Symphony Commerce Secures £2M Investment and Rebrands from Shopblocks

Stockport-based digital commerce company Shopblocks has secured a £2 million investment as it rebrands to Symphony Commerce, positioning itself to expand within the global B2B enterprise market. The funding comes from NPIF II – Mercia Equity Finance, managed by Mercia Ventures as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), alongside Mercia’s EIS funds, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), and private investors.

The rebrand to Symphony Commerce coincides with the launch of new platform features designed to support wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers in creating tailored e-commerce sites, customer portals, and product catalogues. The platform addresses the complexities of B2B operations, including customer-specific pricing strategies, personalised experiences, and deep ERP, finance, and marketing software integrations.

Founded in 2015, Symphony Commerce serves over 2,000 customers, including Toshiba, Giacom, Daisy Telecom, and Tower Housewares. Over the past 18 months, the company has nearly doubled its annual recurring revenue (ARR) to £1.4M, with ambitions to triple that figure within three years. The latest investment round, bringing total funding to £6 million, will support further global expansion and feature enhancements.

Kevin Jones, Founder & CTO, highlighted the company’s growth ambitions:

"With Symphony Commerce, we’re enabling our clients to move faster and stay ahead in their industries. This investment allows us to scale, expand our team, and enhance our customer experience."

Backing the investment, Robert Hornby of Mercia Ventures emphasised Symphony’s role in solving B2B e-commerce challenges, noting its potential to become a market leader.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, a £660 million initiative, aims to fuel economic growth across the North of England by providing finance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

Learn more...

Neu Health Secures £1.6M Seed Investment from Cedars-Sinai and Oxford Science Enterprises

London-based HealthTech startup Neu Health, a spinout from the University of Oxford, has raised £1.6 million in funding from Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) and Cedars-Sinai Intellectual Property Company. The investment marks a key step in the company’s expansion beyond the UK, with plans to enter the US market.

Founded in 2022 by Caroline Cake and Dr Kinan Muhammed, Neu Health has developed a smartphone-based neurology care platform designed to improve outcomes for patients with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. By combining AI-driven data analytics with real-world patient interactions, the platform offers clinicians objective, trackable metrics on motor and non-motor symptoms, cognitive function, and mental health indicators.

The funding follows Neu Health’s participation in Cedars-Sinai’s 10th Accelerator program, which connected the company with one of the leading healthcare institutions in the US. As part of its next phase, Neu Health will pilot its platform at Cedars-Sinai, with an initial 150 patients taking part in a six-month trial—providing crucial clinical insights as it refines its approach for the US market.

Commenting on the investment, Caroline Cake, CEO of Neu Health, said:

“Our goal is to change what’s possible in neurology care. Our partnership with Cedars-Sinai and OSE shows the growing global commitment to improving care for Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Together, we’re building a future where technology helps patients, caregivers, and doctors manage these challenging conditions.”

This investment is the first under a new partnership between OSE and Cedars-Sinai Intellectual Property Company, aimed at co-investing in Oxford-founded health-tech startups and accelerating their US market entry. Industry leaders have highlighted the strategic importance of this collaboration in bringing cutting-edge research to the healthcare sector at scale.

With backing from two major players in science and healthcare innovation, Neu Health is positioning itself as a key contender in the future of digital neurology care.

Learn more...

Think360 Gains Investment to Propel AI Growth and Expansion

Think360, a software firm based in Hull, has secured £100,000 in funding from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance to support its rapid growth and meet the increasing demand for its services. The company, which recently secured over £1 million in new contracts, is also eyeing a potential £4 million worth of deals. This new investment will help the company scale operations and add to its growing team.

The funding will be used to support the company's expansion, with three new hires planned to help manage the growing workload.

Since its founding in 2018 by Martin Lauer, Think360 has shifted from bespoke software solutions to developing its own AI-powered products for industries such as logistics, manufacturing, and homecare. Now, with a team of six full-time employees and up to 22 independent contractors, Think360 serves clients including RMS Ports, Immingham Transport, and Orean Personal Care.

Lauer remarked on the company’s progress, saying:

“Our AI products have gained significant traction across key sectors, and our success in securing high-profile clients has laid the foundation for even more growth. This funding enables us to meet the demand for our solutions and take on new projects with confidence.”

Rebecca Pickering, investment manager at Mercia Debt, emphasised Think360’s innovative approach:

“AI is revolutionising sectors like logistics and healthcare, and Think360 is positioned to lead these changes. We’re excited to support their growth as they continue to develop cutting-edge solutions that drive automation and efficiency.”

The investment comes from the £660 million Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, aimed at supporting small businesses across the North of England.

With plans for continued growth and a robust pipeline of new business, Think360 is poised to expand its influence and deliver more cutting-edge AI solutions.

Learn more...

Manchester’s AI Accelerator Demo Day Spotlights Emerging Startups and Innovation

The Capital Enterprise AI Startup Accelerator Demo Day is taking place today in Manchester, marking the culmination of the second accelerator cohort. Organised by Edward Dawson, Jasmin Kailath, and Harpreet Kaur, the sold-out event provides a platform for emerging AI startups to present their businesses, highlighting the skills and insights gained throughout the programme’s workshops and mentorship sessions.

One of the such person presenting is Emma-Louise Fusari, founder of In-House Health Limited, a company dedicated to workplace health and wellbeing. As a solo female founder, Fusari has spoken about the challenges of entrepreneurship and the personal growth she has experienced along the way. 

She is joined by a lineup of founders showcasing their ventures, including:

🔹 Dr. Giovannie Jean-Louis – PROBr™
🔹 Vladimir Mulhem – Voxelo.ai
🔹 Rob March – gigmate
🔹 Thomas Fitzsimmons – My Practice Manager
🔹 Felix Robinson – Pet Trust UK
🔹 James Chapman – Decently
🔹 Drey K. K. – Creditflow
🔹 Dr. Fin Williams – MindPsy
🔹 Jason Crispin – AUDITSU
🔹 Lucy Walton – Connected Interactive
🔹 Mike Alcock & Simon Grice – Joggle AI
🔹 Zoe Wright – Realbirth
🔹 Shain Khoja – Thriving.ai
🔹 Peter McCleery – GetSociable
🔹 Manjit Mooker – Mipatient
🔹 Joe Darwen – CircKit
🔹 Alexandra Morris – Habeo
🔹 Dan Rosenberg – LinkyThinks

As the accelerator participants deliver their live business pitches, the event offers a unique opportunity for founders to connect with investors, industry leaders, and potential partners. With AI innovation at the forefront, today’s AI Accelerator Showcase reinforces Manchester’s growing reputation as a hub for cutting-edge start-ups.

SaaS Companies: Secure the Talent You Need to Scale with MRJ Recruitment

In the fast-paced world of SaaS, your tech team is your competitive edge. Without the right people, growth can stall. That’s where MRJ Recruitment becomes your trusted partner.

From skilled JavaScript developers to seasoned .NET engineers, we specialise in connecting SaaS companies with top talent that drives innovation and success.

Why SaaS Leaders Choose MRJ Recruitment:• Access to highly skilled developers and engineers at all levels • Deep expertise in SaaS-specific recruitment strategies • Tailored solutions that align with your company culture and goals

🌐 Start building your future with MRJ Recruitment today:👉 https://www.mrjrecruitment.com/about-us/