News

'Tech-for-good' enterprise, The Kindness of Strangers Ltd, has secured a £250,000 loan from The British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund via appointed fund manager, The FSE Group, to support the growth of the business.  

The Kindness of Strangers offers tailored, cost-effective fundraising solutions designed to level the playing field for smaller, volunteer-run non-profit organisations. By providing access to technology and guidance previously only affordable to larger charities, the business is helping to transform the fundraising landscape for grassroots causes. 

FSE has been working with The Kindness of Strangers since 2023 when it provided equity investment from the British Business Bank's Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund. Since then, the business has completed the development of its platform for the Church of England, Cornerstone, which is now being used by over 1000 churches. It has also developed a platform with the Parish Giving Scheme, which is now ready to be rolled out as a white-label product to small charities across all sectors. 

Mathew Neville, CEO of The Kindness of Strangers, said: "This new funding is a vital catalyst for our next phase of growth. It will enable us to expand our team and amplify our marketing efforts, ensuring that more small charities gain access to the technology and support they need. As a young business that has focused heavily on technology development, traditional high-street lending isn’t a viable option. This South West Investment Fund loan provides the crucial financial backing to accelerate our mission." 

Rob Ward, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, added: "The Kindness of Strangers has demonstrated impressive progress in developing platforms that truly address the needs of the non-profit sector. This loan will empower the business to scale its operations, strengthen internal capacity, and fully capitalise on the exciting opportunities ahead. We’re proud to support a company that is making technology accessible to smaller charities and helping them thrive." 

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager, from the British Business Bank said: "This £250,000 South West Investment Fund loan, building on earlier support via our Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund, will help The Kindness of Strangers scale a platform that has harnessed technology to provide smaller non-profits with the tools they need to fundraise effectively. That in turn can help these charities have a hugely positive impact on their communities." 

In 2023, the global charity software market was valued at approximately USD 4.6 billion, with forecasts suggesting it could nearly double to USD 9.8 billion by 20321. This growth reflects a wider shift across the non-profit sector, where organisations are embracing digital tools to improve transparency, efficiency, and engagement. As the non-profit sector continues to expand its reach and impact, the need for scalable, tech-driven infrastructure is seen as increasingly vital, driving sustained demand for charity software worldwide. 

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. 

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance. 

Cornish-based independent production company Bosena has secured a six-figure loan from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund, via appointed fund manager The FSE Group, to support the continued growth of its portfolio of high-end TV and film projects. 

Bosena’s latest film, ROSE OF NEVADA, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and stars BAFTA nominees George MacKay (1917) and Callum Turner (Masters of the Air), has been garnering 5-star reviews with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

The FSE Group has been working with Bosena since 2021, previously providing funding from the British Business Bank's Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund. Since then, the company has grown significantly, forging key relationships with industry leaders including Film4 and the British Film Institute (BFI), both of whom continue to back Bosena’s creative vision.  

The latest funding will support key growth activities, including website and product development, staff expansion, and broader strategic investment to enable the business to capitalise on its recent success. 

“We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from The FSE Group,” said Denzil Monk, CEO of Bosena. “This South West Investment Fund loan will allow us to strengthen our core team and infrastructure so that we can deliver ambitious, larger-scale projects with confidence. We’re proud to create work that reflects Cornwall’s unique cultural landscape while engaging with global audiences on the most urgent and relevant issues of our time.” 

Hannah Sprague, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: “Denzil and the Bosena team have demonstrated a compelling combination of creative excellence and commercial acumen. Their clear vision, proven track record, and growing pipeline of high-end TV projects make this a very exciting business to support. We’re delighted to continue our partnership as they scale the business.” 

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager, from the British Business Bank said: "Having previously backed Bosena through one of our inaugural regional funds, we're pleased to see our South West Investment Fund support them on their continued growth journey. The business is attracting top-class talent to produce award-winning content for a global marketplace, and this new investment will allow them to build on that success." 

According to the BFI1, the UK’s independent film and high-end TV production sector is experiencing a period of dynamic growth, playing a major role in fuelling creative diversity and innovation. With global streamers, broadcasters, and public funders seeking distinctive voices and untold stories, companies like Bosena – rooted in local culture but with international relevance – are seen as well-placed to seize this expanding market opportunity.  

As Bosena looks ahead to delivering new projects through 2025/26 and beyond, the company says it will continue to invest in platforming underrepresented stories and voices. Its award-winning work in both English and the Cornish language is increasingly drawing attention from global audiences and collaborators, further cementing Cornwall’s reputation as a centre for world-class screen content. 

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. 

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance. 

Exeter-based sustainable travel business STAXY has secured equity funding from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund, via appointed ​​Fund Manager, The FSE Group. The investment is part of a wider funding round that includes participation from Angel Investors Bristol.  

The funding will support STAXY as it accelerates through its ​​early growth phase, secures key commercial contracts, and further develops its proprietary technology ahead of a subsequent funding round. 

Founded in 2020 by friends from the University of Exeter and University of Bath, ​​​​​​STAXY is reshaping how people travel across sport, events, business and education. The AI-driven business was born out of a desire to make travel to ​​​​events more affordable, convenient, safe and sustainable, with an initial focus on the sports sector. The company’s flagship solution is already in use with Aston Villa F.C., and a new partnership is due to launch with the University of Manchester this month. 

The sporting world is increasingly under pressure to introduce measures to improve sustainability. Football alone accounts for 30 million tonnes of annual carbon emissions globally1, and across major sporting events fan travel represents the single largest contributor to their environmental impact2.  

​​​STAXY is tackling this challenge head-on with a smart travel platform that integrates directly into club apps and websites, giving fans access to cost-effective, green, and convenient travel options, while providing sports clubs and event organisers with invaluable data to help them create smarter, more sustainable travel strategies. 

“Travel to events is often expensive, inefficient, and environmentally damaging,” said Will Line, CEO and Co-founder of STAXY. “STAXY exists to change that. Our technology gives fans better options and clubs better data. With this new investment, we’ll be able to build on our early momentum, deepen our technology offering, and scale our impact across the events industry.” 

STAXY’s platform uses GPS and motion data from mobile devices, enhanced by Machine Learning, to provide clubs and event organisers with actionable travel insights. A bespoke sustainability dashboard delivers metrics on emissions, travel patterns, distance and cost, enabling better planning, accountability, and measurable progress towards net-zero goals. 

Matt Browning, Investment Manager at The FSE Group commented: “STAXY has developed a proven product that is already gaining strong traction with top-tier football clubs and the feedback from early customers is very positive. The committed and forward-thinking management team is supported by investors who are well-respected professionals in the industry. With a scalable business model and a clear path to growth, we’re excited to be supporting them at this critical stage of their journey.” 

Paul Jones, Senior Investment Manager, from the British Business Bank, said: “STAXY is the latest example of a tech-driven business in the region that has leveraged AI and data analytics to create a new opportunity. Their sustainable travel platform is helping organisations reduce both their costs and carbon footprint, and with South West Investment Fund support we look forward to seeing their continued growth.” 

Ben Cooper, Angel Investors Bristol, added: “We are delighted to support STAXY as they scale their innovative platform. Their mission to make event travel more sustainable, affordable, and efficient directly aligns with our focus on backing ambitious founders who are solving real-world problems with scalable technology. With early traction across leading football clubs and universities, STAXY is well-positioned to become a game-changer in sustainable travel, and we look forward to supporting the team as they accelerate their growth.” 

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. 

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance. 

Taunton-based education technology company Schools BI has secured a £150,000 loan from the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund, via appointed fund manager The FSE Group, to support its continued growth and product development.

Schools BI provides data analytics solutions to schools and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), enabling them to turn fragmented data into actionable insights. With a user base of around 300 schools across 40 Trusts, alongside 30 independent schools and 35 international institutions spanning the Middle East, UAE and US, Schools BI is fast becoming a key player in the EdTech space.

The bespoke Schools BI platform integrates with existing education systems to collate and visualise data from across areas such as student performance, attendance, behaviour, HR, enrolment trends and financials. It enables senior leadership teams and operational staff to make smarter, faster, and more strategic decisions all from a single dashboard.

The funding from The FSE Group will allow Schools BI to invest in software development, platform enhancements, and the recruitment of additional staff to meet growing demand, both in the UK and internationally.

Rhys Gwillym, Founder and CEO of Schools BI, said: “This funding comes at a crucial time as we continue to scale and evolve our platform. Our mission has always been to improve outcomes by equipping school leaders with intelligent, accessible insights. With demand growing across the UK and internationally, particularly in the English-speaking education market, we are excited to expand our team and accelerate our development roadmap.”

With senior members of the management team having worked as teachers or school leaders, Schools BI has built a reputation for understanding the nuanced challenges of school data management a key USP that continues to fuel its word-of-mouth growth and client retention.

Amanda Sheppard, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: “Schools BI has developed a solution that addresses a real and growing need within the education sector both in the UK and internationally. Rhys and his team bring not only strong technical capability but also deep sector knowledge, which is reflected in their product and their client relationships. We’re delighted to support their growth and look forward to seeing their continued success in the global EdTech market.”

Paul Jones from the British Business Bank said: "Schools BI is a good example of how South West businesses are using data and technology to make a real difference in their sectors. This isn’t just clever tech, it is technology built by people who know education. That combination of insight and innovation is helping them scale with confidence and we're delighted that our South West Investment Fund Fund is supporting their growth."

With the global English-language international school market growing by 7% year-on-year, Schools BI says it isis well-positioned to scale its reach and offer measurable value to more educational institutions worldwide.

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million.

The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.

Cambridge based Spotta, a multi-award winning provider of integrated systems for insect pest management, has secured equity investment, part-funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, via The FSE Group.

The investment is part of a £3.4 million funding round advancing Spotta's proprietary Artificial Intelligence and ultra-low-power Internet of Things (IoT) technology, which aims to solve the £320billion global problem of insect pests. The funding will play a crucial role in accelerating Spotta’s commercial expansion in three verticals across more than 20 countries.

Spotta's technology combines IoT and AI to deliver real-time, actionable insights for sectors adversely affected by insect pests. The company has already secured major hotel brands as customers with its Bed Pods deployed across 10000+ hotel rooms. Its 99% renewal rate in the sector is testament to the effectiveness of the technology, with a 94% detection success rate, allowing customers to achieve a 75% reduction in new bed bug issues within a year.

In agriculture, Spotta is helping farmers manage an existential threat posed by invasive pests. Deployed within crops, Spotta’s ultra-low power IoT Pods provide automatic 24/7 insect detection with information transmitted wirelessly to an AI console, enabling growers to take early action.

"Securing this investment marks a pivotal moment for Spotta," said Robert Fryers, Co-founder and CEO of Spotta. "Our technology has the potential to transform insect pest management. We have a solution that can help anywhere that insects cause issues, from helping hotels address the age-old problem of Bed Bugs, to agriculture, where we are able to increase yields by 10% whilst halving pesticide use. We are excited about the future and the positive impact our solutions will have on the environment and industry efficiency."

The company's technology not only addresses critical industry pain points but also contributes to global decarbonisation efforts. With agriculture accounting for 10% of global CO2 emissions, Spotta's ability to halve the resources consumed by insect pests could significantly reduce environmental impact.

Paul Lyristis, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, commented: "Spotta's unique combination of patented technology, robust business model, and experienced management team positions them as early leaders in their field. They have established key relationships in their target sectors - hotels, date palm production and horticultural fruit farming and we are delighted to support their growth and innovation journey."

Founded in 2018, Spotta continues to expand its market reach, envisioning growth to a £40 million revenue business by 2028. It’s scalable platform technology has the potential to enable a huge increase in productivity across a range of insect-affected markets including agriculture, forestry, textiles, and hospitality.