We’re delighted to announce that Contentifai has been selected to join the Stage 2 cohort of the North East Creative UK Create Growth Programme, alongside 20 other ambitious creative businesses from across the region.
This six-month programme, delivered by Creative UK, represents a significant milestone in Contentifai’s journey as we enter the most exciting stage of our growth to date. The programme will provide invaluable support as we refine our business model and develop our scaling strategy for our next phase of expansion.
Image credit to Creative UK Create Growth Programme North East
Building Connections with Fellow Innovators
The programme kicked off with an energising workshop at Northern Stage in Newcastle, where we had the opportunity to connect with fellow participants from diverse creative sectors. From digital agencies to film production companies, the cohort represents the breadth and depth of creative talent in the North East.
We’re particularly excited about the collaborative opportunities the course presents. The initial sessions have already sparked productive conversations about potential partnerships and shared learnings that will benefit all participants as we navigate our growth journeys together.
Strategic Development for Sustainable Growth
Over the next six months, we’ll be working closely with Creative UK mentors and investment specialists to:
Refine our content marketing service offerings for B2B SMBs
Develop robust scaling strategies for our human+AI content creation model
The programme’s focus on investment readiness aligns perfectly with our ambitions to expand our reach and help more UK businesses harness the power of strategic content marketing.
Looking Ahead: Committed to Our Core Mission
As we embark on the programme, we remain committed to our core mission: helping B2B SMBs build websites that work as strategic assets for long-term growth. This opportunity with Creative UK will accelerate our ability to deliver on that promise at scale.
We’ll be sharing updates on our progress throughout the programme. Follow our journey as we work alongside Creative UK and our fellow cohort members to shape the future of content marketing in the North East and beyond.
The top tech startups in Northeast England, from fintech to sustainability, to watch and follow as they’re poised for significant growth over the next 24 months.
This article was last updated on May 8, 2025.
Newcastle upon Tyne continues to cement its reputation as a dynamic tech hub, with companies spanning healthcare, fintech, sustainable technology, and digital services. Our annual roundup highlights the most promising tech companies in Newcastle poised for significant growth in 2025-2026.
Introduction: Newcastle’s Thriving Tech Ecosystem
In the heart of Northeast England, Newcastle upon Tyne’s tech scene continues to flourish, attracting talent, investment, and recognition well beyond the region. From pioneering biotech firms advancing healthcare diagnostics to fintech ventures transforming financial services, Newcastle startups are making their mark on the global stage.
For our 2025 selection, we’ve identified 15 high-potential tech companies in Newcastle based on recent funding success, notable partnerships, innovative technology applications, job creation, and growth trajectory. While many excellent Newcastle tech companies didn’t make this year’s list, those featured represent the diversity and ambition driving the city’s digital economy forward.
Newcastle’s life sciences sector has developed into a significant biotech cluster, supported by world-class research institutions and purpose-built facilities like The Biosphere at Newcastle Helix. With substantial investment flowing into Northeast healthcare startups in recent years, the region is establishing itself as an emerging center for medical innovation.
These six companies represent the cutting edge of Newcastle’s biotech ecosystem, tackling challenges from rapid diagnostics to drug development with technologies poised to transform global healthcare delivery.
Company Overview:QuantuMDx has established itself as Newcastle’s premier biotech innovation company, specialising in molecular diagnostics with its flagship Q-POC™ system: a portable PCR device offering rapid, sample-to-answer diagnostic testing with results in approximately 30 minutes.
Recent Developments: The company has secured additional funding to expand its test menu and continues to develop its Q-POC™ platform for broader applications. Recent partnerships for diagnostics implementation and ongoing development of new testing capabilities reflect the company’s growth trajectory.
Team & Culture: Led by co-founder and CEO Jonathan O’Halloran, QuantuMDx maintains a team of approximately 100 employees across R&D, commercial operations, and manufacturing.
Trajectory Forecast: Over the coming months, QuantuMDx aims to expand its test menu for additional applications, explore opportunities in the veterinary diagnostics market, and increase manufacturing capacity to meet growing demand. The company’s focus on portable, rapid molecular diagnostics positions it well for continued growth.
NewCells Biotech: Revolutionising Drug Development with Human Tissue Models
Company Overview:NewCells Biotech develops advanced human tissue models for drug development, replacing traditional animal testing with more accurate human cell-based alternatives. Their technology creates induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived models that better predict human clinical outcomes.
Recent Developments: The company raised €1.4 million in funding in December 2024 and has expanded its laboratory facilities at The Biosphere in Newcastle Helix. NewCells continues to develop advanced tissue models for various applications, with several research partnerships strengthening its position in the pharmaceutical testing market.
Team & Culture: Under the leadership of CEO Dr. Mike Nicholds, the company has grown to a team of 20 scientists with specialised expertise in tissue engineering. The company maintains strong academic connections with Newcastle University, where it originated.
Trajectory Forecast: NewCells Biotech is positioned for substantial growth as pharmaceutical companies increasingly seek alternatives to animal testing. Their planned expansion into liver and kidney tissue models, along with development of disease-specific neural tissue models, should strengthen their market position and attract additional pharmaceutical partnerships.
PulmoBiomed: Transforming Respiratory Diagnostics
Company Overview:PulmoBiomed, a spinout from Northumbria University, is developing innovative lung function testing devices that simplify respiratory diagnostics through non-invasive breath sampling technology.
Recent Developments: The company secured £1.4 million in funding in 2024 to commercialise its lung test technology and is progressing through regulatory approvals. Clinical trials in partnership with regional healthcare providers and ongoing team expansion demonstrate the company’s commitment to bringing its respiratory diagnostics technology to market.
Team & Culture: Founded by Dr. Sterghios Moschos, PulmoBiomed now comprises a team of 14 biomedical engineers and medical researchers, supported by a clinical advisory board that brings valuable healthcare insights to product development.
“PulmoBioMed was founded during the pandemic to address the need for reliable breath-based diagnostics. We have solved fundamental problems to enable quick and non-invasive deep lung sampling, with minimal training, and as frequently as necessary. Over 300 million asthma patients suffer slow diagnosis and millions of others are hospitalised every year with pneumonias that are impossible to diagnose with current tests. By helping clinicians understand their patient’s disease and select treatments that work, PBM-Hale, has the potential to transform respiratory care.”
Trajectory Forecast: With FDA submission planned and commercial launch in UK and EU markets, PulmoBiomed is poised to disrupt the respiratory diagnostics market. The company’s technology addresses the limitations of traditional spirometry by requiring minimal patient effort and providing rapid results.
InveniRex: Pioneering Next-Generation Diagnostics
Company Overview: Based at The Biosphere in Newcastle Helix, InveniRex focuses on early disease detection through proprietary biomarker technology, with applications across oncology and infectious disease diagnostics.
Recent Developments: InveniRex secured £500,000 in funding in 2024 led by DSW Ventures and subsequently appointed a new non-executive chair to strengthen its commercial leadership. The company developed proof-of-concept for its liquid biopsy technology and was granted two patents for its novel biomarker detection methods.
Team & Culture: The company was founded by former academic researchers from Newcastle University and has built a team of 11 scientists and commercial specialists. Recent board appointments have brought additional commercial expertise to guide the company’s growth.
Trajectory Forecast: InveniRex aims to complete validation studies, with potential for a strategic partnership with a diagnostics manufacturer. A Series A funding round is anticipated in 2026 to accelerate commercial development of their point-of-care testing platform.
Magnitude Biosciences: Accelerating Age-Related Disease Research
Company Overview:Magnitude Biosciences specialises in accelerating ageing research through cutting-edge nematode analysis, offering unique research services to pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions investigating longevity and age-related diseases.
Recent Developments: The company secured a £500,000 investment to accelerate business growth and continues to seek additional grant funding to support its research. Magnitude has expanded its laboratory facilities at NETPark in County Durham and is developing new platforms to enhance its aging research capabilities.
Team & Culture: Led by CEO Dr. Fozia Saleem, Magnitude Biosciences employs a team of 18 scientists and research professionals. The company maintains strong academic ties to Durham University, where it originated.
Trajectory Forecast: Magnitude Biosciences is well-positioned to expand into companion diagnostics for age-related disease treatments and is developing AI tools to improve nematode analysis efficiency. Strategic partnerships with two major pharmaceutical companies for drug discovery efforts further strengthen its market position in the growing field of longevity research.
Glycanage: Redefining Biological Age Assessment
Company Overview:Glycanage uses glycan biomarkers to assess biological ageing, offering more accurate health prediction than chronological age alone. Their technology has applications in preventative healthcare and longevity research.
Team & Culture: With a team combining expertise in glycomics, data science, and preventative medicine, Glycanage has positioned itself at the intersection of biotech and consumer health.
Trajectory Forecast: Glycanage is expanding into clinical applications for age-related disease prevention and developing corporate wellness programmes based on its technology. The company is also pursuing healthcare provider partnerships to integrate its biological age assessment into preventative care protocols.
Fintech and Digital Services
The Northeast’s digital economy has shown significant growth in recent years, with Newcastle emerging as a fintech hub that offers both technical talent and more affordable operating costs compared to London. This combination of skilled workforce and business-friendly environment has attracted innovative fintech ventures and digital service providers.
These five companies demonstrate how Newcastle’s digital sector is maturing, creating high-value jobs while developing technologies with global application.
Neptune North: The Fastest-Growing Financial Technology Venture in Newcastle
Company Overview: Established in 2024 as a joint venture between investment fund manager Rokos Capital Management and global consulting firm Oliver Wyman, Neptune North develops specialised financial analytics and trading platform solutions.
Recent Developments: The company has demonstrated exceptional growth velocity, securing a 10,000 sq.ft. office space in Newcastle’s Bank House on Pilgrim Street. Under CEO James Beard’s leadership, Neptune North has made nearly 50 appointments in its first year and launched its institutional trading analytics platform in April 2025.
Team & Culture: Neptune North operates with a full 5-day in-office work culture, emphasising collaborative problem-solving and financial expertise. The company is on track to employ over 100 people by the end of 2025.
“As we continue to recruit high-calibre individuals from across the UK and overseas, it is vital that we provide a workplace of exceptional standard. We operate 5 days a week in the office and have already made nearly 50 appointments. Bank House is the leading office building in Newcastle which is an important component in the overall offer as we bring onboard talented individuals from inside and outside the region.”
Trajectory Forecast: With its unique positioning at the intersection of investment management and consulting expertise, Neptune North is poised to potentially double its workforce over the next 24 months. The company plans to expand its product offerings to include risk management tools and serve major financial institutions across Europe.
Company Overview:Kani Payments provides transaction reconciliation and reporting solutions for the payments industry, offering seamless processing technologies that address critical challenges in financial services.
Recent Developments: In early 2025, Kani secured a significant Series A investment led by Maven Capital Partners to accelerate global expansion. The company won industry recognition for its payment compliance technology, established new strategic partnerships, and has begun expanding its international presence.
Team & Culture: Led by CEO Aaron Holmes, Kani Payments has grown to approximately 50 employees with strong expertise in fintech and compliance. Their platform processes a substantial volume of transactions annually for clients across Europe and North America, with the company focusing on scaling its operations to meet growing demand in the payments sector.
“I founded Kani Payments in 2018, based out of the growing fintech hub and my home city of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and named with a nod and a wink…”
Trajectory Forecast: Kani Payments is positioned for significant international growth with expansion into the APAC region. The company is developing enhanced analytics features using machine learning and pursuing potential partnerships with major banking institutions for specialised compliance solutions.
One Utility Bill: Simplifying Multi-utility Management
Company Overview:One Utility Bill consolidates multiple utilities into a single, manageable platform, saving time and reducing complexity for property managers, landlords, and tenants.
Recent Developments: The company secured additional Series A funding to expand its operations and has significantly grown its customer base across the UK. Recent improvements to their platform include enhanced energy usage analytics features, along with new utility provider partnerships.
Team & Culture: Co-founded by Chris Dawson and Dale Knight, One Utility Bill has expanded to approximately 60 employees with a strong focus on customer service and technology development.
Trajectory Forecast: The company plans to expand into the commercial property management sector and develop additional sustainability features for carbon footprint reduction. Potential expansion into European markets is being considered for 2026, supported by their proprietary split billing technology for shared accommodations.
Partnerize: Optimising Digital Partnership Management
Company Overview:Partnerize has established itself as a leader in partnership management, offering brands sophisticated technology to optimise their affiliate and partnership programmes with advanced tracking, reporting, and payment capabilities.
Recent Developments: The company has secured additional growth funding and continued to expand through strategic acquisitions. Recent platform enhancements include improved partnership matching capabilities, while their customer base continues to grow steadily.
Team & Culture: Led by CEO Matt Gilbert, Partnerize employs approximately 200 people globally, with 75 based in Newcastle. The company maintains strong engineering and product development capabilities.
Trajectory Forecast: Partnerize is focused on international expansion, particularly in the APAC region, along with developing predictive analytics for partnership performance and enhancing mobile app tracking capabilities. As digital marketing continues to shift toward measurable, performance-based models, Partnerize is well-positioned for continued growth.
Hitmarker: The Career Hub for Gaming and Esports
Company Overview:Hitmarker has established itself as the premier destination for gaming and esports career opportunities, connecting talent with jobs in game development, streaming, competitive gaming, and related fields.
Recent Developments: The company completed a successful crowdfunding round and has significantly expanded its platform user base. Recent developments include enhanced employer branding tools and strategic partnerships with gaming publishers for recruitment campaigns.
Team & Culture: Led by Managing Director Richard Huggan, Hitmarker employs a team of 15 professionals focused on platform development and client management, with strong industry connections across the gaming ecosystem.
Trajectory Forecast: Hitmarker is expanding into education and skills development while pursuing growth in international markets, particularly Asia and North America. The company is also developing recruitment technology solutions specifically designed for gaming companies, positioning it well for continued growth as the gaming industry expands.
Sustainable Technology and Innovation
Newcastle’s tech ecosystem increasingly focuses on innovations addressing broader societal challenges, from environmental sustainability to digital inclusivity. The city’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 has helped nurture ventures developing technologies with positive social and environmental impact.
These four companies highlight how Newcastle’s tech innovation extends beyond commercial success to create meaningful solutions for pressing global challenges, attracting both investment and purpose-driven talent to the region.
Settld: Compassionate Digital Legacy Management
Company Overview:Settld simplifies the daunting process of managing deceased persons’ affairs, from bank accounts to social media, providing a compassionate solution to digital legacy challenges.
Recent Developments:Acquired by The Estate Registry in 2024, Settld won the UK Mobile and Emerging Technologies StartUp of the Year at the 2024 StartUp Awards. Recent partnerships include Utilita Energy and Thames Water, with the company winning the “Tech for Good” award at the Northeast Tech Awards.
Team & Culture: Founded by mother-daughter team Vicky Wilson (CEO) and Julie Wilson following their own challenging experience managing bereavement admin, Settld now employs approximately 15 people post-acquisition.
“Too many companies lack compassion, empathy and efficient processes, when dealing with bereaved customers. This makes grief miserable whilst families are left struggling with end of life admin. Settld CEO backs George Monbiot’s Twitter tirade against service providers for making grief miserable after a loved one has died.”
Trajectory Forecast: Under The Estate Registry,Settld is expanding API integrations with major utilities and financial institutions, exploring white-label opportunities for enterprise clients, and pursuing international expansion leveraging their parent company’s global presence.
CellulaREvolution: Advancing Sustainable Protein Production
Company Overview:CellulaREvolution is changing the future of food with its novel cell culture technology. Their solutions address critical challenges in cultivating cells at scale, with significant implications for the growing alternative protein and cellular agriculture sectors.
Recent Developments: The company raised an additional £1.75 million in funding and expanded its laboratory space in The Biosphere at Newcastle Helix. A strategic partnership with a cultured meat producer and ongoing development of improved bioreactor technology demonstrate their commitment to advancing cellular agriculture.
Team & Culture: Led by CEO Leo Groenewegen, CellulaREvolution has grown to a team of 22 employees, primarily in R&D, supported by a strong scientific advisory board with experts in cellular agriculture.
“I am delighted to announce the investment from Happiness Capital and Allusion One. We have been able to secure growth funding from very reputable investors and are now ready to accelerate the development of our products and our company at an increased pace. Looking forward we will be bringing our enabling technologies to market soon, doing our part to bring high quality and affordably cultured meat to consumer’s plate sooner rather than later!”
Trajectory Forecast: Commercial-scale technology deployment is expected, with development of technology applications for medical tissue engineering also underway. A potential Series B funding round is anticipated to support these ambitious growth plans.
EvaluAgent: Empowering Contact Centre Excellence
Company Overview:EvaluAgent provides software and services for contact centres focused on empowering employees to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Their solutions help improve employee performance and satisfaction, which translates to better customer outcomes.
Recent Developments: The company has secured growth funding to accelerate product development and international expansion. Their platform serves contact centers across the UK and North America, with notable client acquisitions in the financial services and telecommunications sectors.
Team & Culture: Based in Newcastle with additional offices in London and North America, EvaluAgent has grown to approximately 80 employees with expertise spanning software development, data science, and customer experience management.
Trajectory Forecast: EvaluAgent is developing AI-enhanced tools for agent coaching and performance optimisation, with plans to expand their platform capabilities to include predictive analytics for customer satisfaction. As customer experience remains a critical differentiator for brands, EvaluAgent is well-positioned for continued growth in this specialised market.
Flare Network: Building the Future of Blockchain
Company Overview:Flare Network has developed an innovative blockchain platform utilising the Flare Consensus Protocol. This cutting-edge network offers a secure and efficient platform for decentralised applications, addressing some of the scalability and energy efficiency concerns associated with earlier blockchain technologies.
Recent Developments: The company has continued to expand its ecosystem of developers and applications, with particular focus on bridging traditional finance and decentralised technologies. Recent partnerships with financial institutions and enterprise clients have demonstrated the practical applications of their blockchain solutions.
Team & Culture: With a distributed team that includes significant technical talent based in Newcastle, Flare Network maintains a strong focus on research and development to advance blockchain technology.
Trajectory Forecast: As blockchain adoption continues across various industries, Flare Network is positioned to expand its user base and application ecosystem. The company’s focus on security, scalability, and energy efficiency addresses key concerns that have limited enterprise blockchain adoption, positioning it well for partnership opportunities with established companies outside the crypto space.
Newcastle’s Tech Ecosystem: A Broader Perspective
Newcastle upon Tyne’s transformation into a vibrant tech hub reflects broader investment in the Northeast’s digital economy. The city now ranks as one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech centres outside London, with several factors contributing to this success:
World-class talent pipeline: Newcastle’s universities produce a substantial number of computer science and related graduates annually, creating a steady stream of qualified talent.
Affordable operating costs: Office space and operational costs remain significantly more affordable than London, allowing startups to extend their runway and invest more in product development.
Supportive infrastructure: Newcastle Helix and other purpose-built innovation districts provide ideal environments for tech companies to collaborate and grow.
Regional investment: The North East Fund and various accelerator programmes have committed substantial resources to supporting regional startups in recent years.
These factors have created a self-reinforcing ecosystem where success breeds further success. Companies that begin in Newcastle increasingly choose to stay and scale, contributing to a growing concentration of tech expertise in the region.
Looking Ahead: The Newcastle Tech Companies Poised for Growth
The next 12-24 months look promising for Newcastle’s tech sector. The combination of established companies raising follow-on funding and new ventures securing initial investment demonstrates the ecosystem’s health and resilience.
Particularly notable is the strength in healthtech and biotech, with six of our featured companies operating in this space. This specialisation is creating a recognised cluster effect, attracting both talent and investment to the region. Similarly, the presence of multiple fintech ventures shows Newcastle’s growing reputation in financial technology innovation.
For startups, entrepreneurs, and jobseekers interested in Newcastle’s tech scene, our companion article “Newcastle’s Tech Renaissance: Innovations and Startups Fueling the Future” provides a comprehensive guide to networking opportunities, tech meetups, and industry conferences happening throughout the year.
As these 15 companies continue to grow and develop, they’ll create new opportunities for collaboration, employment, and innovation across Newcastle and the broader Northeast region. We’ll be watching their progress with interest and look forward to highlighting the next wave of Newcastle tech companies in our 2026 roundup.
Are you part of a growing tech company in Newcastle or the Northeast? We’d love to hear your story for potential inclusion in future features. Contact us to share your journey.
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