{ "title": "UK BUSINESS AI UNIVERSE: Start-ups: Defence", "built": "2026-10-31 17:13 UTC", "last_checked": "2026-10-29", "checked_range": [ "2026-10-29", "2026-10-29" ], "as_of": "2026-10-29", "buckets": [ { "key": "co", "label": "Companies", "color": "#d1495b", "count": 25 }, { "key": "inv", "label": "Investors and funds", "color": "#2e86de", "count": 0 }, { "key": "deal", "label": "Deals", "color": "#10ac84", "count": 0 }, { "key": "prog", "label": "Schemes, programmes and AI lines", "color": "#f39c12", "count": 0 }, { "key": "site", "label": "Data centres and compute sites", "color": "#8e44ad", "count": 0 }, { "key": "org", "label": "Networks, bodies, events and media", "color": "#34495e", "count": 0 }, { "key": "part", "label": "Partnerships and contracts", "color": "#e67e22", "count": 0 }, { "key": "prod", "label": "Chips, models and products", "color": "#e84393", "count": 0 }, { "key": "person", "label": "People", "color": "#9bbf00", "count": 0 } ], "divisions": [ { "key": "defence", "label": "Defence", "count": 25, "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "count": 19 }, { "dept": "Defence", "count": 4 }, { "dept": "security", "count": 1 }, { "dept": "cyber security", "count": 1 } ] } ], "colleges": [], "nodes": [ { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-001", "name": "Helsing UK", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "Opened its first UK Resilience Factory, near Plymouth, on 19 November 2025 to build the SG-1 Fathom autonomous underwater glider. Companies House shows HELSING LIMITED as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "British arm of the defence AI company Helsing; builds AI-enabled underwater drones at a factory near Plymouth.", "description": "Helsing Limited was incorporated in London in June 2021 as the UK company of Helsing, a defence AI group whose parent is outside the UK. Under the 2024 Trinity House agreement Helsing committed £350m to the UK. On 19 November 2025 it opened an 18,000 sq ft factory near Plymouth, its Maritime Centre of Excellence, to build the SG-1 Fathom, an autonomous underwater glider to help navies find submarines, testing from Turnchapel Wharf. Ned Baker is managing director of Helsing UK.", "uk_status": "foreign_with_uk_base", "company": { "ch_number": "13447361", "registered_office": "27 Mortimer Street, London, England, W1T 3BL", "incorporated": "2021-06-09", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": "Helsing (parent outside the UK)", "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "13447361", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13447361", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "Plymouth (factory); London (registered office W1T 3BL)", "postcode": "W1T 3BL", "lat": 51.518198, "lng": -0.138355, "region": "England: South West", "admin_district": "Westminster", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Ned Baker", "role": "Managing Director, Helsing UK", "from": null, "source": "https://helsing.ai/newsroom/helsing-opens-its-first-uk-resilience-factory-in-plymouth-to-build-ai-enabled-submarine-hunters" }, { "name": "Amelia Gould", "role": "General Manager, Maritime, Helsing", "from": null, "source": null } ], "money": [ { "kind": "investment_pledge", "amount": 350000000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2024", "detail": "commitment to the UK under the Trinity House agreement", "raw": "investment_pledge: 350000000 GBP 2024 — commitment to the UK under the Trinity House agreement", "amount_gbp": 350000000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£350m", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "Perceptual systems" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "maritime", "underwater drones" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": "biz-helsing-uk", "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "British arm of the defence AI company Helsing; builds AI-enabled underwater drones at a factory near Plymouth.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://helsing.ai/newsroom/helsing-opens-its-first-uk-resilience-factory-in-plymouth-to-build-ai-enabled-submarine-hunters", "https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/helsing-to-build-drone-submarine-factory-in-plymouth/", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13447361" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://helsing.ai/newsroom/helsing-opens-its-first-uk-resilience-factory-in-plymouth-to-build-ai-enabled-submarine-hunters", "quotes": [ "19 November 2025", "18,000 square feet factory near Plymouth", "£350 million commitment to the UK", "Managing Director of Helsing UK" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/helsing-to-build-drone-submarine-factory-in-plymouth/", "quotes": [ "will manufacture SG-1 Fathom autonomous underwater gliders\" (dated July 8, 2025)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13447361", "quotes": [ "HELSING LIMITED\" \"Active\" \"9 June 2021" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "Perceptual systems" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "Plymouth (factory); London (registered office W1T 3BL)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "linked from: works_at", "id": "BIZ-TAL-157", "name": "Ned Baker", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-157", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "linked from: alumni_of", "id": "BIZ-TAL-158", "name": "Will Blyth", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-158", "page_label": "Talent" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "part_of", "name": "Helsing" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-002", "name": "Adarga", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "On 14 July 2025 announced an expanded contract with Defence Support (Ministry of Defence), worth up to £12m, renewing use of its Vantage software, after an Enterprise Agreement Lite worth up to £12m in January 2025. Companies House shows ADARGA LIMITED as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "Makes AI software that searches and summarises large volumes of documents and data for armed forces and security agencies.", "description": "Adarga Limited was incorporated in August 2015 and has its registered office in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire. It provides AI toolkits and services to defence, national security and commercial customers, including its Vantage software, and can deploy models at different security classifications. In January 2025 it announced an Enterprise Agreement Lite with the Ministry of Defence worth up to £12m; in July 2025 ADS published its announcement of an expanded Defence Support contract, also worth up to £12m, including work on threats to military supply chains. Rob Bassett Cross is chief executive.", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "09742902", "registered_office": "Third Floor Gateway House, Tollgate, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, United Kingdom, SO53 3TG", "incorporated": "2015-08-21", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "09742902", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09742902", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "Chandlers Ford, Hampshire (SO53 3TG)", "postcode": "SO53 3TG", "lat": 50.967505, "lng": -1.383209, "region": "England: South East", "admin_district": "Eastleigh", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Rob Bassett Cross", "role": "CEO", "from": null, "source": "https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/knowledge/industry-member-news/adarga-awarded-expanded-defence-support-ai-contract/" }, { "name": "Charlie Maconochie", "role": "Senior Vice President, Public Sector", "from": null, "source": "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250113244361/en/Adarga-Secures-Enterprise-Agreement-Lite-with-UK-MOD-Worth-up-to-%C2%A312m" } ], "money": [ { "kind": "contract", "amount": 12000000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2025-01-13", "detail": "Enterprise Agreement Lite with the Ministry of Defence, \"up to\"", "raw": "contract: 12000000 GBP 2025-01-13 — Enterprise Agreement Lite with the Ministry of Defence, \"up to\"", "amount_gbp": 12000000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£12m", "gbp_txt": "" }, { "kind": "contract", "amount": 12000000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2025-07-14", "detail": "expanded Defence Support contract, \"up to\"", "raw": "contract: 12000000 GBP 2025-07-14 — expanded Defence Support contract, \"up to\"", "amount_gbp": 12000000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£12m", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Natural language applications", "Knowledge generation" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "intelligence analysis" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": "biz-adarga", "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Makes AI software that searches and summarises large volumes of documents and data for armed forces and security agencies.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250113244361/en/Adarga-Secures-Enterprise-Agreement-Lite-with-UK-MOD-Worth-up-to-%C2%A312m", "https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/knowledge/industry-member-news/adarga-awarded-expanded-defence-support-ai-contract/", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09742902" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250113244361/en/Adarga-Secures-Enterprise-Agreement-Lite-with-UK-MOD-Worth-up-to-%C2%A312m", "quotes": [ "worth up to £12m", "Senior Vice President Public Sector at Adarga\" (date from URL, 20250113)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/knowledge/industry-member-news/adarga-awarded-expanded-defence-support-ai-contract/", "quotes": [ "14 July, 2025", "Worth up to £12 million", "trusted, sovereign AI partner" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09742902", "quotes": [ "ADARGA LIMITED\" \"Active\" \"21 August 2015" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Natural language applications", "Knowledge generation" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "Chandlers Ford, Hampshire (SO53 3TG)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "linked from: partner_of", "id": "BIZ-EST-047", "name": "QinetiQ and Adarga AI partnership", "page": "established", "href": "../../established/#org=BIZ-EST-047", "page_label": "Established firms" }, { "kind": "supplies_government", "id": null, "name": "Defence", "page": "government", "href": "../../../government/defence/", "page_label": "UK Government AI Universe" } ], "label_links": [], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-003", "name": "Rowden", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "The National Wealth Fund invested £25m in equity on 13 May 2026, its first defence investment and the company's first outside funding. Companies House shows ROWDEN TECHNOLOGIES LTD. as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "Designs and builds sensing and information systems for the armed forces and emergency services, including AI for submarine acoustics.", "description": "Rowden Technologies was incorporated in Bristol in February 2016 (first as 5ZERO2, then Rowden Defence). It designs and builds sensing and information systems for the Ministry of Defence and emergency services, and contributes to the AUKUS AI for Acoustics programme. On 13 May 2026 the National Wealth Fund invested £25m, as sole investor and its first defence deal, with 100 jobs planned in the next year and 500 by 2032. Rob Harper is founder and chief executive. AI is one part of its work rather than its whole business. [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] place: Bristol [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] legal name / place: Rowden Technologies; Bristol, with a test and evaluation facility planned in the West Midlands; customers include the UK MoD", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "09981110", "registered_office": "Unit G3c Bolingbroke Way, Patchway, Bristol, England, BS34 6FE", "incorporated": "2016-02-01", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "09981110", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09981110", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "Patchway, Bristol (BS34 6FE)", "postcode": "BS34 6FE", "lat": 51.520453, "lng": -2.564858, "region": "England: South West", "admin_district": "South Gloucestershire", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Rob Harper", "role": "Founder and CEO", "from": null, "source": "https://nationalwealthfund.org.uk/news-and-publications/news/national-wealth-fund-invests-25-million-in-uk-engineering-business-rowden/" } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 25000000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2026-05-13", "detail": "equity from the National Wealth Fund as sole investor", "raw": "funding_round: 25000000 GBP 2026-05-13 — equity from the National Wealth Fund as sole investor", "amount_gbp": 25000000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£25m", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Perceptual systems", "AI implementation" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "maritime sensing" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": "biz-rowden", "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Designs and builds sensing and information systems for the armed forces and emergency services, including AI for submarine acoustics.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://nationalwealthfund.org.uk/news-and-publications/news/national-wealth-fund-invests-25-million-in-uk-engineering-business-rowden/", "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/defence-tech-firm-rowden-secures-25m-from-the-national-wealth-fund-20260513", "https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/naval/unmanned-naval-systems/uk-taxpayer-backed-fund-targets-submarine-ai-in-25m-investment", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09981110", "https://www.uktech.news/funding/uk-tech-funding-roundup-this-weeks-deals-from-isomorphic-labs-to-h2chp-20260515" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://nationalwealthfund.org.uk/news-and-publications/news/national-wealth-fund-invests-25-million-in-uk-engineering-business-rowden/", "quotes": [ "13 May 2026", "designs and builds sensing and information systems", "AUKUS AI for Acoustics programme" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/defence-tech-firm-rowden-secures-25m-from-the-national-wealth-fund-20260513", "quotes": [ "invested £25m in British engineering company Rowden Technologies" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.bairdmaritime.com/security/naval/unmanned-naval-systems/uk-taxpayer-backed-fund-targets-submarine-ai-in-25m-investment", "quotes": [ "Rowden's technology is being geared towards use on new submarines" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09981110", "quotes": [ "ROWDEN TECHNOLOGIES LTD.\" \"Active\" \"1 February 2016\" \"ROWDEN DEFENCE LTD." ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/funding/uk-tech-funding-roundup-this-weeks-deals-from-isomorphic-labs-to-h2chp-20260515", "quotes": [ "develops modular electronics and software systems" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": true, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Perceptual systems", "AI implementation" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "Patchway, Bristol (BS34 6FE)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-005", "name": "National Wealth Fund", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-005", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "supplies_government", "id": null, "name": "Defence", "page": "government", "href": "../../../government/defence/", "page_label": "UK Government AI Universe" }, { "kind": "supplies_government", "id": "GOV-MOD-023", "name": "AI Technical & Data Science Support framework (DAIC, £17.5m)", "page": "government", "href": "../../../government/defence/#org=GOV-MOD-023", "page_label": "UK Government AI Universe" }, { "kind": "supplies_government", "id": "GOV-MOD-041", "name": "Rowden Technologies (TF RAID first partner; £25m National Wealth Fund investment)", "page": "government", "href": "../../../government/defence/#org=GOV-MOD-041", "page_label": "UK Government AI Universe" } ], "label_links": [], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-004", "name": "Hadean", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "Secured an undisclosed bridge round including £2.1m from the British Business Bank, reported 12 March 2026. Companies House shows HADEAN SUPERCOMPUTING LTD as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "Builds AI and spatial-computing simulations that armed forces and governments use to train for and plan operations.", "description": "Hadean was founded in 2017 (its UK company, Hadean Supercomputing, was incorporated in October 2015) and is based in London. It combines spatial computing and AI to build simulations used by defence organisations, government agencies and businesses to rehearse and plan in live and virtual settings. It works with the UK Ministry of Defence and is expanding with the US Department of War. On 12 March 2026 it announced a bridge round with the British Business Bank (£2.1m), Booz Allen Ventures, Entrepreneur First and Twin Track Ventures, following a US$30m Series A in 2022. Craig Beddis is chief executive. [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] member_of: Selected by NATO DIANA with ACO for the Decision Superiority for NATO Warfighters Challenge, July 2026 [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] place: London", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "09808169", "registered_office": "9 Appold Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2A 2AP", "incorporated": "2015-10-03", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "09808169", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09808169", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "London (EC2A 2AP)", "postcode": "EC2A 2AP", "lat": 51.521691, "lng": -0.081634, "region": "England: London", "admin_district": "Hackney", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Craig Beddis", "role": "CEO", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/ai-conflict-simulation-firm-hadean-secures-bridge-round-20260312" }, { "name": "Craig Beddis", "role": "Chief executive", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/ai-conflict-simulation-firm-hadean-secures-bridge-round-20260312", "round4": true } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 2100000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2026-03-12", "detail": "British Business Bank share of an undisclosed bridge round", "raw": "funding_round: 2100000 GBP 2026-03-12 — British Business Bank share of an undisclosed bridge round", "amount_gbp": 2100000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£2.1m", "gbp_txt": "" }, { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 30000000, "currency": "USD", "date": "2022", "detail": "Series A", "raw": "funding_round: 30000000 USD 2022 — Series A", "amount_gbp": 22260147, "fx_rate": 1.3477, "fx_source": "Bank of England daily spot rate (series XUDLUSS, XUDLERS), US$1.3477 per £ on 2021-12-31", "fx_date": "2021-12-31", "fx_note": "year only given: rate for 1 January", "txt": "US$30m", "gbp_txt": "£22.3m" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "AI infrastructure" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "simulation", "training" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Builds AI and spatial-computing simulations that armed forces and governments use to train for and plan operations.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/ai-conflict-simulation-firm-hadean-secures-bridge-round-20260312", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=hadean+supercomputing", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09808169/officers", "https://www.diana.nato.int/connect/nato-diana-selects-innovators-to-drive-decision-superiority-for-allied-warfighters.html", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09808169" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/ai-conflict-simulation-firm-hadean-secures-bridge-round-20260312", "quotes": [ "brings together investors who deeply understand defence", "British Business Bank £2.1m", "Series A $30m (£22.4m) in 2022" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=hadean+supercomputing", "quotes": [ "HADEAN SUPERCOMPUTING LTD\" \"09808169\" \"3 October 2015\" \"9 Appold Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2A 2AP" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09808169/officers", "quotes": [ "BEDDIS, Craig\" Director appointed \"24 April 2018\" (active)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.diana.nato.int/connect/nato-diana-selects-innovators-to-drive-decision-superiority-for-allied-warfighters.html", "quotes": [ "has selected ten companies to advance cutting-edge capabilities through its Decision Superiority for NATO Warfighters" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09808169", "quotes": [ "HADEAN SUPERCOMPUTING LTD | Company number 09808169 | Active" ], "accessed": "2026-10-31", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "AI infrastructure" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "London (EC2A 2AP)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-002", "name": "British Business Bank", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-002", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-TAL-187", "name": "Entrepreneur First (EF)", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-187", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "supplies_government", "id": null, "name": "Defence", "page": "government", "href": "../../../government/defence/", "page_label": "UK Government AI Universe" }, { "kind": "linked from: works_at", "id": "BIZ-TAL-163", "name": "Craig Beddis", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-163", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "linked from: supplies", "id": "BIZ-TAL-187", "name": "Entrepreneur First (EF)", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-187", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "linked from: same_as", "id": "BIZ-SW-032", "name": "Hadean", "page": "software", "href": "../../software/#org=BIZ-SW-032", "page_label": "Software and tools" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Booz Allen Ventures" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Twin Track Ventures" }, { "kind": "member_of", "name": "Selected by NATO DIANA with ACO for the Decision Superiority for NATO Warfighters Challenge, July 2026" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-005", "name": "Agon", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-07-30", "status_detail": "Launched with US$30m (£22.5m) seed funding, reported 30 July 2026; investors not named in the article.", "one_line": "Builds a simulated battle arena in which AI systems for autonomous weapons are trained against adaptive opponents.", "description": "Agon is a UK defence AI start-up that builds infrastructure for developing defence AI. Its platform is described as a \"synthetic battle arena where autonomous weapon systems learn to fight\", training against adversaries drawn from live conflict intelligence. On 30 July 2026 UKTN reported US$30m in seed funding after six months of building in private. Tristam Constant is chief executive and co-founder. No company page or Companies House record was opened. [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] uk_status: UK-based [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] place / one_line: London; builds software infrastructure that creates synthetic battle arenas to train autonomous AI systems", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": null, "registered_office": null, "incorporated": null, "legal_form": null, "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": null, "companies_house_url": null, "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": null, "postcode": null, "lat": null, "lng": null, "region": null }, "people": [ { "name": "Tristam Constant", "role": "CEO and co-founder", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/agon-raises-22-5m-to-build-ai-training-model-for-defence-20260730" }, { "name": "Tristam Constant", "role": "CEO and co-founder", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/agon-raises-22-5m-to-build-ai-training-model-for-defence-20260730", "round4": true } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 30000000, "currency": "USD", "date": "2026-07-30", "detail": "seed", "raw": "funding_round: 30000000 USD 2026-07-30 — seed", "amount_gbp": 22346369, "fx_rate": 1.3425, "fx_source": "Bank of England daily spot rate (series XUDLUSS, XUDLERS), US$1.3425 per £ on 2026-07-30", "fx_date": "2026-07-30", "fx_note": "", "txt": "US$30m", "gbp_txt": "£22.3m" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "AI development and training" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "simulation", "autonomous weapons training" ], "confidence": "single_source", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Builds a simulated battle arena in which AI systems for autonomous weapons are trained against adaptive opponents.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/agon-raises-22-5m-to-build-ai-training-model-for-defence-20260730", "https://www.uktech.news/funding/uk-tech-funding-roundup-this-weeks-deals-from-dwelly-to-20260731" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/agon-raises-22-5m-to-build-ai-training-model-for-defence-20260730", "quotes": [ "$30m (£22.5m)", "synthetic battle arena where autonomous weapon systems learn to fight", "the last six months quietly building" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/funding/uk-tech-funding-roundup-this-weeks-deals-from-dwelly-to-20260731", "quotes": [ "builds software infrastructure that creates synthetic battle arenas to train autonomous AI systems" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": true, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "AI development and training" ], "one_source": true, "confidence_raw": "single_source", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": null, "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "linked from: works_at", "id": "BIZ-TAL-161", "name": "Tristam Constant", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-161", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "linked from: founder_of", "id": "BIZ-TAL-161", "name": "Tristam Constant", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-161", "page_label": "Talent" } ], "label_links": [], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-006", "name": "Augur", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-03-09", "status_detail": "Raised US$15m (£11.2m) led by Plural, reported 9 March 2026.", "one_line": "Makes AI that watches existing security cameras and sensors at busy sites and flags unusual behaviour, without facial recognition.", "description": "Augur is a London company that describes itself as a British sovereign AI platform for security. Its software connects to existing cameras and sensors at sites such as transport hubs, energy infrastructure and stadiums, flags abnormal behaviour, tracks incidents and reconstructs events; it says it tracks anonymised movement patterns rather than using facial recognition. On 9 March 2026 UKTN reported a US$15m round led by Plural with First Kind, SNR, Flix and Tiny VC. Harry Mead is co-founder and chief executive. [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] place: London", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": null, "registered_office": null, "incorporated": null, "legal_form": null, "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": null, "companies_house_url": null, "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "London", "postcode": null, "lat": null, "lng": null, "region": "England: London" }, "people": [ { "name": "Harry Mead", "role": "Co-founder and CEO", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/augur-ai-security-funding-round-20260309" }, { "name": "Harry Mead", "role": "Co-founder and chief executive", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/augur-ai-security-funding-round-20260309", "round4": true } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 15000000, "currency": "USD", "date": "2026-03-09", "detail": "led by Plural", "raw": "funding_round: 15000000 USD 2026-03-09 — led by Plural", "amount_gbp": 11199881, "fx_rate": 1.3393, "fx_source": "Bank of England daily spot rate (series XUDLUSS, XUDLERS), US$1.3393 per £ on 2026-03-09", "fx_date": "2026-03-09", "fx_note": "", "txt": "US$15m", "gbp_txt": "£11.2m" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Perceptual systems", "AI implementation" ], "sectors": [ "security", "critical national infrastructure" ], "confidence": "single_source", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Makes AI that watches existing security cameras and sensors at busy sites and flags unusual behaviour, without facial recognition.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/ai/augur-ai-security-funding-round-20260309" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/augur-ai-security-funding-round-20260309", "quotes": [ "$15m (£11.2m)", "Plural", "exists to close those gaps" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Perceptual systems", "AI implementation" ], "one_source": true, "confidence_raw": "single_source", "depts": [ { "dept": "security", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "London", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "linked from: funds", "id": "BIZ-INV-013", "name": "Plural", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-013", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-013", "name": "Plural", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-013", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "linked from: works_at", "id": "BIZ-TAL-162", "name": "Harry Mead", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-162", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "linked from: founder_of", "id": "BIZ-TAL-162", "name": "Harry Mead", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-162", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "linked from: portfolio_of", "id": "BIZ-INV-013", "name": "Plural", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-013", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-013", "name": "Plural", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-013", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "linked from: portfolio_of", "id": "BIZ-INV-001", "name": "Sovereign AI (UK Sovereign AI Fund)", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-001", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-001", "name": "Sovereign AI (UK Sovereign AI Fund)", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-001", "page_label": "Investors" } ], "label_links": [], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-007", "name": "Mutable Tactics", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "Raised a US$2.1m (£1.57m) pre-seed led by Seraphim Space with the National Security Strategic Investment Fund, reported 4 March 2026. Companies House shows MUTABLE TACTICS LIMITED as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "Makes AI software that lets one operator supervise mixed fleets of drones working as a team.", "description": "Mutable Tactics is a London robotics company, incorporated in August 2024. It builds software that lets mixed fleets of drones work together as coordinated teams rather than being flown one at a time, including an \"AI-powered decision layer\" that turns high-level commands into local actions. On 4 March 2026 UKTN reported a US$2.1m pre-seed led by Seraphim Space with the National Security Strategic Investment Fund, Koro, Entrepreneur First and Transpose. Colin MacLeod is co-founder and chief executive. [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] portfolio_of: National Security Strategic Investment Fund [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] place: London", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "15917733", "registered_office": "3rd Floor 86-90 Paul Street, London, England, EC2A 4NE", "incorporated": "2024-08-27", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "15917733", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15917733", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "London (EC2A 4NE)", "postcode": "EC2A 4NE", "lat": 51.525617, "lng": -0.083602, "region": "England: London", "admin_district": "Hackney", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Colin MacLeod", "role": "Co-founder and CEO", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/drone-defence-startup-secures-pre-seed-investment-20260304" }, { "name": "Colin MacLeod", "role": "Co-founder and chief executive", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/drone-defence-startup-secures-pre-seed-investment-20260304", "round4": true } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 2100000, "currency": "USD", "date": "2026-03-04", "detail": "pre-seed led by Seraphim Space", "raw": "funding_round: 2100000 USD 2026-03-04 — pre-seed led by Seraphim Space", "amount_gbp": 1571268, "fx_rate": 1.3365, "fx_source": "Bank of England daily spot rate (series XUDLUSS, XUDLERS), US$1.3365 per £ on 2026-03-04", "fx_date": "2026-03-04", "fx_note": "", "txt": "US$2.1m", "gbp_txt": "£1.6m" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Autonomous and agent systems" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "drones", "robotics" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Makes AI software that lets one operator supervise mixed fleets of drones working as a team.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/drone-defence-startup-secures-pre-seed-investment-20260304", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=mutable+tactics", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15917733/officers", "https://www.nssif.gov.uk/investment/portfolio", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15917733" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/drone-defence-startup-secures-pre-seed-investment-20260304", "quotes": [ "$2.1m (£1.57m)", "AI-powered decision layer" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=mutable+tactics", "quotes": [ "MUTABLE TACTICS LIMITED\" \"15917733\" \"27 Aug 2024" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15917733/officers", "quotes": [ "MACLEOD, Colin Angus, Director, appointed 27 August 2024", "MUNOZ DE COTE FLORES LUNA, Jose Enrique, Dr, Director, appointed 27 August 2024" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.nssif.gov.uk/investment/portfolio", "quotes": [ "unlocking autonomy by solving robotic decision-making" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15917733", "quotes": [ "MUTABLE TACTICS LIMITED | Company number 15917733 | Active" ], "accessed": "2026-10-31", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Autonomous and agent systems" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "London (EC2A 4NE)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-TAL-187", "name": "Entrepreneur First (EF)", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-187", "page_label": "Talent" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Seraphim Space" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "National Security Strategic Investment Fund" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-008", "name": "Vizgard", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "Raised a £1.5m Series A led by Sure Valley Ventures, reported in UKTN's roundup of 24 January 2025; no later page opened. Companies House shows VIZGARD LTD as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "Makes AI that automates vision tasks on camera systems used in defence and public safety.", "description": "Vizgard is a London company founded in early 2021 by Alex Kehoe, a former Royal Navy submariner. It applies AI to camera footage, \"bridging critical gaps in camera-based defence and public safety systems\". UKTN's roundup of 24 January 2025 reported a £1.5m Series A led by Sure Valley Ventures with Midwich Ignite and Focal. No company page or Companies House record was opened (the Companies House search did not load). [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] member_of: NATO DIANA 2026 cohort, autonomy and unmanned systems [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] place: London", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "13033810", "registered_office": null, "incorporated": null, "legal_form": null, "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "13033810", "from_round2": true, "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13033810", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "London", "postcode": "W1W 5PF", "lat": 51.521673, "lng": -0.143705, "region": "England: London", "admin_district": "Westminster", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Alex Kehoe", "role": "Founder", "from": "2021", "source": "https://www.uktech.news/funding/uk-tech-funding-roundup-this-weeks-deals-from-fundment-to-vizgard-20250124" }, { "name": "Alex Kehoe", "role": "Founder", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/ai-security-firm-vizgard-lands-1-5m-funding-20250122", "round4": true } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 1500000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2025-01-24", "detail": "Series A led by Sure Valley Ventures", "raw": "funding_round: 1500000 GBP 2025-01-24 — Series A led by Sure Valley Ventures", "amount_gbp": 1500000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£1.5m", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Perceptual systems" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "public safety", "computer vision" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Makes AI that automates vision tasks on camera systems used in defence and public safety.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/funding/uk-tech-funding-roundup-this-weeks-deals-from-fundment-to-vizgard-20250124", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13033810", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13033810/officers", "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html", "https://www.uktech.news/ai/ai-security-firm-vizgard-lands-1-5m-funding-20250122" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/funding/uk-tech-funding-roundup-this-weeks-deals-from-fundment-to-vizgard-20250124", "quotes": [ "AI vision automation, bridging critical gaps in camera-based defence and public safety systems", "£1.5m Series A" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13033810", "quotes": [ "VIZGARD LTD\" \"167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, England, W1W 5PF\" \"Active\" \"20 November 2020" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13033810/officers", "quotes": [ "KEHOE, Alexander\" Director appointed \"22 August 2021\" (Active)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html", "quotes": [ "Distributed, visual autonomy for scalable management of an AI-enabled autonomous fleet" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/ai-security-firm-vizgard-lands-1-5m-funding-20250122", "quotes": [ "has raised £1.5m in an oversubscribed funding round" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": true, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Perceptual systems" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "London", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Sure Valley Ventures" }, { "kind": "member_of", "name": "NATO DIANA 2026 cohort, autonomy and unmanned systems" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-009", "name": "Arondite", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "Announced a US$10m seed led by Index Ventures (US$12m with an earlier pre-seed), reported 1–2 May 2025. Companies House shows ARONDITE LTD as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "Makes AI software that links drones, ground robots and sensors from different makers so one operator can control them together.", "description": "Arondite is a London defence AI company, incorporated in December 2023. It builds software that lets defence and security organisations connect hardware from different manufacturers, including drones, ground robots and sensors, through one interface, and acts as a data layer for analytics; an early use is coordinating machines for minefield clearance. In May 2025 it announced a US$10m seed led by Index Ventures after a US$2.25m pre-seed led by Concept Ventures and Creator Fund. Will Blyth, a former British Army officer who worked at Palantir and Helsing, is chief executive; Rob Underhill, formerly of BAE Systems, is chief technology officer.", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "15349092", "registered_office": "167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, England, W1W 5PF", "incorporated": "2023-12-13", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "15349092", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15349092", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "London (W1W 5PF)", "postcode": "W1W 5PF", "lat": 51.521673, "lng": -0.143705, "region": "England: London", "admin_district": "Westminster", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Will Blyth", "role": "CEO and co-founder", "from": null, "source": "https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/knowledge/industry-member-news/arondite-raises-12m-to-connect-defence-systems-with-ai/" }, { "name": "Rob Underhill", "role": "CTO and co-founder", "from": null, "source": null }, { "name": "Will Blyth", "role": "Co-founder", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/arondite-ai-defence-startup-from-ex-army-officer-raises-9m-20250501", "round4": true }, { "name": "Rob Underhill", "role": "Co-founder", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/arondite-ai-defence-startup-from-ex-army-officer-raises-9m-20250501", "round4": true } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 10000000, "currency": "USD", "date": "2025-05-01", "detail": "seed led by Index Ventures", "raw": "funding_round: 10000000 USD 2025-05-01 — seed led by Index Ventures", "amount_gbp": 7521059, "fx_rate": 1.3296, "fx_source": "Bank of England daily spot rate (series XUDLUSS, XUDLERS), US$1.3296 per £ on 2025-05-01", "fx_date": "2025-05-01", "fx_note": "", "txt": "US$10m", "gbp_txt": "£7.5m" }, { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 2250000, "currency": "USD", "date": "2025", "detail": "earlier pre-seed led by Concept Ventures and Creator Fund (date not given)", "raw": "funding_round: 2250000 USD 2025 — earlier pre-seed led by Concept Ventures and Creator Fund (date not given)", "amount_gbp": 1795834, "fx_rate": 1.2529, "fx_source": "Bank of England daily spot rate (series XUDLUSS, XUDLERS), US$1.2529 per £ on 2024-12-31", "fx_date": "2024-12-31", "fx_note": "year only given: rate for 1 January", "txt": "US$2.2m", "gbp_txt": "£1.8m" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "AI implementation" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "drones", "command and control" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Makes AI software that links drones, ground robots and sensors from different makers so one operator can control them together.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/knowledge/industry-member-news/arondite-raises-12m-to-connect-defence-systems-with-ai/", "https://www.uktech.news/ai/arondite-ai-defence-startup-from-ex-army-officer-raises-9m-20250501", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15349092" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.adsgroup.org.uk/knowledge/industry-member-news/arondite-raises-12m-to-connect-defence-systems-with-ai/", "quotes": [ "connective tissue", "$10 million Seed led by Index Ventures", "$2.25 million pre-seed (posted 2 May 2025)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/arondite-ai-defence-startup-from-ex-army-officer-raises-9m-20250501", "quotes": [ "$12m (£9m)", "former British Army officer (dated 1 May 2025)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15349092", "quotes": [ "ARONDITE LTD\" \"Active\" \"13 December 2023" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "AI implementation" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "London (W1W 5PF)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-014", "name": "Index Ventures", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-014", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "linked from: works_at", "id": "BIZ-TAL-158", "name": "Will Blyth", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-158", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "linked from: founder_of", "id": "BIZ-TAL-158", "name": "Will Blyth", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-158", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "linked from: works_at", "id": "BIZ-TAL-159", "name": "Rob Underhill", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-159", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "linked from: founder_of", "id": "BIZ-TAL-159", "name": "Rob Underhill", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-159", "page_label": "Talent" }, { "kind": "linked from: portfolio_of", "id": "BIZ-INV-014", "name": "Index Ventures", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-014", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-014", "name": "Index Ventures", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-014", "page_label": "Investors" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Concept Ventures" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Creator Fund" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-010", "name": "Spaceflux", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "Extended its seed round by £3.5m to £9m, led by Blackfinch Ventures, reported 1 May 2026. Companies House shows SPACEFLUX LTD as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "Tracks satellites and space debris for governments and companies, using an AI platform with optical telescopes on five continents.", "description": "Spaceflux is a London company founded in 2022 (incorporated April 2022) that provides space domain awareness services, tracking satellites and in-orbit debris for governments and commercial operators. Its AI platform, Cortex, works with a network of optical sensors across five continents. Customers and partners include the Ministry of Defence and the UK Space Agency, and MDA Space chose it as an optical provider for the Canadian government. On 1 May 2026 UKTN reported a £3.5m seed extension to £9m, led by Blackfinch Ventures with Foresight Group, the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund and SPARX, after £5.4m in July 2025. Dr Marco Rocchetto is chief executive and co-founder. [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] member_of: NATO DIANA 2026 cohort, resilient space operations", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "14023744", "registered_office": "The Ivories, Unit 21, 6-18 Northampton Street, London, England, N1 2HY", "incorporated": "2022-04-04", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "14023744", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14023744", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "London (N1 2HY)", "postcode": "N1 2HY", "lat": 51.541701, "lng": -0.095502, "region": "England: London", "admin_district": "Islington", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Dr Marco Rocchetto", "role": "CEO and co-founder", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/space-tech/space-intelligence-group-extends-funding-round-to-9m-20260501" } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 3500000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2026-05-01", "detail": "seed extension (round total £9m) led by Blackfinch Ventures", "raw": "funding_round: 3500000 GBP 2026-05-01 — seed extension (round total £9m) led by Blackfinch Ventures", "amount_gbp": 3500000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£3.5m", "gbp_txt": "" }, { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 5400000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2025-07", "detail": "earlier seed", "raw": "funding_round: 5400000 GBP 2025-07 — earlier seed", "amount_gbp": 5400000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£5.4m", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Perceptual systems", "Knowledge generation" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "space", "surveillance" ], "confidence": "single_source", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Tracks satellites and space debris for governments and companies, using an AI platform with optical telescopes on five continents.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/space-tech/space-intelligence-group-extends-funding-round-to-9m-20260501", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14023744", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14023744", "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/space-tech/space-intelligence-group-extends-funding-round-to-9m-20260501", "quotes": [ "£3.5m extension", "£9m", "space domain awareness", "Cortex" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14023744", "quotes": [ "SPACEFLUX LTD\" \"Active\" \"4 April 2022" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14023744", "quotes": [ "SPACEFLUX LTD\" \"The Ivories, Unit 21, 6-18 Northampton Street, London, England, N1 2HY\" \"Active\" \"4 April 2022" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html", "quotes": [ "predictive AI for resilient space operations and strategic advantage" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Perceptual systems", "Knowledge generation" ], "one_source": true, "confidence_raw": "single_source", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "London (N1 2HY)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "supplies_government", "id": null, "name": "Defence", "page": "government", "href": "../../../government/defence/", "page_label": "UK Government AI Universe" }, { "kind": "supplies_government", "id": "GOV-BIST-009", "name": "UK Space Agency", "page": "government", "href": "../../../government/bist/#org=GOV-BIST-009", "page_label": "UK Government AI Universe" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Blackfinch Ventures" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Foresight Group" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund" }, { "kind": "supplies", "name": "MDA Space" }, { "kind": "member_of", "name": "NATO DIANA 2026 cohort, resilient space operations" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-011", "name": "StirlingX", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-07-03", "status_detail": "Raised a £15m Series A from Ventura Capital and RCM Private Markets Master Fund, reported in UKTN's roundup of 3 July 2026.", "one_line": "Builds a data and autonomy platform that helps defence and critical-infrastructure organisations collect and act on mission data.", "description": "StirlingX is a London company, incorporated in May 2022, that, per UKTN, \"builds a sovereign data intelligence and autonomy platform\" for defence and critical infrastructure organisations. UKTN's roundup of 3 July 2026 reported a £15m Series A from Ventura Capital and RCM Private Markets Master Fund (managed by Rokos Capital Management US). No company page was opened.", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "14111820", "registered_office": "3rd Floor 86-90 Paul Street, London, England, EC2A 4NE", "incorporated": "2022-05-17", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "14111820", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14111820", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "London (EC2A 4NE)", "postcode": "EC2A 4NE", "lat": 51.525617, "lng": -0.083602, "region": "England: London", "admin_district": "Hackney", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 15000000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2026-07-03", "detail": "Series A", "raw": "funding_round: 15000000 GBP 2026-07-03 — Series A", "amount_gbp": 15000000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£15m", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "Knowledge generation" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "critical infrastructure" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": [ { "from": "Companies House check, 29 Oct 2026", "field": "description", "text": "description → previous name GALLOS TECHNOLOGIES SUBSIDIARY 1 LIMITED (17 May 2022 – 22 May 2025); the company took the StirlingX name on 22 May 2025" } ], "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Builds a data and autonomy platform that helps defence and critical-infrastructure organisations collect and act on mission data.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/funding/uk-tech-funding-roundup-gaussion-neuronostics-20260703", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=stirlingx", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14111820" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/funding/uk-tech-funding-roundup-gaussion-neuronostics-20260703", "quotes": [ "builds a sovereign data intelligence and autonomy platform", "£15m Series A" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=stirlingx", "quotes": [ "STIRLINGX LIMITED\" \"14111820\" \"17 May 2022" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14111820", "quotes": [ "STIRLINGX LIMITED", "Active", "17 May 2022", "GALLOS TECHNOLOGIES SUBSIDIARY 1 LIMITED (17 May 2022 - 22 May 2025)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "Knowledge generation" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "London (EC2A 4NE)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Ventura Capital" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Rokos Capital Management" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-012", "name": "SpaceAM", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-08-17", "status_detail": "Closed an undisclosed seed round backed by Foresight Group and government defence innovation funding, reported 17 August 2026.", "one_line": "Makes very light autonomous sensing systems, combining its own hardware, software and AI, for harsh and contested environments.", "description": "SpaceAM is a Gloucestershire defence company that develops \"ultra-lightweight autonomous sensing systems\" for contested and extreme environments. Founder and chief executive Chris Isaac says it combines hardware, software and AI in one platform, \"all in-house and all in the UK\". On 17 August 2026 UKTN reported a seed round of undisclosed size from Foresight Group with government-backed defence innovation funding. Companies House lists Space AM Limited, incorporated 7 April 2021, at Bonds Mill Estate, Stonehouse. [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] place: Gloucestershire", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "13317905", "registered_office": "The Wheel House, Bonds Mill Estate, Bristol Road, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, GL10 3RF", "incorporated": "2021-04-07", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "13317905", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13317905", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "Stonehouse, Gloucestershire (GL10 3RF)", "postcode": "GL10 3RF", "lat": 51.745574, "lng": -2.302075, "region": "England: South West", "admin_district": "Stroud", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Chris Isaac", "role": "Founder and CEO", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/foresight-group-backs-uk-defence-startup-spaceam-20260817" }, { "name": "Chris Isaac", "role": "Founder and chief executive", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/foresight-group-backs-uk-defence-startup-spaceam-20260817", "round4": true } ], "money": [ { "kind": "note", "amount": null, "currency": null, "date": null, "detail": null, "raw": "null (seed amount not disclosed)", "kind_as_written": null, "amount_gbp": null, "fx_rate": null, "fx_source": null, "fx_note": "no amount published", "txt": "", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Perceptual systems", "Autonomous and agent systems" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "sensing", "space" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Makes very light autonomous sensing systems, combining its own hardware, software and AI, for harsh and contested environments.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/foresight-group-backs-uk-defence-startup-spaceam-20260817", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=spaceam", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13317905" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/foresight-group-backs-uk-defence-startup-spaceam-20260817", "quotes": [ "ultra-lightweight autonomous sensing systems", "creating the perfect synergy between hardware, software and AI, all in-house and all in the UK" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=spaceam", "quotes": [ "SPACE AM LIMITED\" \"13317905\" \"7 April 2021\" \"Stonehouse, Gloucestershire" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13317905", "quotes": [ "SPACE AM LIMITED", "Active", "7 April 2021", "71121 - Engineering design activities for industrial process and production" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Perceptual systems", "Autonomous and agent systems" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "Stonehouse, Gloucestershire (GL10 3RF)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Foresight Group" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-013", "name": "Mind Foundry", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-08-25", "status_detail": "Named as one of three UK pilot partners in a UK–Ukraine AI agreement reported 25 August 2026.", "one_line": "Oxford AI company named as a partner in UK–Ukraine defence AI pilots (its own work not described on pages opened).", "description": "Mind Foundry is an Oxford company named by UKTN on 25 August 2026 as one of three UK pilot partners, with Sintela and Skyral, under a UK–Ukraine agreement to develop AI technologies; the article did not say which company does what. No company page or Companies House record was opened (the Companies House search did not load), so its products, ownership and founding are not recorded here.", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "09882159", "registered_office": null, "incorporated": null, "legal_form": null, "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "09882159", "from_round2": true, "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09882159", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "Oxford", "postcode": "OX4 2HN", "lat": 51.731891, "lng": -1.204714, "region": "England: South East", "admin_district": "Oxford", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [], "money": [], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "AI implementation" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "government" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": [ { "from": "Companies House check, 29 Oct 2026", "field": "status_detail", "text": "status_detail → add \"Companies House shows its accounts to 31 December 2025, due by 30 September 2026, overdue on 29 October 2026.\"" } ], "held": [], "same_as": "BIZ-SW-011", "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Oxford AI company named as a partner in UK–Ukraine defence AI pilots (its own work not described on pages opened).", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/government-policy/uk-and-ukraine-sign-landmark-ai-deal-to-develop-new-technologies-20260825", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09882159", "https://www.uktech.news/news/this-oxford-university-startup-wants-to-bring-humans-and-ai-together-to-solve-real-world-problems-bags-104m-20201110" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/government-policy/uk-and-ukraine-sign-landmark-ai-deal-to-develop-new-technologies-20260825", "quotes": [ "pilot partners Sintela (Bristol), Mind Foundry (Oxford), Skyral (London)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09882159", "quotes": [ "MIND FOUNDRY LIMITED", "9400 Garsington Road, Oxford Business Park, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX4 2HN", "Active", "20 November 2015", "Accounts overdue" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/news/this-oxford-university-startup-wants-to-bring-humans-and-ai-together-to-solve-real-world-problems-bags-104m-20201110", "quotes": [ "is a University of Oxford spin-out founded to create a future where humans and AI work together\" (10 Nov 2020)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "AI implementation" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "Oxford", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "spun_out_of", "id": "UNI:oxford", "name": "Universities: oxford", "page": "universities", "href": "https://hazy-wreath-hez6.here.now/oxford/", "page_label": "UK Universities AI Universe (new tab)" }, { "kind": "same_as", "id": "BIZ-SW-011", "name": "Mind Foundry", "page": "software", "href": "../../software/#org=BIZ-SW-011", "page_label": "Software and tools" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "partner_of", "name": "UK–Ukraine AI agreement (pilot partner)" } ], "degree": 2, "related_ids": [ "BIZ-SU-DEF-014", "BIZ-SU-DEF-015" ] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-014", "name": "Skyral", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-08-25", "status_detail": "Named as one of three UK pilot partners in a UK–Ukraine AI agreement reported 25 August 2026.", "one_line": "London company, with a defence subsidiary, named as a partner in UK–Ukraine defence AI pilots (its own work not described on pages opened).", "description": "Skyral is a London company named by UKTN on 25 August 2026 as a UK pilot partner, with Mind Foundry and Sintela, under a UK–Ukraine AI agreement. Companies House lists Skyral Group Limited (incorporated 20 June 2023) and Skyral Defence Limited (21 June 2023) at Lackington Street, London. Its products were not described on pages opened.", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "14948583", "registered_office": "3rd Floor 1 Lackington Street, London, England, EC2A 1AL", "incorporated": "2023-06-20", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "14948583", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14948583", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "London (EC2A 1AL)", "postcode": "EC2A 1AL", "lat": 51.519839, "lng": -0.086065, "region": "England: London", "admin_district": "Islington", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [], "money": [], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "AI implementation" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "simulation" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "London company, with a defence subsidiary, named as a partner in UK–Ukraine defence AI pilots (its own work not described on pages opened).", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/government-policy/uk-and-ukraine-sign-landmark-ai-deal-to-develop-new-technologies-20260825", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=skyral", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14948583" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/government-policy/uk-and-ukraine-sign-landmark-ai-deal-to-develop-new-technologies-20260825", "quotes": [ "pilot partners", "Skyral (London)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=skyral", "quotes": [ "SKYRAL GROUP LIMITED\" \"14948583\" \"20 June 2023\"; \"SKYRAL DEFENCE LIMITED\" \"14949957\" \"21 June 2023" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14948583", "quotes": [ "SKYRAL GROUP LIMITED\" \"3rd Floor 1 Lackington Street, London, England, EC2A 1AL\" \"Active\" \"20 June 2023\" \"84220 - Defence activities" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "AI implementation" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "London (EC2A 1AL)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "partner_of", "id": "BIZ-SW-011", "name": "Mind Foundry", "page": "software", "href": "../../software/#org=BIZ-SW-011", "page_label": "Software and tools" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "partner_of", "name": "UK–Ukraine AI agreement (pilot partner)" } ], "degree": 3, "related_ids": [ "BIZ-SU-DEF-013", "BIZ-SU-DEF-015" ] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-015", "name": "Sintela", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-08-25", "status_detail": "Named as one of three UK pilot partners in a UK–Ukraine AI agreement reported 25 August 2026.", "one_line": "Bristol company named as a partner in UK–Ukraine defence AI pilots (its own work not described on pages opened).", "description": "Sintela is a Bristol company named by UKTN on 25 August 2026 as a UK pilot partner, with Mind Foundry and Skyral, under a UK–Ukraine agreement to develop AI technologies. The article describes one pilot that \"turns buried fibre-optic cables into a giant AI-enabled sensor\" but does not say which partner runs it. No company page or Companies House record was opened.", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "11015440", "registered_office": null, "incorporated": null, "legal_form": null, "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "11015440", "from_round2": true, "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11015440", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "Pill, Bristol (BS20 0DH)", "postcode": "BS20 0DH", "lat": 51.480134, "lng": -2.689338, "region": "England: South West", "admin_district": "North Somerset", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [], "money": [], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Perceptual systems" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "sensing" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": [ { "from": "Companies House check, 29 Oct 2026", "field": "place", "text": "place → Pill, Bristol (BS20 0DH) — region: England: South West (confirmed)" } ], "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Bristol company named as a partner in UK–Ukraine defence AI pilots (its own work not described on pages opened).", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/government-policy/uk-and-ukraine-sign-landmark-ai-deal-to-develop-new-technologies-20260825", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=sintela" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/government-policy/uk-and-ukraine-sign-landmark-ai-deal-to-develop-new-technologies-20260825", "quotes": [ "pilot partners Sintela (Bristol)", "turns buried fibre-optic cables into a giant AI-enabled sensor\" (unattributed)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/search?q=sintela", "quotes": [ "SINTELA LIMITED", "11015440", "Incorporated on 16 October 2017", "The Distillery Lodway, Pill, Bristol, England, BS20 0DH" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Perceptual systems" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "Pill, Bristol (BS20 0DH)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "partner_of", "id": "BIZ-SW-011", "name": "Mind Foundry", "page": "software", "href": "../../software/#org=BIZ-SW-011", "page_label": "Software and tools" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "partner_of", "name": "UK–Ukraine AI agreement (pilot partner)" } ], "degree": 3, "related_ids": [ "BIZ-SU-DEF-013", "BIZ-SU-DEF-014" ] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-401", "name": "Whitespace", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-09-30", "status_detail": "On 30 September 2026 the Irish News reported that Whitespace plans 40 new Belfast jobs over three years, with an Invest NI offer of £240,000.", "one_line": "Belfast company whose software lets defence and security bodies build, run and govern AI on cloud, edge and air-gapped systems.", "description": "Whitespace (Whitespace Global Limited) was founded in Belfast in 2015 by Paul Jenkinson and Andrew McCartney. Its platform, Collective, lets organisations develop, deploy and govern AI across cloud, edge, on-premise and air-gapped environments; the Irish News names the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy as clients. In November 2025 it raised a Series A of $13m (about £10m), with Beach Equity and White Cloud as new investors. In September 2026 it announced 40 new roles in software, AI, data and cloud engineering, supported by a £240,000 Invest NI offer. Companies House gives an incorporation date of December 2016. [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] place / one_line: Belfast; AI software provider specialising in sovereign AI, supplying its operating system to defence and national security bodies", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "NI642645", "registered_office": "The Linenhall, 3rd Floor, Linenhall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT2 8BG", "incorporated": "2016-12-09", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "NI642645", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "Linenhall Street, Belfast (BT2 8BG)", "postcode": "BT2 8BG", "lat": 54.593963, "lng": -5.92947, "region": "Northern Ireland", "admin_district": "Belfast", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Paul Jenkinson", "role": "chief executive and co-founder", "from": null, "source": "https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/belfast-ai-firm-secures-10m-equity-to-propel-into-next-stage-of-growth-VGL66FM7ZRBNLHUJDHZSLOBS7Q/" }, { "name": "Andrew McCartney", "role": "co-founder, director", "from": "2016-12-09", "source": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645/officers" }, { "name": "Ruth Hengari", "role": "chief financial officer", "from": null, "source": "https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/belfast-based-ai-company-building-tech-for-the-defence-sector-to-create-40-new-roles-LC572M6YCZAG3BAVBGIFLPIE2I/" }, { "name": "Paul Jenkinson", "role": "Chief executive", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/belfast-sovereign-ai-firm-raises-10m-series-a-20251128", "round4": true } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 13000000, "currency": "USD", "date": "2025-11-28", "detail": "Series A (about £10m) with Beach Equity and White Cloud", "raw": "funding_round: 13000000 USD 2025-11-28 — Series A (about £10m) with Beach Equity and White Cloud", "amount_gbp": 9809840, "fx_rate": 1.3252, "fx_source": "Bank of England daily spot rate (series XUDLUSS, XUDLERS), US$1.3252 per £ on 2025-11-28", "fx_date": "2025-11-28", "fx_note": "", "txt": "US$13m", "gbp_txt": "£9.8m" }, { "kind": "grant", "amount": 240000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2026-09-30", "detail": "Invest NI offer towards 40 jobs", "raw": "grant: 240000 GBP 2026-09-30 — Invest NI offer towards 40 jobs", "amount_gbp": 240000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£240,000", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "AI infrastructure", "AI security and assurance", "AI implementation" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "national security", "sovereign AI" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Belfast company whose software lets defence and security bodies build, run and govern AI on cloud, edge and air-gapped systems.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/ai/belfast-sovereign-ai-firm-raises-10m-series-a-20251128", "https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/belfast-ai-firm-secures-10m-equity-to-propel-into-next-stage-of-growth-VGL66FM7ZRBNLHUJDHZSLOBS7Q/", "https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/belfast-based-ai-company-building-tech-for-the-defence-sector-to-create-40-new-roles-LC572M6YCZAG3BAVBGIFLPIE2I/", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645/officers" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/belfast-sovereign-ai-firm-raises-10m-series-a-20251128", "quotes": [ "secured a £10m Series A investment", "an AI software solutions provider based in Belfast\" (accessed 2026-10-29) (trade)" ], "accessed": null, "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/belfast-ai-firm-secures-10m-equity-to-propel-into-next-stage-of-growth-VGL66FM7ZRBNLHUJDHZSLOBS7Q/", "quotes": [ "securing a total investment of $13 million (about £10 million)" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/belfast-based-ai-company-building-tech-for-the-defence-sector-to-create-40-new-roles-LC572M6YCZAG3BAVBGIFLPIE2I/", "quotes": [ "Whitespace was founded in Belfast, and Northern Ireland is still where our ambition to scale lies." ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645", "quotes": [ "The Linenhall, 3rd Floor, Linenhall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT2 8BG", "Active", "9 December 2016" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645/officers", "quotes": [ "JENKINSON, Paul Niall", "MCCARTNEY, Andrew David" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "AI infrastructure", "AI security and assurance", "AI implementation" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "Linenhall Street, Belfast (BT2 8BG)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "supplies_government", "id": null, "name": "Defence", "page": "government", "href": "../../../government/defence/", "page_label": "UK Government AI Universe" }, { "kind": "linked from: portfolio_of", "id": "BIZ-INV-2032", "name": "Beach Equity", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-2032", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-2032", "name": "Beach Equity", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-2032", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "linked from: portfolio_of", "id": "BIZ-INV-2262", "name": "White Cloud", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-2262", "page_label": "Investors" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-2262", "name": "White Cloud", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-2262", "page_label": "Investors" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Beach Equity" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "White Cloud" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Invest NI" } ], "degree": 1, "related_ids": [ "BIZ-SU-DEF-604" ] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-601", "name": "SenseOn", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": null, "status_detail": "Companies House lists SenseOn Tech Ltd as active (checked 29 October 2026).", "one_line": "Cyber-security software that uses AI to watch a company's devices and network together and flag attacks.", "description": "SenseOn is a UK start-up that uses what it calls \"AI triangulation\" to monitor and defend a company's network, endpoints and services together. TechCrunch reported a US$6.4m seed round in February 2019, co-led by MMC Ventures and Mark Weatherford, and named David Atkinson, formerly of Darktrace, as founder and chief executive. A later TechCrunch headline (27 September 2021) reported a US$20m round. Companies House lists SenseOn Tech Ltd, incorporated on 25 October 2017, as active.", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "11032394", "registered_office": "8 St. James's Square, St James's, London, England, SW1Y 4JU", "incorporated": "2017-10-25", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "11032394", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11032394", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "London (registered office) (SW1Y 4JU)", "postcode": "SW1Y 4JU", "lat": 51.508154, "lng": -0.134989, "region": "England: London", "admin_district": "Westminster", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 6400000, "currency": "USD", "date": "2019-02-19", "detail": "seed co-led by MMC Ventures and Mark Weatherford", "raw": "funding_round: 6400000 USD 2019-02-19 — seed co-led by MMC Ventures and Mark Weatherford", "amount_gbp": 4911365, "fx_rate": 1.3031, "fx_source": "Bank of England daily spot rate (series XUDLUSS, XUDLERS), US$1.3031 per £ on 2019-02-19", "fx_date": "2019-02-19", "fx_note": "", "txt": "US$6.4m", "gbp_txt": "£4.9m" }, { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 20000000, "currency": "USD", "date": "2021-09-27", "detail": "reported in a TechCrunch headline only", "raw": "funding_round: 20000000 USD 2021-09-27 — reported in a TechCrunch headline only", "amount_gbp": 14590020, "fx_rate": 1.3708, "fx_source": "Bank of England daily spot rate (series XUDLUSS, XUDLERS), US$1.3708 per £ on 2021-09-27", "fx_date": "2021-09-27", "fx_note": "", "txt": "US$20m", "gbp_txt": "£14.6m" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "AI security and assurance" ], "sectors": [ "cyber security" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Cyber-security software that uses AI to watch a company's devices and network together and flag attacks.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/19/senseon-raises-6-4m-to-tackle-cybersecurity-threats-with-an-ai-triangulation-approach/", "https://techcrunch.com/tag/darktrace/", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11032394" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/19/senseon-raises-6-4m-to-tackle-cybersecurity-threats-with-an-ai-triangulation-approach/", "quotes": [ "AI triangulation", "U.K. startup" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://techcrunch.com/tag/darktrace/", "quotes": [ "SenseOn nabs $20M for faster, more accurate cybersecurity detection and response via its 'triangulation' approach" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11032394", "quotes": [ "SENSEON TECH LTD\" \"8 St. James's Square, St James's, London, England, SW1Y 4JU\" \"Active\" \"25 October 2017\" \"62012" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "AI security and assurance" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "cyber security", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "London (registered office) (SW1Y 4JU)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-032", "name": "MMC Ventures", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-032", "page_label": "Investors" } ], "label_links": [], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-602", "name": "Occam", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "Raised £2.6m pre-seed led by Presto Tech Horizons and Antler, reported 11 February 2026; Companies House lists Occam Industries Ltd (formerly Cakeshop AI Limited) as active, with co-founder Guiam Edward Wainwright a director. Companies House shows OCCAM INDUSTRIES LTD as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "UK defence start-up writing autonomy software so drones can fly missions without GPS or constant human control.", "description": "Occam, founded in 2025, develops autonomous AI drones being tested with the Ukrainian military; its systems run on autonomous software rather than continuous human control. In February 2026 UKTN reported a £2.6m pre-seed round led by Presto Tech Horizons and Antler, with the Freedom Fund and TYR.vc, and named Gui Wainwright as co-founder and chief executive. Companies House lists Occam Industries Ltd, incorporated on 12 June 2025 as Cakeshop AI Limited and renamed in August 2025, as active, with Guiam Edward Wainwright a director since incorporation. The match rests on the name, the 2025 founding and the director's surname.", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "16515234", "registered_office": "128 City Road, London, England, EC1V 2NX", "incorporated": "2025-06-12", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "16515234", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16515234", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": null, "postcode": null, "lat": null, "lng": null, "region": null }, "people": [ { "name": "Gui Wainwright", "role": "co-founder and chief executive; director from 2025-06-12 (listed as Guiam Edward Wainwright)", "from": null, "source": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16515234/officers" } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 2600000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2026-02-11", "detail": "pre-seed led by Presto Tech Horizons and Antler (single source)", "raw": "funding_round: 2600000 GBP 2026-02-11 — pre-seed led by Presto Tech Horizons and Antler (single source)", "amount_gbp": 2600000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£2.6m", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "Perceptual systems" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "drones" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "UK defence start-up writing autonomy software so drones can fly missions without GPS or constant human control.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/occam-ai-drone-ukraine-funding-20260211", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16515234", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16515234/officers" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/occam-ai-drone-ukraine-funding-20260211", "quotes": [ "has raised a £2.6m investment", "developing AI autonomous drones being tested with the Ukrainian military" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16515234", "quotes": [ "OCCAM INDUSTRIES LTD\" \"Active\" \"12 June 2025\" \"CAKESHOP AI LIMITED\", \"12 Jun 2025 - 21 Aug 2025" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/16515234/officers", "quotes": [ "WAINWRIGHT, Guiam Edward\" Director, Active, appointed 12 June 2025" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Autonomous and agent systems", "Perceptual systems" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": null, "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-TAL-193", "name": "Antler UK", "page": "talent", "href": "../../talent/#org=BIZ-TAL-193", "page_label": "Talent" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Presto Tech Horizons" }, { "kind": "founded_by", "name": "Gui Wainwright" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-603", "name": "Online Oceans", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "Raised £4m led by Seraphim Space, reported 30 April 2026; Companies House lists Online Oceans Robotics Limited as active. Companies House shows ONLINE OCEANS ROBOTICS LIMITED as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "Christchurch company building uncrewed surface boats and fleet software for naval and maritime-security patrols.", "description": "Online Oceans builds autonomous surface vessels and fleet software for defence and maritime security, including anti-submarine work, protecting undersea infrastructure, border control and stopping smuggling. On 30 April 2026 UKTN reported £4m led by Seraphim Space, with Peter Rive, the Quantum Systems founders and Koro Capital, described it as Christchurch-based and named George Morton as its head. The article does not mention AI; the record rests on the DSIT autonomous-systems domain. Companies House lists Online Oceans Robotics Limited, incorporated on 17 November 2023, as active, with George Matthew Morton a director since incorporation. [Round 4, 30 Oct 2026] place: Christchurch", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "15290665", "registered_office": "7 Bell Yard, London, England, WC2A 2JR", "incorporated": "2023-11-17", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "15290665", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15290665", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "Christchurch (null)", "postcode": null, "lat": null, "lng": null, "region": "England: South West" }, "people": [ { "name": "George Morton", "role": "founder and chief executive; director from 2023-11-17", "from": null, "source": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15290665/officers" }, { "name": "George Morton", "role": "Founder and CEO", "from": null, "source": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/online-oceans-raises-4m-to-scale-autonomous-fleets-for-maritime-security-20260430", "round4": true } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 4000000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2026-04-30", "detail": "led by Seraphim Space (single source)", "raw": "funding_round: 4000000 GBP 2026-04-30 — led by Seraphim Space (single source)", "amount_gbp": 4000000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£4m", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "Autonomous and agent systems" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "maritime security" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Christchurch company building uncrewed surface boats and fleet software for naval and maritime-security patrols.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/online-oceans-raises-4m-to-scale-autonomous-fleets-for-maritime-security-20260430", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15290665", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15290665/officers" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/defence-tech/online-oceans-raises-4m-to-scale-autonomous-fleets-for-maritime-security-20260430", "quotes": [ "Christchurch-based Online Oceans has raised £4m to scale its build" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15290665", "quotes": [ "ONLINE OCEANS ROBOTICS LIMITED\" \"Active\" \"17 November 2023\" \"71129 - Other engineering activities" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15290665/officers", "quotes": [ "MORTON, George Matthew\" \"Active\" \"Director\" \"17 November 2023" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "Autonomous and agent systems" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "Christchurch (null)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Seraphim Space" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Koro Capital" }, { "kind": "founded_by", "name": "George Morton" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-604", "name": "Whitespace", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-10-31", "status_detail": "Raised a £10m Series A from Beach Equity and White Cloud, reported 28 November 2025; Companies House lists Whitespace Global Limited (Belfast) as active. Companies House shows WHITESPACE GLOBAL LIMITED as Active (checked 31 Oct 2026).", "one_line": "Belfast company selling an AI operating system that defence and national-security bodies run on their own systems.", "description": "Whitespace specialises in sovereign AI, providing its operating system to defence and national security organisations. On 28 November 2025 UKTN reported a £10m Series A backed by Beach Equity and White Cloud, said it is based in Belfast and named Paul Jenkinson as chief executive. Companies House lists Whitespace Global Limited (NI642645), incorporated on 9 December 2016 in Belfast, as active, with Paul Niall Jenkinson a director since incorporation; two new directors joined in November 2025.", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "NI642645", "registered_office": "The Linenhall, 3rd Floor, Linenhall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT2 8BG", "incorporated": "2016-12-09", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "NI642645", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "Belfast (BT2 8BG)", "postcode": "BT2 8BG", "lat": 54.593963, "lng": -5.92947, "region": "Northern Ireland", "admin_district": "Belfast", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Paul Jenkinson", "role": "chief executive; director from 2016-12-09", "from": null, "source": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645/officers" } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 10000000, "currency": "GBP", "date": "2025-11-28", "detail": "Series A, Beach Equity and White Cloud (single source)", "raw": "funding_round: 10000000 GBP 2025-11-28 — Series A, Beach Equity and White Cloud (single source)", "amount_gbp": 10000000, "fx_rate": 1.0, "fx_source": "as published (GBP)", "fx_note": "", "txt": "£10m", "gbp_txt": "" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "AI implementation", "AI security and assurance" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "national security" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": "BIZ-SU-DEF-401", "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Belfast company selling an AI operating system that defence and national-security bodies run on their own systems.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/ai/belfast-sovereign-ai-firm-raises-10m-series-a-20251128", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645/officers" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/belfast-sovereign-ai-firm-raises-10m-series-a-20251128", "quotes": [ "Whitespace, an AI software solutions provider based in Belfast has secured a £10m Series A investment." ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645", "quotes": [ "WHITESPACE GLOBAL LIMITED\" \"Active\" \"9 December 2016" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NI642645/officers", "quotes": [ "JENKINSON, Paul Niall\" Director, appointed 9 December 2016" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "AI implementation", "AI security and assurance" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "Belfast (BT2 8BG)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Beach Equity" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "White Cloud" } ], "degree": 1, "related_ids": [ "BIZ-SU-DEF-401" ] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-701", "name": "Valarian", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": null, "status_detail": "Companies House shows Valarian Technologies Limited (named Worldr Technologies Limited until 2 November 2023) active on 29 October 2026.", "one_line": "A control layer that governs AI-driven systems and high-consequence operations for enterprises and governments.", "description": "UK-based sovereign infrastructure company building a control layer for high-consequence operations and AI-driven systems. UKTN reported a $50 million (£37.3 million) Series A in July 2026 led by New Enterprise Associates, with Lightbank and XTX Ventures, naming Max Buchan as chief executive and co-founder. Companies House shows Valarian Technologies Limited, incorporated November 2019 as Worldr Technologies Limited and renamed in November 2023, active, with a London registered office and Buchan a director since incorporation.", "uk_status": "uk", "company": { "ch_number": "12295525", "registered_office": "Unit 4.04, 175 High Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, London, England, WC1V 7AA", "incorporated": "2019-11-04", "legal_form": "ltd", "owner_or_acquirer": null, "headcount": null, "ch_number_clean": "12295525", "companies_house_url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12295525", "ch_note": null }, "place": { "text": "London (WC1V 7AA; lat/lng null)", "postcode": "WC1V 7AA", "lat": 51.515849, "lng": -0.125219, "region": "England: London", "admin_district": "Camden", "geocoded": "postcodes.io" }, "people": [ { "name": "Max Buchan", "role": "co-founder and chief executive (2026); director since 2019-11-04", "from": null, "source": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12295525/officers" } ], "money": [ { "kind": "funding_round", "amount": 50000000, "currency": "USD", "date": "2026-07-15", "detail": "Series A led by New Enterprise Associates (single source)", "raw": "funding_round: 50000000 USD 2026-07-15 — Series A led by New Enterprise Associates (single source)", "amount_gbp": 37094740, "fx_rate": 1.3479, "fx_source": "Bank of England daily spot rate (series XUDLUSS, XUDLERS), US$1.3479 per £ on 2026-07-15", "fx_date": "2026-07-15", "fx_note": "", "txt": "US$50m", "gbp_txt": "£37.1m" } ], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [ "AI security and assurance", "AI infrastructure" ], "sectors": [ "defence", "enterprise security", "sovereign infrastructure" ], "confidence": "verified", "checked": "2026-10-29", "as_of": "2026-10-29", "applied": null, "held": [], "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "A control layer that governs AI-driven systems and high-consequence operations for enterprises and governments.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.uktech.news/ai/ai-infrastructure-firm-valarian-raises-37-3m-20260715", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12295525", "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12295525/officers" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.uktech.news/ai/ai-infrastructure-firm-valarian-raises-37-3m-20260715", "quotes": [ "Valarian has closed a $50m (£37.3m) Series A funding round led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA).", "UK-based sovereign infrastructure company" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": true, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12295525", "quotes": [ "VALARIAN TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED", "Active", "WORLDR TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED 04 Nov 2019 - 02 Nov 2023" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12295525/officers", "quotes": [ "BUCHAN, Maximilian Alastair", "Director", "4 November 2019" ], "accessed": "2026-10-29", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [ "AI security and assurance", "AI infrastructure" ], "one_source": false, "confidence_raw": "verified", "depts": [ { "dept": "defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": "London (WC1V 7AA; lat/lng null)", "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "id": "BIZ-INV-044", "name": "XTX Ventures", "page": "investors", "href": "../../investors/#org=BIZ-INV-044", "page_label": "Investors" } ], "label_links": [ { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "New Enterprise Associates" }, { "kind": "funded_by", "name": "Lightbank" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-2001", "name": "AmorphiQ", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026 (cohort year)", "status_detail": null, "one_line": "Uses AI with a quantum dynamic engine to analyse contested electromagnetic environments; NATO DIANA 2026 cohort.", "description": null, "uk_status": "uk", "company": null, "place": null, "people": [], "money": [], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [], "sectors": [], "confidence": "single_source", "checked": "2026-10-30", "as_of": "2026-10-30", "applied": null, "held": null, "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Uses AI with a quantum dynamic engine to analyse contested electromagnetic environments; NATO DIANA 2026 cohort.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html", "quotes": [ "AI with a quantum dynamic engine to analyse complex contested EM space" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [], "one_source": true, "confidence_raw": "single_source", "depts": [ { "dept": "Defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": null, "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [], "label_links": [ { "kind": "member_of", "name": "NATO DIANA 2026 cohort" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-2002", "name": "DATAMBIT Limited", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026 (cohort year)", "status_detail": null, "one_line": "AI deepfake detection to protect operational integrity and decision-making; NATO DIANA 2026 cohort (data-assisted decision making).", "description": null, "uk_status": "uk", "company": null, "place": null, "people": [], "money": [], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [], "sectors": [], "confidence": "single_source", "checked": "2026-10-30", "as_of": "2026-10-30", "applied": null, "held": null, "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "AI deepfake detection to protect operational integrity and decision-making; NATO DIANA 2026 cohort (data-assisted decision making).", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html", "quotes": [ "AI deepfake detection securing operational integrity and strengthening strategic decisions" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [], "one_source": true, "confidence_raw": "single_source", "depts": [ { "dept": "Defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": null, "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [], "label_links": [ { "kind": "member_of", "name": "NATO DIANA 2026 cohort" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-2003", "name": "Neuron Innovations", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026 (cohort year)", "status_detail": null, "one_line": "Secure edge infrastructure for autonomous communication and AI coordination; NATO DIANA 2026 cohort (advanced communications).", "description": null, "uk_status": "uk", "company": null, "place": null, "people": [], "money": [], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [], "sectors": [], "confidence": "single_source", "checked": "2026-10-30", "as_of": "2026-10-30", "applied": null, "held": null, "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Secure edge infrastructure for autonomous communication and AI coordination; NATO DIANA 2026 cohort (advanced communications).", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html", "quotes": [ "Secure Edge infrastructure for autonomous communication and AI coordination" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [], "one_source": true, "confidence_raw": "single_source", "depts": [ { "dept": "Defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": null, "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [], "label_links": [ { "kind": "member_of", "name": "NATO DIANA 2026 cohort" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] }, { "id": "BIZ-SU-DEF-2008", "name": "JET Connectivity", "bucket": "co", "status": "active", "status_date": "2026-05-29", "status_detail": null, "one_line": "Builds a sovereign, AI-driven 5G mesh network for contested or denied environments; NATO DIANA 2026 cohort and Mission Track selection.", "description": null, "uk_status": "uk", "company": null, "place": null, "people": [], "money": [], "site": null, "product": null, "dsit_domains": [], "sectors": [], "confidence": "single_source", "checked": "2026-10-30", "as_of": "2026-10-30", "applied": null, "held": null, "same_as": null, "package1_id": null, "type": "Companies", "category": "defence", "function": "Builds a sovereign, AI-driven 5G mesh network for contested or denied environments; NATO DIANA 2026 cohort and Mission Track selection.", "affiliation": "Start-ups", "sources": [ "https://www.diana.nato.int/connect/nato-diana-announces-five-innovators-selected-for-mission-track-2.html", "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html" ], "source_quotes": [ { "url": "https://www.diana.nato.int/connect/nato-diana-announces-five-innovators-selected-for-mission-track-2.html", "quotes": [ "Sovereign, AI-driven 5G mesh solution for contested, denied, or compromised environments." ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": false, "amendment": false }, { "url": "https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html", "quotes": [ "Provide, cognitive 5G/6G with integrated access and backhaul with position, navigation and timing" ], "accessed": "2026-10-30", "trade": false, "amendment": false } ], "website": [], "colleges": [], "topics": [], "one_source": true, "confidence_raw": "single_source", "depts": [ { "dept": "Defence", "div": "defence" } ], "div_label": "Defence", "location": null, "status_group": "active", "ext_links": [], "label_links": [ { "kind": "member_of", "name": "NATO DIANA 2026 cohort" } ], "degree": 0, "related_ids": [] } ], "links": [ { "source": "BIZ-SU-DEF-013", "target": "BIZ-SU-DEF-014", "kind": "partner_of", "evidence": "BIZ-SU-DEF-013 links: partner_of → Skyral" }, { "source": "BIZ-SU-DEF-013", "target": "BIZ-SU-DEF-015", "kind": "partner_of", "evidence": "BIZ-SU-DEF-013 links: partner_of → Sintela" }, { "source": "BIZ-SU-DEF-014", "target": "BIZ-SU-DEF-015", "kind": "partner_of", "evidence": "BIZ-SU-DEF-014 links: partner_of → Sintela" }, { "source": "BIZ-SU-DEF-015", "target": "BIZ-SU-DEF-014", "kind": "partner_of", "evidence": "BIZ-SU-DEF-015 links: partner_of → Skyral" }, { "source": "BIZ-SU-DEF-604", "target": "BIZ-SU-DEF-401", "kind": "same_as", "evidence": "BIZ-SU-DEF-604 links: same_as → Whitespace" } ], "placement_method": { "by_sub_page_or_type": 25 } }