Neurolabs Raises $7.8M Series A to Advance Visual AI for Retail

Neurolabs, an Edinburgh-founded deeptech company specialising in Image Recognition as a Service (IRaaS), has secured $7.8 million (£5.8 million) in Series A funding. The round was led by Nauta Capital, with continued backing from LAUNCHub, Lunar Ventures, and Techstart. This brings the total funding raised by the company to over $12 million.

The funding will be used to scale Neurolabs’ Visual AI platform, which supports Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands in streamlining retail execution through real-time image recognition. Using a smartphone, field teams can capture in-store images and convert them into actionable product insights within seconds. The technology is reported to reduce field operational costs by up to 32% and cut product onboarding time by 93%.

CEO and co-founder Paul Pop stated that the investment will help Neurolabs “solve the $800 billion problem of inefficiencies in CPG supply chains,” adding that the company will expand its computer vision engineering team and accelerate its commercial growth across the UK, Europe, and the US.

Neurolabs’ clientele includes a range of global CPG brands and retailers, who use its Visual AI to enhance on-shelf availability and modernise field operations. Acting as an infrastructure layer within the enterprise tech stack, the solution is designed for fast deployment and scalability.

Commenting on the round, Carles Ferrer, General Partner at Nauta, said: “The commercial traction Neurolabs has shown—combined with its robust technology and team—stood out to us. Their use of synthetic data pipelines is helping major CPG brands integrate AI in a meaningful way.”

The announcement follows Neurolabs' recent inclusion on Sifted’s list of the fastest-growing startups in the UK & Ireland, where it was ranked as the top deeptech company and 16th overall.

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Cantarus Acquires FlexRM to Strengthen CRM and Digital Experience Offering

Manchester-based full-service digital agency Cantarus has acquired UK CRM integrator and Dean Terry and Lee Adams led FlexRM in a move aimed at delivering a more unified approach to digital transformation. The acquisition enables Cantarus to offer a fully integrated service combining CRM with its existing digital experience capabilities, including web and app development, digital publishing, community platforms, branding, and data services.

The acquisition builds on a long-standing partnership between the two firms and is intended to help organisations, particularly membership bodies, better engage their audiences across increasingly complex digital and physical touchpoints.

Cantarus CEO Lee Adams highlighted the growing challenge of orchestrating consistent, personalised communication across channels, saying:

“People expect extraordinary, personalised and consistent interactions… excellent communication has become increasingly difficult to achieve, yet ever more vital for our clients.”

Steven Madden, Commercial Director and Co-founder of FlexRM, added:

“The need for full integration has become more and more profound and urgent for clients, and is one of the key reasons why we have joined the Cantarus fold.”

Cantarus works with clients including the British Army, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and the British Medical Association (BMA). According to the MemberWise 2023-24 Digital Excellence Report, only 12% of membership organisations have fully integrated business systems—a gap Cantarus aims to close.

No roles will be cut following the acquisition, and both companies anticipate growing their teams in the near term. FlexRM’s founders will retain shareholdings in the combined entity.

COO Mike Cundall described the move as positioning Cantarus as “the leading digital and CRM partner to deliver integrated experiences that drive engagement, new customer wins and retention, and long-term resilience.”

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Brightsolid Acquires Synergi to Expand National Reach and Microsoft Capabilities

In a move aimed at strengthening its position in the UK’s cloud and IT services market, Dundee-based Brightsolid has acquired Synergi, a Gateshead-headquartered Microsoft partner known for delivering automation, cyber security, and digital workplace solutions. The acquisition adds nearly 60 staff to Brightsolid’s operations and brings Synergi’s broad client base—which includes Princes, Arriva, and NHS Highland—into the fold.

Brightsolid, part of publishing group DC Thomson, has long been a key player in cloud, colocation, and cyber resilience, with clients ranging from Scottish councils to major energy and education organisations. The addition of Synergi marks a strategic extension into Microsoft-centric service delivery and application modernisation.

While terms of the deal remain undisclosed, both companies have confirmed Synergi will retain its brand identity post-acquisition. Leadership from both firms cited shared culture and complementary capabilities as central to the tie-up.

Elaine Maddison, CEO of Brightsolid, described the acquisition as a natural step in the company’s growth ambitions, noting Synergi’s “brilliant cultural fit.” Synergi CEO Peter Joynson echoed the sentiment, citing the deal as the right opportunity to scale alongside a like-minded partner.

The deal underscores a growing trend of regional tech consolidation in the UK as cloud and digital transformation firms look to broaden offerings and accelerate scale.

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Capably Secures $4M Seed Funding for AI-Powered Business Automation

London-based Capably has raised $4 million in Seed funding to accelerate the adoption of its innovative AI-powered business automation platform. Led by Boost Capital Partners, the round also saw participation from several European and US investors, including Concept Ventures, Sure Valley Ventures, and Haatch.

Capably aims to bridge the gap between traditional Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and next-gen AI “agent” technologies. While traditional RPA has faced challenges in scaling for real-world use, Capably’s platform combines the structured efficiency of RPA with the adaptability of AI, enabling businesses to automate complex workflows across departments such as marketing, finance, and operations.

The platform’s “agentic” nature allows it to autonomously handle tasks in the background, offering a reliable solution for organisations looking to streamline operations without sacrificing flexibility. Capably’s approach targets the high failure rate among companies experimenting with AI, with over 70% of businesses struggling to derive scalable value from automation tools.

Co-founded by Rafa Pulido and Nicolas Trésegnie, Capably draws on their experience scaling startups, notably SuperAwesome, which was acquired by Epic Games in 2020. The company’s raise comes at a time of increasing interest in intelligent automation, as mid-sized businesses seek user-friendly, low-barrier AI solutions that don’t require deep technical expertise.

According to analysts, AI-powered platforms are reinvigorating enterprise interest in automation, especially in companies lacking in-house technical talent. Capably’s user-friendly platform, requiring no training, is positioned to capitalise on this trend by offering businesses a seamless entry point into AI-powered productivity.

Benjamin Torrero, Principal at Boost Capital Partners, commented:

“Capably is leading the shift in how businesses delegate work to AI, and we’re excited to support their efforts in redefining productivity.”

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