Nisien.AI Secures Key Investment from British Business Bank
Deal News | Mar 04, 2025 | Business Cloud
Cardiff-based AI startup Nisien.AI has secured investment from the British Business Bank's £130m Investment Fund for Wales, administered by Foresight Group and the Development Bank of Wales. Founded by Professors Matt Williams and Pete Burnap, the company aims to innovate in the online safety sector with its AI product HERO Detect. This funding will facilitate the startup's expansion and hiring, positioning it to address online harms with leading-edge technology. The startup is engaging with major social media platforms and global brands, highlighting its significance in the industry. Under the guidance of experienced chair Tony Stockham and a leadership team that includes former executives from Wealthify and HateLab, Nisien.AI is poised for substantial growth. The introduction of the Online Safety Act presents further opportunities for expansion in this sector.
Sectors
- Artificial Intelligence
- Financial Services
- Online Safety and Content Moderation
Geography
- United Kingdom – The funding and the company's operations are based in the UK, specifically leveraging funds directed at Welsh businesses.
- Wales – Nisien.AI is based in Cardiff, Wales, and the funding is part of the Investment Fund for Wales.
Industry
- Artificial Intelligence – Nisien.AI operates within the Artificial Intelligence industry, developing AI-powered tools to enhance online safety.
- Financial Services – The involvement of British Business Bank, Foresight Group, and Development Bank of Wales categorizes this as a financial services engagement, focusing on investment and funding.
- Online Safety and Content Moderation – Nisien.AI's mission to combat online harms places it in the online safety and content moderation sector.
Financials
- £130m – Total Investment Fund for Wales from which Nisien.AI's funding is derived.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nisien.AI | Target Company | Company | An AI startup focusing on detecting and responding to online harms. |
| British Business Bank | Investor | Company | A UK governmental economic development bank involved in the deal as a funding source. |
| Foresight Group | Investor | Company | An investment group facilitating the funding as a partner in the venture. |
| Development Bank of Wales | Investor | Company | Participated alongside Foresight Group in investing in Nisien.AI. |
| Matt Williams | Founder and Chief Science Officer | Person | Co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Nisien.AI, also an academic at Cardiff University. |
| Pete Burnap | Founder and Chief AI Officer | Person | Co-founder and Chief AI Officer at Nisien.AI, also an academic at Cardiff University. |
| Tony Stockham | Chairman | Person | An experienced chair introduced to Nisien.AI by Foresight. |
| Lee Gainer | CEO | Person | The CEO of Nisien.AI with previous experience as CFO at Wealthify. |
| Dean Doyle | COO | Person | COO of Nisien.AI and former head of delivery at HateLab. |
| Rhodri Hewitson | Head of Engineering | Person | Head of Engineering at Nisien.AI, previously a principal engineer at AM Digital. |
| Ruby Godrich | Investment Manager | Person | Investment Manager at Foresight, involved in the investment deal. |