Praetura Ventures Unveils Second PraeSeed Cohort Backed by NPIF II
Funding | Jun 11, 2025 | praetura ventures
Praetura Ventures has announced its plans to invest up to £1.4 million in its PraeSeed programme this year, targeting northern UK startups. Backed by the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), PraeSeed aims to fill the funding gap for early-stage and pre-revenue businesses in the region. The programme selects 12 startups from over 200 applications, providing mentorship and workshops to accelerate growth, and culminating in a showcase event with co-investors. This year’s cohort features a diverse range of sectors, including agricultural tech and renewable energy. With a goal to invest around £6 million over five years, the programme strengthens the British Business Bank's vision to enhance economic growth in the North.
Sectors
- Venture Capital
- Technology
- Finance
Geography
- United Kingdom – The article focuses on investments in the northern regions of the UK, specifically in areas like Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester.
Industry
- Venture Capital – The article discusses Praetura Ventures' investment activities which are core to the venture capital industry's function of funding early-stage companies.
- Technology – Many of the startups in the PraeSeed programme belong to technological sectors such as sleep tech and agricultural tech.
- Finance – The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is a financial instrument used to provide loans and equity investments, demonstrating the article’s relevance to the finance sector.
Financials
- £1.4 million – The amount of investment Praetura Ventures plans to make in northern startups through the PraeSeed programme this year.
- £6 million – The total investment PraeSeed plans over five years as part of its long-term strategy.
- £2.8 million – The potential cumulative investment in startups across the North following the completion of the current programme cycle.
- £660 million – The total size of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, which supports a variety of financial and equity investments.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Praetura Ventures | Investor | Company | A venture capital firm managing the PraeSeed programme to invest in northern UK startups. |
| Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) | Funding Partner | Company | A fund providing financial backing and support for the PraeSeed programme to boost economic growth in Northern England. |
| Jess Jackson | Programme Lead | Person | Leads the PraeSeed programme, coordinating the investment and mentorship efforts. |
| Sue Barnard | Senior Investment Manager | Person | A Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank, which oversees NPIF II’s operations and investments. |
| British Business Bank | Overseer | Government | A government-owned bank managing funds like NPIF II to support small and medium enterprises. |
| ADTechOptima, AUDITSU, Biohabit, Crediflow AI, Future Greens, Local Energy Systems, Microneedle Solutions, NeuWave Technologies, Plato, PneuMonitor, Respiosa and Spotlight Health | Participating Startups | Companies | The 12 startups selected for this year's PraeSeed programme cohort. |