Climate Intelligence Startup Sightline Secures $5.5M Seed Round

London-based climate market intelligence platform Sightline has raised $5.5 million (£4.4m) in seed funding to accelerate its expansion.

Co-founded by Kim Zou (CEO) and Mark Taylor (CPO), Sightline takes a "climate-first" approach, helping investors, corporations, and governments navigate the evolving climate economy. The platform provides insights into emerging climate tech solutions and market trends, aiming to accelerate the adoption of climate technology through clear, actionable market intelligence.

Already serving over 70 international clients, including HSBC, Southern Company, BHP, and the US Department of Energy, Sightline is positioned to become a key player in the climate tech landscape.

The funding round, co-led by Molten Ventures, will support the company’s efforts to enhance research capabilities, expand sector coverage, and further develop its AI-powered predictive insights—helping financial institutions and corporations make more informed climate-related investment decisions.

 “A competitive transition hinges on matching the right strategies and capital with the right solutions at the right time. As solutions mature, stakeholders need clarity, precision, and tools to understand, monitor, predict, and act effectively. We’re developing the deeper analytics and tools to power decision-making and capital allocation in the transition economy.” - Kim Zou

Molten Ventures’ Head of Climate, George Chalmers, highlighted Sightline’s role in addressing the data gaps in the climate transition, positioning the company as a key player in the evolving climate economy.

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Lancaster Startup Ecosystem Gets Angel Investment Boost

Rory Southworth, an Early-Stage Investment Connector, is launching a new angel investor group aimed at supporting startups in Lancaster. Initially focusing on Lancashire-based businesses, the group is seeking investment opportunities between £50k and £350k. Currently, the network consists of 18 angel investors with ties to the North West and is continuing to grow. The initiative aims to strengthen the region’s startup ecosystem by connecting local entrepreneurs with early-stage funding.

"Lancashire has a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, but access to early-stage funding has often been a challenge," said Rory Southworth. "By creating this group, we’re not only providing startups with the investment they need to grow, but we’re also building a network of experienced angels who have a genuine connection to the region. Our goal is to support the next wave of innovative businesses and help put Lancashire on the map as a hub for high-growth startups."

Entrepreneurs and investors interested in getting involved can reach out to Rory Southworth directly via LinkedIn or email for more information.

Workspace 365 Announces Strategic Partnership with Aries Global

Workspace 365, a digital workspace software provider, has entered a strategic partnership with Aries Global, a federation of founder-led software companies, as part of its plans for international expansion. Founded in the Netherlands in 2010, with its UK headquarters in Manchester, Workspace 365 serves over 2,300 organisations by simplifying digital environments to enhance employee focus.

Aries Global, co-founded by technology investor Michael Mitterlehner and former Snowflake executive Thibaut Ceyrolle, focuses on scaling technology companies within the $50 billion+ cloud marketplace. As part of the deal, Aries Global has acquired shares previously held by Value Creation Capital and Oost NL, leaving Workspace 365 with three primary shareholders: co-founders Erik Nicolai and Hans de Graaf, alongside Aries Global.

The partnership aligns Workspace 365 with Aries' portfolio of software companies in vertical business applications, modern work, and data & AI sectors. It is expected to support Workspace 365’s expansion plans while leveraging Aries’ central growth and AI infrastructure.

Workspace 365’s leadership team will remain in place, with co-founders Nicolai and de Graaf continuing in their roles. They have outlined ambitions to enhance the company’s global presence and further develop its product roadmap, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Commenting on the partnership, CEO Erik Nicolai highlighted growing global demand for intuitive digital workplaces, stating that the collaboration with Aries would help accelerate Workspace 365’s international growth and product innovation. Co-founder Hans de Graaf echoed this sentiment, emphasising Aries’ expertise in supporting founder-led software firms. Meanwhile, Aries Global’s Ceyrolle described Workspace 365’s roadmap as well-aligned with Aries’ goals, expressing confidence in the company’s future trajectory within the evolving digital workplace market.

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Wealth Management Platform Prosper Raises £4M to Revolutionise Industry

Prosper, a wealth management platform co-founded by Ricky Knox and Nick Perrett, has raised £4M in a recent funding round. The platform, which currently manages over £200 million in assets, aims to modernize wealth management by combining cutting-edge technology with expert financial insights.

The funds will help scale its customer base, expand into private market investments, and further develop its AI-powered product. Prosper’s AI-driven approach aims to improve customer experience and diversify investment strategies, providing higher potential returns.

The round was led by Fuel Ventures with a £2M investment, alongside participation from existing shareholders. Prosper’s initial angel round saw backing from notable investors including Monzo and Capital One founders, Andreessen Horowitz (A16Z), Connect Ventures, MMC Ventures, and Portfolio Ventures.

CEO and Co-Founder Nick Perrett said: “Wealth management has been stuck in the past with high fees and outdated systems. Prosper is here to change that and bring wealth management into the 21st century.”

Mark Pearson, Founder of Fuel Ventures, highlighted Prosper’s AI-driven, scalable approach as a solution to a significant market need.

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Smartify Secures £1.5M to Expand Digital Art Recognition Platform

Smartify, the London-based app often described as a “Shazam for art,” has raised £1.5 million in a funding round to further its mission of enhancing visitor experiences at museums and cultural institutions through digital solutions.

Founded in 2015, Smartify provides audio and visual guides in partnership with over 700 institutions globally, including the National Gallery, the Acropolis Museum, and the Tower of London. The company reported a 68% year-on-year increase in app usage, with more than two million active users engaging with over 14.3 million audio tour tracks and 1.7 million objects.

The funding round was led by Metavallon VC, with participation from Pembroke VCT and advisory support from Mountside Ventures. Metavallon VC partner George Karantonis expressed confidence in Smartify’s continued international expansion, envisioning the app as a go-to platform for travelers seeking cultural content.

Smartify CEO Thanos Kokkiniotis described the investment as a “significant vote of confidence” following a strong year of growth. The new funding will support further partnerships, technological advancements, and efforts to make arts and culture more accessible to a global audience.

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Yasmeen Olafsson Joins MANUAL as VP of People to Drive Healthcare Innovation

Yasmeen Olafsson has announced she will be joining MANUAL as Vice President of People, as the company continues its mission to empower individuals to take control of their health and normalize conversations surrounding it.

MANUAL, co-founded by CEO George Pallis, is transforming healthcare delivery through its digital clinic, focusing on life-impeding conditions such as hormonal imbalance, obesity, and hair loss. With over $30 million in funding from top investors, the company has grown steadily, now serving more than 500,000 patients across the UK and Brazil.

The company's unique approach centralises diagnosis, custom medications, specialist doctor services, and behavioural change management in one integrated platform. This comprehensive treatment journey aims to deliver superior clinical outcomes, with over 90% of patients reporting improvements in their Quality of Life (QoL) within six months.

Olafsson expressed her enthusiasm for joining MANUAL, looking forward to building on the company’s success and continuing to support its growth and innovation in healthcare.

DeepSeek: The Chinese AI App Disrupting the Tech Industry

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI model, has skyrocketed to the top of the Apple Store downloads since its release on January 20. Built at a fraction of the cost of models like OpenAI’s, DeepSeek has stunned investors and sparked a market shakeup, causing Nvidia’s stock to lose nearly $600 billion in value.

Founded in December 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, DeepSeek offers a free AI-powered chatbot similar to ChatGPT but is optimised for lower cost by using fewer advanced chips. Despite these cost-saving measures, it performs comparably to high-end models in tasks like coding and mathematics.

The app’s rapid success raises questions about the future of AI development, particularly for US tech companies, as DeepSeek’s model challenges the belief that AI innovation requires massive budgets. Liang, also CEO of the High-Flyer hedge fund, has framed DeepSeek as a sign that China can be an AI innovator, not just a follower.

The app’s launch, however, hasn’t been without controversy. DeepSeek, like many Chinese AI models, avoids politically sensitive topics and has faced scrutiny for its censorship.

While DeepSeek’s success is a boost for China’s tech ambitions, it also sent shockwaves through global markets, highlighting the growing potential of cheaper, more efficient AI solutions.

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