSL AR Teacher, which aims to teaching British Sign Language using AR and tracking capabilities of Meta Quest 3; North Shields-based Beam XR, which aims to provide a live-streaming tool that enables XR games to be live-streamed across popular streaming providers; Reset Reload, based in Gateshead, an online platform for aspiring esport athletes; and Morpeth-based Racing Sims North East, a startup aiming to combine a passion for motorsport racing with a dedication to innovation. Other firms involved include HD Games from Bristol, ESG Gaming, Smash Mountain Studio, Verus and Convergence Live Ltd, all from London, Nexus Interactive Ltd, Immerzion Developments Ltd based in the Scottish Borders, Good Game Truro based in Cornwall and DS Performance Sports, from Derby. The list is rounded off by Gamlytics, a Singapore-founded, US-based esports analytics platform that has raised $210k in its pre-seed investment round backed by venture capital firm Satori Giants. The team hope the accelerator will provide a gateway to their ambitions of breaking into the European esports market. Hekla Goodman Parker, head of tech startups at Sunderland Software City, said: “This is an ambitious group of founders and we have the fantastic opportunity to help them scale by connecting the businesses straight into industry players, thanks to our partnership with British Esports and Sunderland City Council. This will be the first of many accelerators we’ll offer over the coming year as we focus primarily on growing the North East tech sector and bringing investment into the region.” Sunderland City Council chief executive Patrick Melia said: “Our city-wide investment in next-generation infrastructure, combined with our investment and support for this accelerator, underscores Sunderland’s growing reputation as a forward-thinking smart city. The innovative businesses taking part in this program are a testament to our technical proficiency, strong partnerships, and city-wide digital transformation. We’ll watch the progress of these businesses with interest and hope to attract some of these businesses and other similar companies to Sunderland longer-term to be part of our growing and ambitious city.”

Jaguar Land Rover to work with Devon firm on 'pioneering' electric battery recycling project

A Plymouth technology firm is working with luxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) on a major clean energy project. Under the scheme, Devon-based Altilium will recycle old electric vehicle batteries, extracting materials such as lithium and nickel, at its pilot facility in Tavistock. The materials will then be used to be produce new battery cells at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) - the UK’s national battery manufacturing scale-up facility. JLR will conduct comprehensive validation studies on the batteries, Altilium said. Dr Christian Marston, Altilium's chief operating office, said: “We are proud to lead this pioneering project with JLR that brings us one step closer to a circular economy for battery materials in the UK. "By demonstrating that EV battery cells made from recovered materials can meet the rigorous standards of the automotive industry, we’re not only reducing the environmental impact of battery production but also supporting the UK’s efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient EV supply chain. "This project is a vital milestone in our mission to decarbonize the battery value chain and support automotive OEMs in achieving their regulatory and sustainability goals.” In May, Altilium secured hundreds of thousands of pounds from the government. The firm received grant funding of £639,797 from Innovate UK’s Faraday Battery Challenge - a scheme to invest in research and innovation projects, and facilities, to drive the growth of battery businesses in the UK. Sean Gilgunn, managing director of UKBIC, added: “We’re delighted to be part of this innovative project which will help the industry move towards an even cleaner future."

Cardiff medtech firm Alesi Surgical boosted with £5m equity round

Cardiff-based medtech company Alesi Surgical, which has developed technology to manage smoke created by surgical tools in operating theatres, has raised £5m to support its global growth plans. The funding round into the Cardiff University spinout company was led by Mercia Ventures and including existing investors IP Group and Panakès Partners. It brings the total raised by the company to date to over £21m and comes Alesi has secured regulator clearance in the US from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for IonPencil - the first surgical tool to incorporate its technology for use in routine surgery and which represents approximately 80% of all surgical procedures. Read More:Creo Medical in line for £25m cash boost for sale of majority stake in its European business Read More: Latest equity deals in Welsh business The hazards of smoke generated by electronic surgical tools are increasingly being recognised. Smoke reduces visibility and fogs cameras during keyhole surgery, interrupting workflow. It also creates health risks for theatre staff due to the presence of toxins and viruses in human tissue. Legislation has already been passed in 18 US states requiring a smoke management policy in all surgical procedures, with more expected to follow. Alesi’s system uses electrical filtration to remove surgical smoke from the atmosphere. Its first-generation ultravision system was designed for laparoscopic surgery and has been used in over 40,000 procedures. Independent research has shown that it is 23 times better than alternative solutions at minimising smoke release during laparoscopies and that it captures and reduces the infectivity of viruses in the smoke. The latest version, ultravision2, which is FDA approved, is a platform technology that can be integrated into surgical tools and existing theatre equipment. Its first integrated tool, for use in laparoscopic surgery, already has FDA approval and the launch of IonPencil for routine surgery means it now offers smoke management solutions for all surgical procedures that create smoke. There are over 40 million such procedures performed in the USA, Europe, and Japan every year. Alesi is based at the Cardiff Medicentre and currently employs a team of 15. The latest funding will enable it to drive sales in the US market and to seek regulatory approvals for its products in Europe and Japan. Its chief executive Dominic Griffiths said: “We have been overwhelmed with the positive feedback we received from surgeons during the development of the IonPencil. As they have been reluctant to adopt the current systems, we believe our device will greatly improve compliance with new legislation. We are also pleased to welcome Mercia Ventures as a new investor alongside our existing investors and are eager to put this latest capital to good use to fuel our future growth.”