Amotio Secures Six-Figure Pre-Seed Round Backed by the Development Bank of Wales
Deal News | Jul 09, 2025 | EIN
In a dynamic funding landscape across Wales, a number of firms from diverse sectors have raised substantial investments to fuel their growth and technological advancement. Leading the charge is Cwmbran-based medtech venture Amotio, which secured a £810,000 pre-seed funding round, with the Development Bank of Wales contributing £500,000. Amotio aims to utilize the funding to enhance its technology for improving post-operative joint-surgery care. Further investment into the venture came from NLC Health Ventures and Orthopaedic Research UK. Meanwhile, B Fit Group, a fitness company, expanded its reach by acquiring Hunt Fitness to enhance its personal training offerings. In another significant move, Menzies LLP acquired Cardiff-based Haines Watts Wales as part of its strategic growth to increase revenue. Pink Storage, meanwhile, is pursuing aggressive expansion plans, following its acquisition of StoreWise in Nottingham for £1.1m. Draig Therapeutics, a Cardiff University spinout, achieved a milestone by securing over £100m to advance its therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders, marking the largest investment for a Welsh University spinout to date. The Development Bank of Wales, in collaboration with Parkwalk Advisors, also invested in Ceryx Medical, a medtech firm pioneering advancements in pacemaker technology, demonstrating the commitment to fostering innovation in Welsh SMEs.
Sectors
- Medical Technology
- Finance and Investment
- Fitness and Wellness
- Self Storage
- Professional Services
Geography
- Wales – The majority of the investment activity and company operations are concentrated in Wales, highlighting it as a burgeoning hub for innovation in medical technology and other sectors.
- United Kingdom – The UK-wide expansion and investment strategies of companies like Pink Storage and B Fit Group reflect broader national growth trends.
Industry
- Medical Technology – Amotio, Ceryx Medical, and Draig Therapeutics are all involved in developing cutting-edge medical technologies, ranging from surgical tools to innovative pacemakers and neuropsychiatric therapies.
- Finance and Investment – The significant investments by the Development Bank of Wales, NLC Health Ventures, and others highlight the active role of financial entities in supporting innovation and growth across various sectors in Wales.
- Fitness and Wellness – B Fit Group's acquisition of Hunt Fitness emphasizes growth in the fitness and wellness industry, focusing on personal and group training for older adults.
- Self Storage – Pink Storage's acquisition of StoreWise and its expansion goals illustrate the growth dynamics within the self-storage industry.
- Professional Services – Menzies LLP's acquisition of Haines Watts Wales indicates growth and consolidation trends within the professional services and accountancy sectors.
Financials
- £810,000 – The total amount raised in the funding round for Amotio, including a £500,000 equity investment from the Development Bank of Wales.
- £1.1m – The acquisition cost of StoreWise by Pink Storage, with an additional £370,000 invested for upgrades.
- £107m – The amount of funding raised by Draig Therapeutics for advancing its drug candidates for neuropsychiatric disorders.
- £5m – The funding round for Ceryx Medical to advance its pacemaker technology.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amotio | Target Company | Company | A medtech startup based in Cwmbran focused on post-operative care technologies. |
| Development Bank of Wales | Lead Investor | Company | A major financial institution supporting SMEs in Wales through investment and funding. |
| NLC Health Ventures | Co-Investor | Company | A venture capital fund specializing in healthcare innovations, involved in co-investing with Amotio. |
| Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK) | Co-Investor | Charity | A charity focusing on research in orthopaedics, providing funding support for Amotio. |
| B Fit Group | Acquiring Company | Company | A fitness venture focused on training programs for individuals over 40 years old. |
| Hunt Fitness | Target Company | Company | A fitness center in Leighton Buzzard acquired by B Fit Group. |
| Menzies LLP | Acquiring Company | Company | An accountancy and advisory firm expanding its operations through acquisitions. |
| Haines Watts Wales | Target Company | Company | An accountancy and business advisory firm in Cardiff merged with Menzies LLP. |
| Pink Storage | Acquiring Company | Company | Fast-growing self-storage venture based in Cardiff. |
| StoreWise | Target Company | Company | A self-storage facility in Nottingham acquired by Pink Storage. |
| Draig Therapeutics | Target Company | Company | A Cardiff University spinout focusing on therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders. |
| Access Biotechnology | Lead Investor | Company | A venture capital firm leading a significant funding round for Draig Therapeutics. |
| Ceryx Medical | Target Company | Company | A medtech firm innovating in pacemaker technology, headquartered in Cardiff. |
| Parkwalk Advisors | Lead Investor | Company | An investment firm specializing in university spinouts, co-leading a round for Ceryx Medical. |