Lancashire-based communications technology company Audiebant has secured a seven-figure investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), as it continues to expand across the UK, US, and Europe.
The Kirkham-headquartered business, whose clients include NHS trusts, schools, and the UK Government, delivers solutions designed to ensure critical messages and announcements reach the public during emergencies. Its mass communications platform supports delivery via audio networks, mobiles, PCs, and outdoor digital displays — technology that played a key role during lockdowns and emergency incidents.
The latest funding round comes via NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance, managed by Praetura Ventures. The investment will accelerate development of Audiebant’s SaaS (software as a service) platform, which includes a patent-pending multilingual outdoor communication unit and an AI-powered emergency response system. The company will also use the funds to broaden its global footprint, following recent launches in the US and the rollout of its technology in Luxembourg.
“With installations now underway in both Europe and North America, and a distributor network spanning dozens of countries, this is a pivotal time for Audiebant,” said Josh Dean, Chief Executive of Audiebant. “This partnership represents more than capital. Praetura brings deep strategic expertise, a strong network, and a shared belief in our mission — to save lives and improve safety through intelligent communication. Their investment is a powerful endorsement of the scale of what the whole team at Audiebant have built, and the global opportunity that lies ahead.”
Audiebant’s safety communications systems are currently deployed across more than 600 client sites in sectors including education, healthcare, and corporate environments. The company anticipates further expansion, especially in the UK, where the recent passing of Martyn’s Law has increased the legal responsibilities on venues and events to prepare for terrorism and emergencies, in response to the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.
Demand for robust, real-time communications continues to rise following high-profile incidents such as wildfires and ongoing threats to infrastructure. In addition to supporting crisis response, Audiebant is also targeting wider applications — for example, helping events organisers relay real-time information such as set times at large venues.
The NPIF II investment was led by Praetura Ventures, with Audiebant advised by Alvarez & Marsal and Beyond Law Group, and Praetura advised by Gateley. The deal follows Praetura Ventures’ recently announced plans to merge with Par Equity to form PXN Group, subject to regulatory approval.
Peter Carway, Investment Director at Praetura Ventures, commented: “We’ve seen the Lancashire tech scene developing and evolving for a number of years, and Audiebant represents the very best of it. Audiebant is a category leader in intelligent, real-time safety communication, and we are proud to be supporting the team as they look to bring their proven system to a global audience and fulfil their hugely ambitious plans.”
Sue Barnard, Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank, added: “Audiebant is showcasing the very best of the tech companies that are leading the way in the North. And now, with this funding, the business is able to take their operations global, placing Lancashire on the map as an area where innovative businesses can set up and grow, especially with the assistance of readily available access to finance.”
The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and increasing access to finance for smaller businesses across the North of England. Managed by the British Business Bank, NPIF II provides loans and equity investment to enable start-ups and scale-ups to grow, innovate, and create local opportunity.
