Welcome to the first edition of the GC Angels Monthly Blog! Each month, we’ll spotlight our investment activity, key partnerships, and the incredible businesses we’re supporting across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Entering Q4 with Momentum
As we step into the final quarter of the year, the Manchester weather may be cooling down, but at GC Angels, things are heating up! October was a bustling month as our team continued to champion innovation and growth across the region, solidifying our role as Greater Manchester’s trusted early-stage institutional investor.
Investment Spotlight: Gaia Learning
Our standout achievement in October was our investment in Gaia Learning, an EdTech platform dedicated to transforming education for neurodivergent children.
GC Angels joined a £550,000 funding round led by Nesta Ventures, one of the UK’s leading social impact investors. Gaia Learning, spearheaded by the inspiring Kate Longworth, aims to empower neurodivergent students with tailored learning solutions that make a real difference.
We’ve already introduced Gaia to the GMCA Education Team, which oversees SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) schools across Greater Manchester’s 10 councils—a collaboration we’re confident will have lasting impact.
👉 Read more about Gaia Learning here
Supporting Innovation: Simplifai Systems
Earlier this year, we made a follow-on investment in Simplifai Systems, contributing £50,000 to their £700,000 funding round. This included a significant £350,000 grant from Innovate UK.
Simplifai is a trailblazer in AI-driven automation, working to boost efficiencies across various industries. We’re proud to back their mission for scalable growth and look forward to seeing their impact expand.
October Highlights: Events and Engagements
October wasn’t just about investments—it was a month full of impactful events where we connected with entrepreneurs and innovators:
- British Business Bank Finance Week (Preston) – Details here
- Lancashire Boost Investment Academy – Read more
- CreaTech Conference (Hosted by GM Business Growth Hub) – Explore the event
These engagements reflect our ongoing commitment to fostering growth and supporting early-stage businesses across the region.
Looking Ahead
We’re thrilled about the events and initiatives in the pipeline:
- GM Growth Hub’s RAISE Program for early-stage businesses in Manchester – Learn more here
- Baltic Ventures Accelerator in Liverpool – Find out more
Both programs are excellent platforms for founders and entrepreneurs, and we can’t wait to be part of their journeys!
Stay tuned for more updates in next month’s blog, where we’ll share the latest on our investments, events, and how we’re driving innovation across the region.
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