Firms seek £200m at Bristol investor showcase

Forty ambitious businesses from the South West and Wales were today going head-to-head in Bristol, seeking £200 million in investment at a flagship event hosted by the British Business Bank.

The Investor Roadshow at City Hall featured businesses presenting directly to a panel of leading investors, venture capital firms and industry heavyweights with the power to back their growth plans.

From cutting-edge life sciences and clean energy pioneers to fast-scaling digital, creative industries and fintech businesses, the line-up reflected the breadth and strength of commercial potential in the South West and beyond.

Health innovators and advanced manufacturers were also among those taking the stage, each competing for significant backing to accelerate expansion, create jobs and take their business to the next level.

The event, supported by the West of England Combined Authority and Innovate UK, supports the Bank’s strategic objective to boost regional investment and build a stronger UK venture capital ecosystem outside London and the South East.

The Investor Roadshow complements the Bank’s new £400m Investor Pathways Capital initiative. This is to support talented, early-stage investors from a wide range of backgrounds to launch their first venture capital funds and build investment track records. This includes underrepresented groups, with the initiative targeting at least 50% of all investment to female fund managers, as well as supporting the Bank’s commitment in developing and supporting regional science and innovation clusters and new regional angel networks.

It also supports the Bank’s existing £200m South West Investment Fund, which has driven more than £120m into new and growing businesses in the region since 2023 through direct and private sector co-investment, according to latest figures.

Louis Taylor, Chief Executive of the British Business Bank, said:

“The Investor Roadshow is about fuelling growth and strengthening the UK’s investment ecosystem, as part of our five‑year strategic plan to transform how smaller businesses are financed and unlock economic potential across the UK. As the government’s economic development bank, we play a vital convening role - opening doors to opportunities that investors might not otherwise see - and it’s fantastic to bring together so many ambitious businesses with around 180 investors.

“Through our Investor Pathways Capital initiative, we will back more funds focused on UK start-ups and early‑stage firms, ensuring that investors are connected to the next generation of high‑growth opportunities. Venture capital is crucial to driving innovation and scaling transformative businesses, and we are committed to increasing investment in female‑led funds to tackle the persistent funding gap facing female‑founded companies”

Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair of the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, said:

“Innovate UK’s mission is to help high-potential businesses to grow and scale. We work in partnership with the British Business Bank to drive growth and create the jobs and industries of tomorrow. Cutting-edge companies throughout the south west can play a vital role and we look forward to seeing the very best at this investor showcase.” 

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“The West of England is bursting with ambition, talent and ideas, and this showcase is a brilliant opportunity to put the country’s fastest growing regional economy on display. Bringing 40 high-growth businesses together with around 180 investors here in Bristol sends another strong signal that our region is open for business.

“From clean energy and advanced manufacturing, to creative industries and digital and tech, we are building on our reputation as the best place to invest. Guided by our ten-year Growth Strategy, we’re backing innovation and working with partners like the British Business Bank and Innovate UK to unlock investment that helps more businesses start, grow and stay here in the West.”

Among the businesses hoping to attract investment at the roadshow event was Bristol-based Milbotix which has developed AI-enabled ‘SmartSocks’ that can track distress and help prevent falls in people living with dementia. The business has already raised significant funding from Innovate UK and the British Design Fund (which is supported by the Regional Angels Programme).

Founder and CEO Dr Zeke Steer said:

“Opportunities like the Investor Roadshow are invaluable. Bringing together such a concentrated group of active investors in one room gives us a rare platform to showcase the impact of our technology and our vision for scaling it across the UK and beyond.

“Access to the right capital at the right time is critical for health innovation. Events like this not only open doors to investment, but also to strategic partnerships and expertise that can help accelerate growth, strengthen our proposition and ultimately improve outcomes for people living with dementia and those who care for them.”