Venture Forward

2025 Cohort

Say hello to the cohort of the Venture Forward Accelerator. Find out the amazing companies that made this cohort an absolute success.

Interesting stats about Venture Forward Programme

Our Venture Forward Programme is designed to support 21 founders in the West Midlands, helping them refine their fundraising strategy, strengthen their pitch, and access the right investors to successfully raise and scale their ventures.
227+
Applications received
71%
Minority-led businesses
30%
Have raised funds from Angels or VCs
17
Different industries
Designer Kids Club
Designer Kids Club
PH247
PH247
&Facts
&Facts
Semtronics Limited
Semtronics Limited
Learnmix
Learnmix
Kasa Solutions
Kasa Solutions
Borro
Borro
Essereale
Essereale
The Cude
The Cude
Agreka Builds
Agreka Builds
Todelli
Todelli
Blute
Blute
State of Rum
State of Rum
All Inclusives
All Inclusives
Innovative Hydrogel
Innovative Hydrogel
CyberMATI
CyberMATI
My Phlexit
My Phlexit
Recycled Learning
Recycled Learning
Cognitive Videos
Cognitive Videos
Threasury
Threasury
Casey Legal
Casey Legal

Designer Kids Club

Ronika Pandya, Founder & CEO of Designer Kids Club (DKC), is reshaping the future of fashion by placing children and families at the heart of a circular economy. Under her leadership, DKC is making circularity the first choice for families, the standard for brands, and a solution for the planet. The company builds the infrastructure that enables circular fashion to be scalable, profitable, and sustainable, empowering families to make conscious choices while supporting brands in adopting planet-positive practices. With a vision rooted in innovation and responsibility, Ronika is driving meaningful change across the fashion industry.
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PH247

Louchavan Lemard, Co-founder of PH247, is driving a mission to restore trust and integrity in the plumbing and heating industry. Inspired by his own childhood experience when a rogue plumber left his family homeless, he founded PH247 to bring truth and simplicity to a sector in need of reform. The 24-hour plumbing and heating company is not only raising industry standards but also addressing the UK’s skills shortage by creating career opportunities for disadvantaged young people. Through PH247, Louchavan is building more than a business—he is leading a movement that blends social impact with commercial success.
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&Facts

Sohaib Ahmed, Founder of &facts, is redefining how brands access and use consumer insights. &facts is a next-generation market research platform that connects to billions of real-time consumer signals, giving companies the fastest and most accurate way to validate ideas, identify new product opportunities, and conduct market and product research. By streamlining the research process with data-driven precision, Sohaib is helping brands make smarter, faster decisions that drive growth. Under his leadership, &facts is shaping the future of market research with a platform designed for speed, accuracy, and impact.
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Semtronics Limited

Arunava Mitra, Director of Semtronics Limited, is leading innovation in power electronics for electric vehicles (EVs) and AI computing applications. Founded in 2015, Semtronics began as a design and consultancy provider across motorsports, automotive, defence, and industrial sectors, before strategically pivoting toward proprietary product development in high-growth markets. Today, the company develops advanced solutions including on-board and off-board EV chargers, telecom power supplies, and high-power converters for AI platforms. With flagship innovations such as the Bi-Directional On-Board V2X Charger, Arunava is positioning Semtronics at the forefront of next-generation EV and AI power solutions with global market potential.
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Learnmix

Dan Hopper, Founder of Learnmix, is transforming the way teachers create, share, and monetise learning resources. With over 15 years of experience in resource design, he has collaborated with schools worldwide to develop engaging, curriculum-aligned materials that improve student outcomes. A professional designer and entrepreneur, Dan previously founded Doodle.ac, supporting thousands of educators with innovative digital tools. Drawing on his working-class roots in North East England, he is deeply committed to making education more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable—empowering teachers to save time, generate income, and provide students with resources that reflect their communities.
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Kasa Solutions

Katie Johnson, Founder of KASA Tech, is revolutionising housing solutions for keyworkers through innovative PropTech. With over 13 years of experience in NHS recruitment and resourcing, she has seen first-hand the challenges keyworkers face in finding affordable and accessible accommodation near their workplaces. This inspired her to launch KASA Tech, a platform that leverages AI and data-driven insights to connect keyworkers with tailored housing solutions—removing critical barriers to workforce stability and wellbeing. An alumna of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and NatWest Accelerator, Katie combines social impact, innovation, and business strategy to lead with purpose.
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Borro

Sarah Green, Founder of Borro, is tackling the challenge of fast-growing wardrobes for babies and children with a sustainable rental solution. As a mother of two, she experienced firsthand the frustration of unaffordable, inconvenient, and unsustainable options, with millions of outgrown clothes ending up in landfill each year. Borro provides working parents with a flexible clothing rental service that is cost-effective, convenient, and planet-friendly. By shifting the model from ownership to access, Sarah is reducing waste, preventing overconsumption, and creating a smarter way for families to dress their children while protecting the environment.
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Essereale

Kevin Easom, Co-founder of EsseReale, is bringing a new era of personal transport to market with the Yo-Go. Founded in 2024, the company was created to build on the strong public response to its Mk1 prototype. With over 20 years of combined experience in assistive technology and the race and freestyle bike industry, the founders have developed a unique form factor that combines safety, agility, and innovation. Supported by five UKRI grants for R&D and patenting, EsseReale is advancing a pedestrian-safe, software-customisable vehicle designed to transform mobility, reduce traffic fatalities, and inspire a new user community.
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The Cude

James Alabi, Co-founder and CEO of CUDE Labs, is redefining software protection for the digital era. Based in Birmingham, CUDE delivers a privacy-first, AI-augmented platform that secures intellectual property, sensitive code, and business data across distributed teams and cloud-native environments. Its unique zero-visibility architecture ensures maximum privacy and compliance, even preventing the platform itself from accessing client assets. Recognised by initiatives such as Tech Nation and the LASR AI Security Opportunity, CUDE partners with innovators, enterprises, and developer communities to advance secure, scalable collaboration. Under James’s leadership, the company is setting new standards for trustworthy digital transformation.
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Agreka Build

My Linh Nguyen, Co-founder and COO of Agreka Build, is pioneering net-zero construction through material innovation. The UK-based company works with farmers to transform agricultural waste into high-performance building materials, reducing environmental impact and supporting rural economies. Its flagship product, WHEATEX® Thermal & Acoustic Insulation Fibreboard, is a regenerative alternative to synthetic insulation—fully recyclable, compostable, and designed for superior fire, mould, thermal, and acoustic performance. By advancing sustainable alternatives that improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality, My Linh is helping drive the transition to circular, low-carbon construction and positioning Agreka Build at the forefront of regenerative building solutions.
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Agreka Builds

My Linh Nguyen, Co-founder and COO of Agreka Builds, is pioneering net-zero construction through material innovation. The UK-based company works with farmers to transform agricultural waste into high-performance building materials, reducing environmental impact and supporting rural economies. Its flagship product, WHEATEX® Thermal & Acoustic Insulation Fibreboard, is a regenerative alternative to synthetic insulation—fully recyclable, compostable, and designed for superior fire, mould, thermal, and acoustic performance. By advancing sustainable alternatives that improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality, My Linh is helping drive the transition to circular, low-carbon construction and positioning Agreka Builds at the forefront of regenerative building solutions.
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Todelli

Hara Mihailidou, Founder and CEO of Todelli, is leading a new era in sustainable food and drink. Todelli is more than a marketplace—it is a platform built on provenance, transparency, and responsible shopping practices that benefit both consumers and producers. Showcasing over 350 independent British food and drink brands, Todelli champions products made with local, organic, and biodynamic ingredients, sustainable packaging, and low-carbon delivery options. From non-alcoholic drinks and vegan cheeses to healthy snacks and fermented foods, Hara is curating a community of mindful shoppers and makers committed to quality, sustainability, and a healthier future for all.
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Blute

Aira Johnson, Founder of Blute, is addressing the global healthcare talent drain by transforming how students are supported during training. Inspired by her own experiences, she created a platform that enhances student wellbeing and retention, directly tackling the challenges of clinical placements. Blute enables students to confidentially share data, which is converted into actionable insights for universities and NHS trusts. This allows educators to deliver tailored, timely support. By fostering resilience and increasing qualification rates, Aira is strengthening the future healthcare workforce and helping safeguard the quality, safety, and speed of patient care.
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State of Rum

Jaspreet Ward, Founder of State of Rum Ltd, is redefining the flavoured rum category with bold, small-batch spirits. Established in 2023, the brand blends heritage, grit, and innovation to create distinctive dessert-inspired rums, including the award-winning Chai Rum, Banana Cake, and Salted Caramel Apple. Rooted in a cherished family recipe, the Chai Rum reflects Jaspreet’s British South Asian heritage, bringing authenticity and diversity to a traditionally male-dominated sector. With sustainability embedded through eco-conscious packaging and responsible sourcing, State of Rum has quickly built brand recognition and community. Jaspreet now aims to scale the business as a leader in premium flavoured rum.
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All Inclusives

Anthony Williams, Founder and CEO of The All Inclusives, is building the UK’s first Caribbean-inspired all-inclusive events and hospitality brand. A nurse and creative entrepreneur, he launched the company to unite people through culture, community, and unforgettable experiences. From sold-out boat parties and immersive bus tours to vibrant brunches, The All Inclusives brings Caribbean energy to life with live DJs, authentic food, tropical cocktails, and bold themes. Rooted in inclusivity, the brand celebrates Black culture while welcoming people from all backgrounds. With its signature AI Punch and plans for a Caribbean sports bar and restaurant, Anthony is creating a movement of celebration and belonging.
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Innovative Hydrogel

Dr Beenish Siddique, Founder and CEO of Innovative Hydrogel Ltd, is transforming agriculture with patented hydrogel-based substrates that replace peat, coir, and stone wool. Based in Manchester, the company provides sustainable, lightweight, and water-efficient alternatives that cut fertiliser use, increase germination rates, and improve yields. Its dual product line serves both vertical farms and traditional agriculture, targeting a multi-billion-pound global market. With strong IP protection, Innovate UK funding, and partnerships with leading growers, Beenish is positioning the company for rapid scale-up. Her vision is to deliver commercially scalable solutions that drive sustainability while reshaping the future of global food production.
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CyberMATI

Abdel-Karim Al-Tamimi, Founder of CyberMati, is a Senior Lecturer in AI and Machine Learning at Sheffield Hallam University with a PhD from Washington University in St. Louis. With over 20 years bridging academia and industry, he has produced prolific research, secured substantial grant funding, and advised leading companies. A certified AI professional (IAISP-CAISE, Huawei HCIA-AI), Abdel-Karim is an expert in machine learning, cybersecurity, and conversational AI. Through CyberMati and as an alumnus of the CyberASAP programme, he is dedicated to translating cutting-edge research into innovative commercial solutions that strengthen digital resilience and security.
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My Phlexit

Jay Chikezie, Founder and CEO of MyPhlexit, is building the data backbone of the live music economy. MyPhlexit was created to unlock opportunities for the 95% of emerging artists, grassroots venues, and independent promoters excluded from scalable touring due to high costs, poor data, and limited planning tools. The company’s AI-powered forecasting and marketplace platform provides real-time insights on event demand, pricing, sell-out probability, and venue-artist compatibility, enabling confident, data-led decisions. Through its accessible SaaS model and marketplace features, MyPhlexit reduces event failure, supports venue sustainability, and opens new revenue streams—redefining how live music is planned, performed, and scaled worldwide.
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Recycled Learning

Dr. Ona Newton, Founder of Recycled Learning, is an award-nominated leader with over 20 years of experience in strategic transformation, supply chain innovation, and digital technology at global organisations including Amazon, Microsoft, NHS England, and HSBC. She leads Recycled Learning for Kids (RLK), an AI-driven adaptive learning platform equipping children aged 7–14 with skills in sustainability, leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Under her direction, RLK has reached learners in 14+ countries with culturally relevant content, illustrated books, and interactive resources. A published author and education innovator, Dr. Newton champions sustainable, accessible education that empowers underserved communities worldwide.
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Cognitive Videos

Nishanth Sirivolu, Founder of Cognitive Videos, is an AI developer creating a platform that enables small and mid-sized businesses to generate on-brand ads, product demos, and educational videos from simple text and images. His expertise spans video generation using diffusers and transformers, structured overlays, text-to-speech narration, and retrieval-augmented generation pipelines. With over 15 years’ experience in camera stacks, embedded software, and OTT applications, Nishanth has delivered performance-critical systems at scale. At Cognitive Videos, he focuses on building privacy-conscious, production-ready AI that empowers non-experts to produce reliable, high-quality video content for everyday marketing and learning needs.
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Threasury

Jo Esebame, Founder and CEO of Threasury, is an entrepreneur and innovation leader with over a decade of experience spanning fintech, energy, and consulting. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Aberdeen on the intersection of digital assets and corporate finance, building on an MBA from Warwick Business School. At Threasury, Jo is driving the development of personalized banking and community-based financial solutions. Previously, as Chief Growth Officer at 3Gas Ltd, he led market expansion through innovative clean energy products. A Chartered Manager and CMI Fellow, Jo combines academic rigour with practical venture leadership.
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Casey Legal

Vipul Ladwa, Co-founder and CEO of Casey Legal, is driving innovation in the legal sector through an AI-powered platform that transforms how legal services are delivered and monetised. With a focus on enabling law firms and in-house teams to productise their expertise, Casey Legal provides client-facing portals that streamline routine contracts, due diligence, and research. Under Vipul’s leadership, the company has attracted early adopters such as Gowling, Severn Trent, and an AM Law 50 firm, while securing significant investment from SFC Capital. Vipul is committed to positioning Casey Legal as the backbone of revenue-generating legal workflows worldwide.
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