BOW Secures £4m in Seed Funding for Innovative Robotics Platform
Deal News | Jan 28, 2025 | Business Cloud
BOW, a robotics software company originating from the University of Sheffield, has successfully secured a £4 million seed funding round. The investment, led by Northern Gritstone with contributions from Finance Yorkshire and Praetura Ventures, forms part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. BOW aims to simplify the programming and management of robotic systems through a universal software development kit that allows for cross-platform and cross-robot operation. This innovation is poised to reduce the complexity and cost of robotics programming, enabling a broader spectrum of application development and integration. The company has an ambitious vision to aid innovation in robotics while collaborating with manufacturers and software developers. Notably, Liz Upton, co-founder of Raspberry Pi, recently joined BOW as the board chair, signaling significant growth and strategic guidance. Participants in the funding emphasize the significance of BOW's technology as a product of the robust research ecosystem in Northern England.
Sectors
- Robotics Software
- Investment and Venture Capital
Geography
- United Kingdom – BOW is based in the UK, and the investment was led by Northern Gritstone, indicating a geographic focus on the Northern England region.
- England – The article discusses the investment activities centered around Northern England, particularly highlighting the input and impact of Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.
Industry
- Robotics Software – The article highlights BOW's focus on robotics software, emphasizing its innovation in simplifying the programming of diverse robotic systems.
- Investment and Venture Capital – The article involves seed funding round details, participation of venture capital firms, and investment strategies relating to startups in tech and robotics.
Financials
- £4 million – The amount raised in the seed funding round to accelerate BOW's innovation and growth.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOW | Target Company | Company | A robotics software company spun out of the University of Sheffield, focused on simplifying robot programming. |
| Northern Gritstone | Lead Investor | Company | An investment firm focusing on science and technology businesses in Northern England, leading the seed round. |
| Finance Yorkshire | Co-Investor | Company | A co-investor in the seed round, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II. |
| Praetura Ventures | Co-Investor | Company | Investment firm participating in the seed round, alongside Northern Gritstone and Finance Yorkshire. |
| University of Sheffield | Selling Company | Company | Parent institution from which BOW was spun out, highlighting its role in research and innovation. |
| Liz Upton | Board Chair | Person | Co-founder of Raspberry Pi, recently appointed as the chair of BOW's board. |
| Nick Thompson | CEO | Person | Current CEO of BOW, leading the company towards expansion in robotics innovation. |