Warrington Startups Earn Spots in Future Club Program

Sci-Tech Daresbury’s Future Club Welcomes New Innovators

In an exciting development for the science and technology landscape, two Warrington-based firms, Board North and ROFSIX, have earned spots in Sci-Tech Daresbury’s prestigious Future Club. This initiative aims to expedite the growth of early-stage science and technology companies, fostering innovation and collaboration within the industry.

Celebrating Five Years of Future Club

As the sixth annual cohort joins the Future Club, John Leake, business growth director at Sci-Tech Daresbury, took a moment to reflect on the program’s impact over the past five years. “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,” Leake stated.

Since its inception, the Future Club has successfully facilitated over £5 million in additional funding for its participating companies, with more expected in 2026. This funding paves the way for innovative ideas to flourish and translate into real-world solutions.

What is Future Club?

Launched in 2021, the Future Club was conceived to support early-stage science and technology firms in navigating the complexities of scaling their operations. By providing avenues for technical expertise, business support, networking, and funding opportunities, the initiative aims to accelerate growth and foster a thriving business ecosystem.

Each year, a select group of companies is chosen based on their potential to deliver transformative solutions across various industries. This year, alongside Board North and ROFSIX, the cohort includes Beat Modules, UAP, and Bump.

Spotlight on Board North and ROFSIX

Board North stands out as a creator of a CFO-led operating system designed to streamline business growth and financial management. This innovative approach aims to integrate data, processes, and technology, ultimately reducing risk while enhancing long-term operational flexibility.

ROFSIX, named after Warrington’s historical Royal Ordnance Factory 6, specializes in cybersecurity software. As a promising player in the cybersecurity domain, ROFSIX aims to address critical needs in protecting sensitive information in an increasingly digital world.

The Diverse Cohort of Innovators

The other exciting entrants into the Future Club include:

• Beat Modules: An EdTech and public health startup that leverages gamification to tackle issues like vaping and mental health in schools.
• Bump: A music technology company focused on democratizing music education, aiming to make music more accessible to everyone.
• UAP (Universal Atmosphere Processing): An engineering startup dedicated to developing clean-air technology to extract and repurpose atmospheric gases, responding to environmental challenges.

These companies reflect a diverse range of interests and innovative pursuits, promising to make significant contributions to their respective fields.

Highlighting Past Successes

Leake also emphasized the success stories stemming from previous cohorts. “We’ve had some great successes with companies like Ocuwell, specialists in cutting-edge eye care technology, and Wellbeing Doctors, experts in lifestyle medicine,” he noted. These companies have recently joined the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Health Business Incubation Centre program, illustrating the fruitful journey many have undergone through Future Club.

Additionally, spinouts from leading universities, such as AI Sight and Spotlight Pathology, have experienced rapid growth and substantial investments since their inclusion in the program. Their achievements underline the effectiveness of the Future Club in fostering an innovative ecosystem.

Voices from the New Cohort

The founders of the newly selected companies have expressed their enthusiasm about joining the Future Club. Selina Kirkham, founder of Board North, remarked, “We’re really pleased to be part of the Future Club. Being supported by an ecosystem that is genuinely at the forefront of data and AI will help us accelerate our mission and grow with confidence.”

Meanwhile, Ben Hardman, founder of ROFSIX, emphasized the importance of Future Club for his startup, stating, “Future Club at Sci-Tech Daresbury will be an important guide to help navigate ROFSIX on its journey from concept to product.”

A Bright Future Ahead

With its sixth cohort, Sci-Tech Daresbury’s Future Club continues to pave the way for emerging talents in the science and technology arena. By providing essential support and fostering collaboration, this initiative is not just shaping the future of these individual companies but also contributing significantly to the broader innovation landscape. As these companies dive into their new journeys, the ripple effects of their innovations could soon be felt industry-wide, creating a positive impact on society at large.