Venture Forward Delivers Investment-Ready Talent (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Manchester – GC Angels channeled £1.87 million into four dynamic companies last March, blending fresh accelerator graduates with established portfolio performers. As the venture capital arm of the Growth Company, the firm underscored its dedication to underrepresented founders through the Innovate UK-backed Venture Forward programme. These investments spanned wellness innovations, property technology, educational tools, and pet care solutions, signaling robust momentum in the Northern startup ecosystem.[1][2]
Venture Forward Delivers Investment-Ready Talent
Two standout deals traced back to the inaugural Venture Forward cohort, which wrapped up in Manchester from October to December 2025. This programme equipped underrepresented founders across the North with essential skills for their debut institutional funding rounds. Participants gained expertise in fundraising strategies, financial modeling, and investor networking, propelling nine companies to raise over £2.5 million collectively.[3]
GC Angels committed a six-figure sum to Breezemove within its £750,000 seed round. The proptech platform aims to overhaul the UK home-buying experience by streamlining processes for buyers and sellers alike. Meanwhile, the firm led a £345,000 round for MissionC, a premium wellness brand featuring FSA-regulated CBD, functional mushroom, and shilajit products. These items already grace shelves at high-end retailers like Selfridges and Holland & Barrett, positioning the company for accelerated expansion.[1]
Key Investments at a Glance
The March portfolio showcased GC Angels’ strategic breadth. Investors witnessed a mix of seed-stage breakthroughs and growth-stage reinforcements, each tailored to Northern market needs.
| Company | Sector | Investment Details |
|---|---|---|
| Breezemove | Proptech | Six-figure stake in £750,000 seed round (Venture Forward) |
| MissionC | Wellness | £345,000 led by GC Angels (Venture Forward) |
| OurPetsLife | Pet Retail | £270,000 follow-on |
| Gaia Learning | Edtech | £400,000 follow-on with NESTA and angels |
This lineup totaled precisely £1.87 million in supported funding. Breezemove and MissionC represented accelerator triumphs, while the others built on prior successes.[2]
Sustaining Momentum in Existing Ventures
GC Angels also reinforced two portfolio stalwarts. OurPetsLife received £270,000 to scale its premium pet products lineup. Founders Elliot Roxby and Amman Ahmed, the latter an exited entrepreneur from Music for Pets, drove the retailer’s growth trajectory.
Gaia Learning secured £400,000 alongside NESTA and a syndicate of angels. The edtech platform targets children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), addressing a critical gap in accessible learning resources. These follow-on infusions enabled both firms to navigate beyond initial hurdles toward sustainable scaling.[3]
A Commitment to Diversity and Pipeline Strength
The second Venture Forward cohort concluded in Leeds during early April, boasting 55 percent ethnic minority founders and 55 percent female-led teams. This composition reinforced the programme’s mission to democratize investment access in the North. GC Angels delivered workshops on term sheets, valuations, and pitch refinement, fostering direct paths to capital.[4]
Marc Shirman, head of equity investment at GC Angels, highlighted the impact. “Through the Venture Forward programme, GC Angels is demonstrating its value as a route to identifying and supporting exceptional underrepresented founders across the North,” he said. “These investments highlight the strength of the pipeline we are building and the quality of businesses emerging from the programme, alongside the continued progress of our wider portfolio.”[1]
Key Takeaways
- Venture Forward propelled two firms to funding, contributing to £2.5m+ raised by its first cohort.
- Investments covered proptech, wellness, pet retail, and edtech, totaling £1.87m.
- Second cohort emphasized diversity, with strong representation from ethnic minorities and women.
GC Angels’ March efforts not only injected vital capital but also amplified underrepresented voices in Northern innovation. As the pipeline matures, expect more breakthroughs from this targeted ecosystem. What do you think about these investments’ potential? Tell us in the comments.
