Cytix Raises £1.6m to Boost AI-Powered Penetration Testing

Manchester-based cybersecurity company Cytix has secured £1.6 million in a fresh funding round, aimed at expanding its client reach and strengthening its operations by deploying advanced technology for improved cybersecurity measures.

CEO Ben Armstrong underscored the importance of evolving penetration testing methods, stating, “Automated scanning technologies have transformed the way we identify and remediate most vulnerabilities. However, companies still need to rely on manual penetration testing for certain classes of vulnerability that automated tools can’t detect...Our latest funding round enables us to expand our existing A star team to tackle the problem and achieve our goal of bringing security testing up to speed with modern development". 

The funding was co-led by NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance, managed by Praetura Ventures. Michael Rees, Investment Manager at Praetura Ventures, commended Cytix's forward-thinking strategy, commenting that the North West is home to a thriving cybersecurity landscape, and Cytix is at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge solutions. 

Cytix’s client roster includes notable names such as BNVK, Protas, Netacea, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. The company is looking to double its client base within the next year and broaden its offerings to meet the demands of the enterprise market, particularly in the banking, financial services, and rapidly expanding software sectors.

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CurrentBody Acquires Tria Beauty

CurrentBody, a pioneering beauty technology company founded by Lawrence Newman and Andrew Showman, has announced the acquisition of Tria Beauty. Tria Beauty, established in 2003, is a renowned leader in at-home laser technology, offering innovative hair removal and skin rejuvenation devices.

This acquisition aligns with CurrentBody's mission to provide cutting-edge beauty technology to consumers. Tria Beauty's FDA-approved devices have earned a strong reputation in the industry, and CurrentBody expressed their excitement about the positive feedback received from Tria's customers.

The combination of CurrentBody's expertise in advanced beauty technology and Tria Beauty's pioneering laser devices is expected to drive further innovation in the beauty tech space.

Robotic Warehouse Startup Dexory Secures $80M Series B Funding

Dexory, a leading robotics company specialising in autonomous warehouse solutions with Andrei Danescu as CEO, has successfully raised $80 million (£60 million) in a Series B funding round. This latest injection of capital will fuel the company's continued growth and expansion of its innovative technology.

Founded in 2015 by Danescu, Oana Jinga & Adrian Negoita, Dexory has been at the forefront of developing fully autonomous robots capable of analysing and optimising warehouse operations. The company's proprietary technology enables robots to scan fulfillment centers, creating digital twins that provide invaluable insights into operational efficiency and performance.

DexoryView, the company's software platform, offers a user-friendly interface for visualising and managing these digital twins. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, DexoryView delivers actionable insights that help businesses drive cost savings, improve productivity, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

"We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our Series B funding round," said Andrei Danescu, CEO and co-founder of Dexory. "This significant investment validates our vision and reinforces our commitment to revolutionising the warehouse industry through cutting-edge robotics technology."

The Series B round was led by DTCP, with participation from Latitude Ventures, Wave-X, and Bootstrap Europe, as well as existing investors Atomico, Lakestar, Capnamic, and several angel investors. This latest funding brings Dexory's total capital raised to $120 million, following a previous £15 million raise in June 2024.

With the additional resources from this funding round, Dexory plans to accelerate the development of its robotic solutions, expand its customer base, and strengthen its market position. The company's focus on innovation and its ability to deliver tangible value to its customers have positioned it as a key player in the rapidly growing robotics industry.

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Leeds Digital Festival Awards Continue to Celebrate Tech Excellence with key wins

The Leeds Digital Festival Awards, a prestigious event recognising outstanding achievements in the city's tech sector, concluded this week. White Label Loyalty CEO Achille Traore emerged victorious in the Entrepreneur of the Year category. Additionally, Parallax secured the Tech Innovation of the Year award.

These wins highlight the region's thriving tech scene, with BurendoAxiologik, The Data City, Flotilla GreenTech Gathering, Audacia, ParallaxPlanet, Sportqomodo, and numerous other shortlisted companies showcasing the breadth of innovation in Leeds. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!

Dawn Unveils New Brand for Adapt and Live

In a recent move, Cheadle Hulme-based creative agency Dawn has unveiled a fresh brand identity for Adapt and Live, a charity specialising in providing tailored care solutions for individuals with specialised care needs. This rebranding marks a significant milestone for Adapt and Live, as it solidifies their identity and enhances their visibility within the community.

Led by founder and managing director David O'Hearns, himself an industry veteran with past work including Bentley Motors, Adidas, and Swiis Foster Care, Dawn's involvement with Adapt and Live comes as no surprise, given their previous work with other organisations under the Disabled Living umbrella. Their experience with projects like Hilight, Kidz 2 Adultz, and Bladder and Bowel has provided them with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by charities in this sector. By leveraging this expertise, Dawn has been able to create a brand that accurately reflects Adapt and Live's mission and values.

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Fuzzy Labs Announces Permanent Head of Engineering

Fuzzy Labs, a Manchester-based company specialising in open-source MLOps solutions, has announced that Andrew, their interim Head of Engineering, will be stepping into the role on a permanent basis. The decision follows Andrew's significant contributions during his interim period, with the company citing his positive impact on the team and ongoing projects.

Fuzzy Labs, co-founded by Matt Squire and Tom Stockton, is well-regarded for its expertise in creating flexible, client-focused MLOps solutions using open-source tools. Andrew expressed his excitement about joining the team full-time, highlighting the talented and collaborative nature of the engineering group.

As Fuzzy Labs continues to grow, the company is actively recruiting new talent to support its expanding operations.

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