Tended Expands with Rail Safety Tech and £2m Backing
Deal News | May 07, 2025 | praetura ventures
Tended, a Lincoln-based start-up specializing in railway safety technology, has secured a £2 million investment from Praetura Ventures and Blackfinch Ventures. The company has developed a wearable geospatial positioning device designed to improve workplace safety for railway staff by alerting them when they leave designated safe zones. This innovative solution aims to prevent accidents and fatalities by allowing workers to remain at a safe distance from hazards. Tended's technology is being adopted by major industry players like Network Rail and Siemens Mobility, who have integrated the geofencing functionality. The recent funding will facilitate Tended's expansion into new markets, bolster its IP portfolio, and advance the next generation of its wearable device. With new board members from Praetura and Blackfinch joining, Tended is gearing up to extend its presence beyond the UK, moving into Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Netherlands. The start-up's CEO and founder, Leo Scott Smith, emphasizes the mission to eliminate preventable accidents through cutting-edge geospatial technology, supported by leading investors and partners.
Sectors
- Railway Safety Technology
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
Geography
- United Kingdom – The primary geography of the article, as Tended, Praetura Ventures, Network Rail, and Siemens Mobility are all UK-based.
- Ireland – Part of Tended's expansion plan includes entering the Irish market, partnering with Irish Rail to digitize worksites.
- Netherlands – Tended is expanding into the Netherlands, enhancing its geographic presence within the rail sector.
Industry
- Railway Safety Technology – The article focuses on Tended, a company innovating within the railway safety sector by using advanced geospatial technology to prevent worker accidents.
- Private Equity & Venture Capital – The involvement of Praetura Ventures and Blackfinch Ventures in funding Tended's growth highlights the role of private equity and venture capital in expanding innovative tech solutions.
Financials
- £2 million – Investment amount raised by Tended from Praetura Ventures and Blackfinch Ventures.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tended | Target Company | Company | A Lincoln-based start-up developing a wearable safety device for railway workers. |
| Praetura Ventures | Investor | Company | A private equity firm leading the £2m investment round in Tended. |
| Blackfinch Ventures | Investor | Company | An existing investor in Tended, participating in the £2m funding round. |
| Network Rail | Major Customer | Company | A key customer that has recently secured a contract with Tended for enhancing railway safety. |
| Siemens Mobility | Customer and Collaborator | Company | A partner and customer that integrates Tended's technology into its national processes. |
| Andy Barrow | Board Member | Person | Partner at Praetura Ventures, joining Tended's board with industry expertise. |
| Ijaz Khan | Board Member | Person | Representative from Blackfinch Ventures joining Tended's board. |
| Leo Scott Smith | CEO and Founder | Person | The CEO and founder of Tended, focusing on expanding the company's market reach. |