Investment in deep tech companies continues to show strength as the pandemic demonstrates the important role science and technology companies play in developing solutions to global challenges.
In the first half of 2021 Science Creates members collectively raised investments totalling over £14.4 million.
A thriving ecosystem
Dr Ashley Brewer – Centre Director Science Creates Incubators said:
“The development of science and technology doesn’t stop during a global crisis, which has in fact motivated us further. It’s inspiring to see our members not just survive but to continue to grow, develop and thrive.”
Major investments in big ideas
Here’s a rundown of investments raised by Science Creates members in the first six months of 2021:
Anaphite: £1.2m
The funding will enable them to further develop their inexpensive and scalable process to incorporate graphene to battery materials improving their performance.
More information: https://www.businessleader.co.uk/bristol-based-anaphite-secures-1-2m-funding/117384/
Argonaute RNA: £1.4m
Argonaute RNA have raised funding from a range of sources, to advance their safe and reliable methods of temporarily silencing target genes in different tissue cells.
More information: https://www.businessleader.co.uk/bristol-based-argonaute-rna-secures-1-4m-funding/120718/
Carbometrics: £2.1m
Science Creates Ventures made the second investment from its EIS fund 1 into Carbometrics, leading a £2.1m round with a syndicate of investors.
More information: https://sciencecreates.co.uk/news/science-creates-ventures-announces-second-investment-from-its-eis-fund-1/
Cytoseek: £3.5m
University of Bristol spin-out CytoSeek raised a £3.5 million seed round to develop new cell therapies to treat solid tumours in cancer patients in Science Creates Ventures first investment.
More information: https://sciencecreates.co.uk/news/cytoseek-raises-3-5m-led-by-science-creates-ventures-to-develop-cell-therapies-for-solid-cancers/
KETS Quantum Security: £3.1m
The funding will allow KETS Quantum Security to bring to market hardware to protect data from a new generation of cyberattacks that could use quantum computers to break through all existing encryption protections.
More information: https://kets-quantum.com/2021/06/08/quantum-security-start-up-raises-3-1-million-in-investment/#
QLM: £3.1m
QLM, have successfully secured seed funding that will enable them to further develop their technology that detects emissions of methane and other key greenhouse gases.
More information: https://sciencecreates.co.uk/news/qlm-raise-3-1-million-to-target-net-zero-emissions/
The smartest companies continue to grow in Bristol
Bristol continues to grow as a centre for deep tech companies and to attract significant venture capital investment. In 2020 Bristol ranked the third highest city in the UK for VC investment, valuing over $400m, much of that pouring into deep tech companies.
As TechCrunch Editor-at-Large Mike Butcher pointed out on Twitter:
There is more VC money going into Bristol, UK, than there is into Tallin, Barcelona, Oslo, and Madrid (according to @TechNation / @dealroomco). Whoa! https://t.co/iYDPQmj61s pic.twitter.com/W7tnCRe2Sk
— Mike Butcher (@mikebutcher) June 16, 2021
He’s also put together a roundup of Bristol entrepreneurs’ thoughts on the city’s future, where local founders highlighted deep tech as a key growth area for the city.
We look forward to seeing what the rest of the year brings for investment in deep tech.
We may use cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, and other tracking technologies when you visit our website, please read out privacy policy for more information.
Science Creates St Philips, Albert Road, Bristol, BS2 0XJ
Science Creates Old Market, Midland Road, Bristol, BS2 0NS
Science Creates Ventures LLP “trading as SCVC” (FRN: 933134) is an Appointed Representative of Kin Capital Partners LLP “KCP”, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 656789).