Northern Gritstone, the investment company focused on science and technology businesses in the North of England and chaired by Lord Jim O’Neill, has announced a combined £4 million seed round investment into Exciting Instruments with co-investors Empirical Ventures, who led on scientific due diligence, NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance (managed by Praetura Ventures as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II) and serial entrepreneurs Stan Boland and Jonathan Millner.
Startup founders often make high-stakes decisions based on instinct and experience, and these qualities can be the difference between success and a missed opportunity. However, when business plans are developed in isolation, they risk being too narrow, with unchecked forecasts and untested strategies.
Celebratix, a Dutch blockchain ticketing startup backed by Solana, has secured €1.1 million in investments from numerous Dutch serial entrepreneurs, the Swedish VC uBIT, and the UK business angel Justin Rees. The funds will be used to expand internationally. “We are beyond excited to set a new standard of blockchain based ticketing,” says Frank Roskam, Founder and CEO of Celebratix.
European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are operating through turbulent times. Rising raw material costs, labour shortages, and increased competition are pushing some of them to their limits. At the same time, global instability has disrupted supply chains, jeopardising profit margins and the ability of many SMEs to meet market demands.
The European unicorn landscape, home to companies that are valued at €1 billion or more, has undergone rapid expansion over the past five years, and is now worth €447 billion. However, valuations of many of these companies, especially those that happened in 2021 and 2022, appear overdue for reassessment.
Corporate leaders are among the most accomplished professionals in their industries, having built their careers through strategic decisions, leadership, and determination. Yet, despite their achievements, many are increasingly drawn to entrepreneurship – a realm where they can channel their expertise into building something of their own.
London Lab Live 2025 is set to debut on 14th –15th May 2025 at ExCeL London, bringing together professionals from across the lab sector to inspire collaboration and innovation. Representing industries such as chemical and material science, FMCG, food and beverage, agriculture, pharma, biotech, medical, real estate, academia, and beyond, the event promises to be the UK’s most dynamic gathering for the lab community.
Eleven of the UK’s quantum pioneers met technology giants and venture capitalists from the Asia Pacific region during two days of business matchmaking meetings alongside the recent UK National Quantum Technology Showcase event. Several of the companies expect to progress commercial discussions as a result.
Tide, the business financial platform in the UK, has launched an automated carbon calculator developed in partnership with carbon measurement pioneer Connect Earth. The new tool will allow Tide’s 650,000 UK members (customers) to view an estimated and categorised understanding of their carbon emissions.










