Issue #192:
Today we look at the latest in North East deal flow, consider if Atom Bank is on the cusp of a major new funding round and share the ambitions of a Gateshead school's international robotics team.
Morning all, I hope you enjoyed a well-earned rest over Easter. After a short break we’re back and there’s much to get on your radar!
Deal-wise it’s great to see a healthy raise for Cognassist revealed this week. The digital health and education platform will use the injection to expand its neuro-inclusive services from the education sector into the enterprise market. Good luck!
Elsewhere we see hedgehog lab snap up Netsells, while there’s funding for a nanorobot pioneer looking to apply tech to improve how we test for prostate cancer. Moving across to Durham, there are reports beginning to circulate that Atom is about to embark on tis next big raise and finally we look at how AI is integrating into North East classrooms.
In our Features section today I want to highlight the story of Bill Quay Primary School. The school is one of only a few UK schools to have a team of its students qualify for the forthcoming VEX Robotics World Championships, set to take place in Texas next month. I met the kids earlier this month and they’re incredible. If you or any of your contacts can help us get their robotics team to compete in Texas, I’d be forever grateful. Sponsorship link here. Thanks to all in the NE tech community who have helped out so far!! Go Bill Quay, go!
Before I go today I want to share a brief personal update with you. Tomorrow will be a year since I had a near-fatal hiking accident and the support I have had, and continue to receive, from many of you guys means a lot to me. Thank you. I’m a year on and I’m back on my feet, where I’ve progressed to getting around outside using crutches - something I previously didn’t think was possible. I’ve still got a long way to go but I feel incredibly lucky to be where I am now. Thanks again. Have a lovely weekend, J
This week’s news
Top story Neurodiversity assistance platform Cognassist raises £4m
Newcastle's hedgehog lab acquires York's Netsells following £6.3m investment
Newcastle firm lands £1.85m cancer nanorobot funding
Atom Bank eyeing major fundraising step, reports claim
Artificial intelligence-powered software to be trialled in North East classrooms
New energy system from Newcastle's Ingram AV set to shake up film, TV and festival industry
Subsea specialist SMD to open two new North East bases as it targets £100m turnover
Features
North East tech urged to back Gateshead school’s international robotics ambition
The national spotlight
Getting my teeth into DSIT
In many of our past few issues we’ve been exploring what the government’s new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) might mean for both the North East and the UK tech sector at large.
If you’re interested, here’s Michelle Donelan on a podcast explaining why the department has been set up and what it hopes to achieve.
Whilst its early days, we’ll be keeping an eye out on what new opportunities - particularly around the themes of adopting advanced technologies and developing UK-wide talent pipelines - could mean for the region and how, frankly, we snap ‘em up!
Tweet of the Week
Friend of the Digest Laura Richards is building and experimenting with No Code tools right now. Check out her startup reflections here.