We can officially announce the startups selected to progress to the semi-final stage of this year’s Silicon Gorge Catalyst programme.
Following a highly competitive application process, the selected companies represent some of the most exciting early-stage innovation emerging across the South West and wider UK ecosystem, spanning sectors including AI, healthtech, climate, deeptech, fintech and future mobility.
The semi-finals will take place across two sessions this May, with one held online and the other hosted in person at Bath Digital Festival.
Across both sessions, founders will pitch live to a judging panel featuring representatives from TLT, British Business Bank, Oxford Innovations, techSPARK and Link Stone Advisory.
The final 12 companies selected by the judges will then move forward to an expert-led investment readiness workshop, before pitching at the Silicon Gorge Investor Showcase on 24 June to investors, ecosystem leaders and partners from across the region.
The companies selected for this year’s semi-finals are Spark AI, Taught by Humans, Forward EV Ltd, Last, GANGOAI, Yuup, MAXRES, SLANT, Beat Blocks, Voibe, Collective Robotics, Siora-bio, Amaryllis Green Solutions, Shelf Conscious, Earswitch, Animotion Technologies, HyperionWave (UnaGo), Hidden Signals, Encortec, Quantail and LAYBL.
The quality of applications this year made selection incredibly difficult, with founders showcasing ambitious ideas tackling challenges across industries ranging from healthcare and sustainability to infrastructure, productivity and digital transformation.
Silicon Gorge continues to support founders by connecting startups with experienced mentors, investors and industry experts while helping strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem.
The programme forms part of a wider mission to spotlight the South West as one of the UK’s leading hubs for ambitious technology businesses and emerging founders.
The final 12 companies progressing beyond the semi-finals will be announced following the judging sessions later this month.
To follow the journey and hear more from this year’s cohort, keep an eye on Silicon Gorge Catalyst and techSPARK channels over the coming weeks.
Investment Partner
TLT is a full-service commercial law firm built on ambition, innovation and dedication to its clients. The firm’s dynamic fast growth team, led out of its award-winning corporate practice, supports a variety of funders and investors, from business angels to institutional funds working on investments, and seed rounds through series A to Exit.
Investment Partner
British Business Bank is the UK’s economic development bank. Their mission is to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the UK and to enable the transition to a net-zero economy, by supporting access to finance for smaller businesses.
Investment Partner
Link Stone Advisory delivers integrated business advice and corporate finance. Their teams draw on professional expertise in finance, commercial law, HR and tax support integrated with management experience in profit growth and business transformation in digital, media and FMCG.
