South West health and tech ventures draw new investment as manufacturers and venues report closures

The Business Desk South West reported £2.5m of investment for a healthtech firm tackling a veterinary environmental challenge [2], while Bristol 24/7 said a Bristol biotech firm had landed £700k to scale up [10]. Bristol 24/7 also reported national recognition for a women’s wellness venture [1] and the launch of a business aimed at closing the gender data gap [8].

Science-based companies elsewhere in the region also saw new deals: The Business Desk South West said Bristol start-up Siloton has secured a Great Ormond Street deal to adapt its quantum-enabled child eye imaging system for paediatric use [7], and reported a record year at Renishaw driven by demand for semiconductors [11].

It also reported that the growth of arenas is boosting cities outside London while small music clubs close [3], and Bristol 24/7 said a vegan cafe and shop would close after more than a decade [9].

A Somerset theatre warned it would close unless emergency funding was raised [6][12]. Read together, the announcements show health and technology ventures attracting new money in the South West at the same time as manufacturers, retailers and cultural venues report closures and funding pressures.