Northern Gritstone
Venture capitalPre-Seed–Growth · 6 people tracked
Find your way into Northern Gritstone
1,702 people in our graph share verified history with the Northern Gritstone team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
Northern Gritstone invests in science and technology startups originating in the North of England, aiming to capitalize on the region's innovation potential. It focuses on visionary companies with strong intellectual property in deep technology and life sciences that can scale globally. The firm partners closely with the four Northern Arc universities of Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool, and also backs early-stage companies outside the university spinout ecosystem. It offers patient, long-term capital supporting companies from early stages through later growth, guided by a 'profit with purpose' philosophy, and provides wrap-around support to help founding teams build and scale their businesses.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.
Team · 6 people
from curated & public directories
What they invest in
from 28 of 37 portfolio companiesDeep Tech ×18Hardware ×9Healthtech ×7AI & Machine Learning ×6Cleantech ×6Enterprise Software ×6New Materials ×6Biotech ×5
HQs:United Kingdom×20
Who they back
founder profiles across 11 portfolio companiesFounding team size:solo founder×42 founders×43 founders×24+ founders×1
Where their founders studiedfrom 13 founders with education data
The University of Sheffield ×2University of Cambridge ×2
Where their founders worked beforefrom 14 founders with career history
University of Leeds ×3Curvalux ×2Deeptech Labs ×2
Investments · 37 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathBy year:2026 · 12025 · 12024 · 13 dated
Cavero Quantum develops software-based quantum-safe cryptographic solutions for cybersecurity.
CybersecurityIoTQuantum Computing
Frey Wilson(Co-Founder and CTO)inBen Varcoe(Co-Founder, director and advisor)in
BoardJeremy Lewis(Chair)
Co-investorsForesight
Crucible develops RNA-based therapies targeting neurodegenerative diseases, leveraging research from the University of Sheffield's translational neuroscience institutes.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtechSheffield, GB
Cliff Holloway(Chief Executive Officer)in
adsilico builds generative AI technology that creates diverse virtual patient populations—digital models of human anatomy, physiology, and pathology—to run in silico trials that assess medical device safety and performance before human testing.
AI & Machine LearningHealthtechMedical Devices
Dr Nishant RavikumarinDr Zeike TaylorinProf Alejandro FrangiSheena Macphersonin
Co-investorsParkwalk Advisors
AmpliSi develops porous silicon battery anode material using a proprietary silane-free, low-temperature magnesiothermic process that converts silica into high-energy silicon anodes to replace graphite in lithium-ion batteries.
CleantechEnergyNew Materials
Ruth Sayers(CEO)in
Co-investorsClean Growth Fund
Developer of a novel small molecule for treating chronic inflammatory diseases including Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
AssetCool builds robotic systems, including its Capacity-1 line robots, that apply capacity-enhancing coatings to existing overhead power lines to increase grid capacity without lengthy outages or reconductoring.
CleantechEnergyNew MaterialsRobotics
Jasmin Stewart(Head of People)inWinter Wilson(Head of Marketing)inNiall Coogan(CEO)in
Co-investorsCarbonEnergy Impact PartnersKero Development PartnersMercia VenturesExtantia Capital
Auxetec develops patented liquid crystal elastomers with auxetic properties that resist impact, aimed at improving the durability and longevity of products in demanding applications.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechNew Materials
OLO Robotics builds products designed to simplify robotics development, aiming to make robotics accessible to users regardless of their level of expertise.
Developer ToolsEnterprise SoftwareRoboticsSaaSSheffield, GB
Co-investorsSyndicateRoom
Proprietary technology enabling high-level, localised gene expression to overcome crop engineering challenges.
Cytotrait develops genetic technologies for crop improvement through chloroplast engineering.
AgTechBiotechManchester, GB
Junwei Ji(Co-Founder & Executive Director)inAnil Day(Co-founder & Scientific Advisor)Tim Brears(Executive Chair)in
Co-investorsUK Innovation & Science Seed Fund
Exciting Instruments builds the EI-FLEX benchtop platform, a single-molecule fluorescence instrument combining smFRET, FCS and FCCS to measure biomolecular interactions and dynamics directly in solution.
BiotechDeep TechHardware
Timothy Craggs(Founder and CEO)
Floreon develops a patented bioplastic material designed to reduce carbon footprint and replace traditional oil-based plastics in manufacturing processes.
Circular EconomyCleantechNew MaterialsSheffield, GB
Shaun Chatterton(Founder and Chairman)in
Iceotope develops precision liquid cooling technology for data centers, AI infrastructure, and edge computing systems.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechDeep TechHardwareSheffield, GB
Co-investorsAster CapitalOmbu GroupSalica Investments
Co-investorsIQ Capital
Literal Labs develops logic-driven AI technology, positioning its work as an alternative approach to machine learning.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechIoT
Noel HurleyinLeon FeddeninProfessor Alex YakovlevProfessor Rishad Shafik
Co-investorsGMG VenturesMercuri.vcSure Valley Ventures
MicroLub is a deep-tech ingredient company that develops protein-based biolubricant molecules which reduce molecular friction to replace fats and oils in food and personal care products while retaining fat-like mouthfeel and texture.
Deep TechFoodTechNew MaterialsLeeds, GB
Previously BOW; offers a software platform that handles robotics complexity so developers can focus on innovation.
Optalysys is a photonic computing company using silicon photonics to turn the optical layer into an arithmetic engine for high-performance computing.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductorsLeeds, GB
Co-investorsAnglia Capital GroupVerve Venturesimec.xpand
Opteran develops autonomy software for robots and machines by reverse-engineering neural algorithms from insect brains, using computational neuroscience rather than deep learning.
AI & Machine LearningDeep TechRoboticsLondon, GB
James Marshall(Founder & Science Officer)Alex Cope(Co-founder & CTO)inDavid Rajan(CEO & Co-founder)
Co-investorsEpisode1IQ Capital
Pencil Biosciences develops a fully synthetic, modular, non-CRISPR gene editing platform that edits DNA without causing a break or nick.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtech
Co-investorsEMV CapitalFuture Planet CapitalMartlet CapitalOctopus VenturesUK Innovation & Science Seed Fund
Phagenesis develops targeted pharyngeal electrical stimulation technology to treat neurogenic dysphagia by restoring neural pathways for safe swallowing.
Deep TechDigital HealthHealthtechMedical Devices
Co-investorsAphelion CapitalInnvotec Ltd.
Developing high-performance infrared sensors to improve laser rangefinder, LIDAR, fibre sensing and imaging systems.
Phlux Technology develops Noiseless InGaAs avalanche photodiode (APD) infrared sensors operating at 1550 nm that serve as drop-in replacements for traditional APDs.
Deep TechHardwareSemiconductors
Ben White(CEO)in
Co-investorsOctopus Ventures
Pragmatic is a European semiconductor company developing clean chips designed to reduce carbon emissions and waste compared to silicon alternatives.
CleantechDeep TechHardwareSemiconductorsCambridge, GB
Co-investorsIn-Q-TelProsperity7 VenturesARMBritish Patient CapitalCambridge Innovation CapitalCatalyst+4 more
Developer of an implanted electrotherapy device for treating brain cancer by targeting dividing cancer cells.
Co-investorsElbow Beach Capital
QV Bioelectronics develops GRACE, an implantable electric field delivery platform designed to treat aggressive cancers by delivering continuous therapeutic electric fields directly to tumor sites.
BiotechDeep TechHealthtechMedical Devices
Dr Chris Bullock(CTO & Co-Founder)Dr Richard Fu(Clinical Director & Co-Founder)
Deeptech company developing an AI healthcare training simulator for realistic patient interaction training.
Re:course develops natural language processing technology to enable machines to understand and communicate with humans in healthcare settings.
AI & Machine LearningDigital HealthEdTechEnterprise SoftwareHealthtechSaaS
Developing a highly sensitive material with direct conversion detectors to make X-ray equipment more efficient.
Silveray develops flexible X-ray detectors using patented semiconductor ink technology for non-destructive testing in industrial applications including oil and gas, nuclear energy, aerospace, and shipbuilding.
Advanced ManufacturingDeep TechHardwareStockport, GB
Co-investorsCambridge Angels groupFuture Planet CapitalUK Innovation & Science Seed Fund
Locus is a place-based analysis platform that integrates climate risk assessment, regional decarbonization planning, energy network analysis, and spatial planning tools for local authorities, utilities, and developers.
AI & Machine LearningCleantechClimate TechData & InfrastructureEnergyEnterprise SoftwareGovTechPropTech
Rob(CEO)
Sitehop provides encryption technology designed for real-time data protection that prioritizes speed and quantum-readiness.
CybersecurityDeep TechEnterprise SoftwareHardwareQuantum Computing
Melissa Chambers(Co-Founder and CEO)inBen Harper(Co-Founder and CTO)in
The University of Manchester's technology transfer office that commercializes academic research and intellectual property through spinout creation and licensing arrangements.
Deep TechEnterprise SoftwareImpact & Social GoodManchester, GB
Portfolio news
latest coverage across their companiesOptalysys · picmagazine.net · Jun 18, 2026
Literal Labs · techfundingnews.com · Jun 5, 2025
Principals & officers · per Companies House
what is this? ⓘSecretary · since 2023
Director · British · since 2025
Director · British · since 2020
Director · British · since 2022
Director · British · since 2022
Director · British · since 2026
Director · British · since 2021
Director · British · since 2021
Director · British · since 2021
Director · British · since 2021
+1 more officers on the register
Fund performance · per public LP disclosures
as of Sep 2025| Fund | Vintage | Committed | Net IRR | TVPI | DPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Gritstone LimitedLPs: West Yorkshire Pension Fund | — | — | — | 0.95x | 0.00x |
Source: public limited-partner disclosures (CalPERS, CalSTRS). Net IRR / TVPI / DPI as reported by the limited partner; a fund's early-year IRR is an interim estimate (J-curve).
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Northern Gritstone made?
- Northern Gritstone has 34 tracked investments, including 2 dated in the last 24 months.
- What stage does Northern Gritstone invest at?
- Northern Gritstone invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C, Growth stages.
- What sectors does Northern Gritstone focus on?
- Northern Gritstone focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Biotech, Cleantech, Deep Tech, Energy, Hardware, Healthtech, Longevity, Medical Devices, New Materials, SaaS, Semiconductors.
- Does Northern Gritstone lead rounds?
- Northern Gritstone typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
- Who does Northern Gritstone co-invest with?
- Northern Gritstone most often shares deals with Future Planet Capital, IQ Capital, Octopus Ventures, among 27 tracked co-investors.
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