TWO startups have secured a place on a high-profile business growth programme.
Warrington-based Board North and ROFSIX have been chosen for Sci-Tech Daresbury’s Future Club, which goals to speed up the growth of early-stage science and expertise companies.
The sixth annual cohort contains the 2 Warrington corporations alongside Beat Modules, UAP, and Bump.
John Leake, business growth director at Sci-Tech Daresbury, stated: “We’re marking five years of Future Club this year and with our fantastic sixth cohort joining the programme, this is a moment to reflect on everything that has been achieved.
“To date, simply over £5m of further funding has been raised for Future Club corporations, and this determine is about to develop with extra funding anticipated in 2026 for a number of collaborating companies.”
Future Club, launched in 2021, is designed to help early-stage science and technology businesses scale by providing technical expertise, business support, networking, and funding opportunities.
Each year, five companies are selected based on their potential to deliver transformative solutions to industry.
Board North, the creator of a CFO-led operating system for business growth and financial management, and ROFSIX, a cybersecurity software business named after Warrington’s critical WWII munitions facility Royal Ordnance Factory 6, are both seen as promising additions to the cohort.
Other selected companies include Beat Modules, an EdTech and public health startup using gamification to address issues like vaping and mental health in schools; Bump, a music technology company focused on democratising music education; and UAP (Universal Atmosphere Processing), an engineering startup developing clean-air technology that extracts and repurposes atmospheric gases.
Mr Leake highlighted the progress of past participants.
He said: “We’ve had some nice successes with corporations like Ocuwell, a specialist in cutting-edge eyecare expertise, and Wellbeing Doctors, way of life medication consultants , who’ve lately joined the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Health Business Incubation Centre (BIC) programme.
“Many others including spinouts from the universities of Liverpool and Manchester such as AI Sight (developing technology for diabetes screening) and Spotlight Pathology (using AI to help in the diagnosis of blood cancers) have reported exceptional progress, new investments, and several successes since joining the programme.”
Selina Kirkham, founding father of Board North, stated: “We’re really pleased to be part of the Future Club.
“At Board North, we assist organisations scale by connecting their knowledge, processes and expertise in a method that reduces threat and creates long-term flexibility.
“Being supported by an ecosystem that is genuinely at the forefront of data and AI will help us accelerate that mission and grow with confidence.”
Ben Hardman, founding father of ROFSIX, stated: “Future Club at Sci-Tech Daresbury will be an important guide to help navigate ROFSIX on its journey from concept to product.”