What stage does Ufi VocTech Trust invest at?

Ufi VocTech Trust invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.

What is Ufi VocTech Trust's typical check size?

Ufi VocTech Trust typically writes checks of $250K – $1M.

Where is Ufi VocTech Trust located?

Ufi VocTech Trust is headquartered in London, GB.

Ufi VocTech Trust

Impact investor

London · Pre-Seed–Series A · 21 people tracked

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Investment thesis

Ufi aims to be a catalyst for transformational change in vocational learning, improving skills for work across the UK. It supports the skills sector from early-stage ideas to high-growth ventures, backing innovation and adoption of technology for skills and the future of work. Through its grant funding programme it provides non-dilutive awards for vocational technology, while Ufi Ventures acts as the UK's specialist investor in technology for skills and the future of work, providing early-stage equity investment. The focus is on delivering better skills outcomes for all and widening access to work through technology.

Invests inEdTech Enterprise Software Future of Work Hardware HR Tech Impact & Social Good Media & Entertainment SaaSLondonUnited Kingdom

Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.

Stage

Pre-Seed–Series A

Check

$250K – $1M

London, GB

Instruments

Equity · Grants

Founded

2019

Tracked investments

Team · 21 people

from the firm's website & public directories

Helen Gironi· Director of Ufi Ventures

h•••@ufi.co.ukreveal

Alex Bishop· Associate Director of Ventures

a•••@ufi.co.ukreveal

Amber Morris· Digital Communications Associate

Anthony Painter· Director of Strategic Engagement

Caroline O’Donnell· Grants Programme Manager

Claire Legg-Mellar· Project and Partnerships Manager

Dominic Gill· Chair of the Board of Trustees· Solihull, England, United Kingdomin

Chairs Ufi VocTech Trust's Board of Trustees, which holds overarching responsibility for the organisation's work.

Fay Bagnowiec· Governance Secretary· Greater Bristol Area, United Kingdomin

Fay Bagnowiec joined Ufi VocTech Trust in 2015 as PA to the Chief Executive. In 2025 she became Ufi's Governance Secretary, supporting the Board of Trustees and handling the organisation of Board meetings, Committees, and related administration.

Gabrielle Holland· Project and Partnerships Manager

Gabrielle Smith· Chief Operating Officer

Jane Holmes· Associate Director of Grants

Josh Smith· Head of Public Affairs

Mahreen Ferdous· Evaluation and Impact Manager

Mahreen Ferdous serves as Evaluation and Impact Manager at Ufi VocTech Trust, overseeing the organisation's evaluation of its impact on learners and the vocational sector.

Manon Dark· Communications Officer

Sarah Axon· Head of Innovation and Assessment

Sophie Gryce· PA to the Chief Executive

Steve King· Head of IT· Pleasanton, Californiain 𝕏

Steve King is Head of IT at Ufi VocTech Trust, where he is responsible for the organisation's IT function. His remit spans hands-on desktop support through to the strategic IT roadmap.

Teni Oguntayo· Project and Partnerships Officer

Thomas Heiser· Associate Director of Strategy & Communications· Bristol, England, United Kingdomin

Thomas Heiser is Associate Director of Strategy and Communications at Ufi, where he oversees the delivery of the organisation's communications activity in support of its mission. He has a background in events and communications spanning both private and public sectors. Before joining Ufi in 2021, he ran an events business serving clients including the United Nations Foundation, the Global Parliament of Mayors, and Nesta.

Rebecca Garrod-Waters· Chief Executive Officer· Greater Bristol Area, United Kingdomin

Rebecca Garrod-Waters has served as Chief Executive of Ufi VocTech Trust since 2014, where she leads its work as a grant funder and venture investor focused on digital tools for adult vocational learning. She previously held senior roles including Director of Innovation at Advantage West Midlands and Assistant Director for Innovation & Technology Policy at the UK Department of Trade and Industry, with a background in innovation, technology policy, and economic development across the public, private, and third sectors.

r•••@ufi.co.ukreveal

Toby Palmer· Investment Associate

t•••@ufi.co.ukreveal

What they invest in

from 5 of 22 portfolio companies

EdTech ×3HR Tech ×3AI & Machine Learning ×1B2B Marketplaces ×1Cybersecurity ×1Digital Health ×1Energy ×1Enterprise Software ×1

HQs:United Kingdom×2

Investments · 22 tracked

founders shown can be your intro path

Gladysgladys.care✓ verified

Gladys operates an online platform that connects families directly with local carers and helpers for at-home elderly and social care, cutting out agency overheads to lower costs for families and increase carer pay.

B2B MarketplacesDigital HealthHealthtechMarketplacesBristol, GB

George Robinson(CEO)Alex(Chief Operating Officer)

Assemble You

Podcast-style audio courses helping workers learn on the go.

AutonoMe

Helps people with learning disabilities and autism develop skills for work.

Bodyswaps

VR and AI-powered platform for soft skills training deployed in universities and hospitals globally.

CAPSLOCKcapslock.acin

CAPSLOCK provides cyber security training and career support to help learners from various backgrounds retrain and move into roles such as analysts, consultants, penetration testers, and governance/risk positions.

CybersecurityEdTechFuture of Work

Lorna Armitage(Co-founder)Andrea Cullen(Co-founder)

Certchaincertchain.ai

Certchain AI is an applied AI company that builds skills, training, and workforce-readiness software to help businesses and workers in critical national infrastructure maintain competency and regulatory compliance.

AI & Machine LearningHR TechSaaS

Chorus

Transforming safety and compliance training for safety-critical industries.

Data & AI Literacy Academy

Providing data literacy skills for businesses and employees.

Fabrio

Interactive learning platform teaching Computer Aided Design (CAD) with real-time marking and prompts.

Flash Academy

Technology that makes language learning accessible to all.

Greenworkxgreenworkx.orgin

GreenWorkx trains and certifies talent for the energy transition, helping employers upskill workers for green jobs.

EdTechEnergyHR Tech

Kinderly

Supporting early years practitioner learning.

Learnerblylearnerbly.comin

Learnerbly provides a platform for learning and development, helping organizations manage employee training, growth, and wellbeing programs.

EdTechEnterprise SoftwareHR Tech

Lily

Helps care providers recruit, onboard and retain staff more effectively.

Metaverse Learning

Using immersive learning environments to bring adult learning to life.

Mobilise

Supporting unpaid carers with knowledge and skills.

MyPocketSkill

Helping young adults secure paid work and become more financially capable.

Purlos

Transforming the way students engage with providers.

Slinger

Supporting people to find quality work and develop careers in hospitality.

SonicJobssonicjobs.com

Helping jobseekers find high quality employment.

Springpod

Supporting students to experience the world of work and training.

TaskHer

Helping skilled tradeswomen to win more work and develop their careers.

Frequently asked questions

What stage does Ufi VocTech Trust invest at?: Ufi VocTech Trust invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
What is Ufi VocTech Trust's typical check size?: Ufi VocTech Trust typically writes checks of $250K – $1M.
What sectors does Ufi VocTech Trust focus on?: Ufi VocTech Trust focuses on EdTech, Enterprise Software, Future of Work, Hardware, HR Tech, Impact & Social Good, Media & Entertainment, SaaS.
Where is Ufi VocTech Trust located?: Ufi VocTech Trust is headquartered in London, GB.

Media · Podcasts & interviews

from their channel

VocTech Together Support Programme

Ufi VocTech Trust

Training the next-generation using TikTok-style video - Blend

Ufi VocTech Trust

Rethinking work readiness: Using VocTech to assess essential skills

Ufi VocTech Trust

Ready to work? Assessing the skills that matter

Ufi VocTech Trust

EdTech meets employability: Investing in job readiness

Ufi VocTech Trust

AI and work: where’s the opportunity, where’s the threat?

Ufi VocTech Trust

Images

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