Envoke, a laboratory equipment training and maintenance software startup, has raised £1.6 million from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, Finance Yorkshire’s Seedcorn Fund and Foresight Group. Based in Leeds, Envoke provides software that creates virtual replicas of laboratory machines to support remote training, troubleshooting and maintenance for healthcare providers and equipment manufacturers.
Founded in 2019 by Stuart Warrington, Envoke’s platform uses interactive simulations to show staff how to use complex laboratory equipment. The system also enables remote troubleshooting and maintenance, allowing many problems to be resolved without requiring an engineer to attend in person. Customer feedback shows the platform reduces the number of service call-outs by 15-20%, helping manufacturers reduce servicing costs while increasing revenue from consumables by keeping machines operational for longer. Laboratories can also use the platform to monitor user competence and identify training gaps.
Major customers already using the platform include Bio-Rad, ThermoFisher Scientific, PacBio, Haemonetics, the NHS, Hawai’s national blood laboratories and the Mayo Clinic. Envoke is now targeting expansion into the Asia-Pacific market following the latest funding round. The business currently employs 16 staff, including two in the US, and expects to create three to five new jobs in the UK over the next year. Total funding raised to date now exceeds £4 million, while Envoke expects to exceed £1 million annual recurring revenue within the next 12 months.
Stuart Warrington said laboratory equipment can be difficult to operate and technical issues are common, with each service call-out typically costing manufacturers $2,500. Mercia Ventures said Envoke has built a strong client base among US multinationals and launched a new version of its platform, while Foresight Group highlighted the business’s international growth potential and traction with global customers.
Laboratory equipment is challenging to operate and technical problems are commonplace. Each service call-out typically costs manufacturers $2,500 and a breakdown can seriously disrupt health services by delaying critical test results. Envoke is tackling these problems. Customer feedback shows our system helps laboratories to reduce downtime and provide more consistent operator training, while enabling manufacturers to cut service costs and boost revenue.
Envoke has come a long way since our original investment three years ago. The business has built an impressive client base among US multinationals, achieved very positive customer feedback and launched a new platform that is the most powerful to date. With growing global demand for virtual training and maintenance systems, Envoke is now well positioned to reach out to an even wider international audience.
Envoke has developed a highly compelling platform that addresses real operational challenges for both laboratory equipment manufacturers and healthcare providers. The business has already demonstrated strong traction with leading global customers, and we see significant potential as it expands internationally, particularly across Asia-Pacific. We are pleased to support Stuart and the team as they scale the business and build on this next phase of growth.
It is encouraging to see the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund continuing to support Envoke as it advances through its growth journey, illustrating how the fund enables businesses to scale over time. The business has made strong progress to date, establishing a robust customer base and delivering technology that addresses well-defined challenges in laboratory training and maintenance.
