The oversubscribed seed round was co-led by firstminute Capital and Playfair to support product expansion and international growth.
"Instead of yet another freelancer platform that simply digitizes transactions that could and would happen without it, Passionfruit is bringing a completely new workforce to the market. Gen Z will represent 27% of the global workforce by 2025 and it has been so inspiring to see our specialists as they say goodbye to the Victorian-age structure of the 9-5, and begin a new life working on their own terms. Better still, companies love working with them this way. Smart businesses are realizing that there’s a more elastic and efficient way to manage their relationship with talent."
The funding comes from Mercia and the MEIF Proof of Concept and Early Stage Fund to prepare for a Series A round.
"Our ambitious vision started back in 2008 and is gathering real momentum, supported by this investment plus key board appointments. We are excited about our future growth potential and the opportunity to disrupt the traditional high street lettings model. We aim to make renting out your property long-term as easy as filling your holiday let on Airbnb, and become the go-to choice when renting out property."
Maven Capital Partners has backed the software provider to support product development and team expansion.
"We believe that Zinc offers an excellent opportunity for investment into a scaling business that is operating in a market supported by positive sector dynamics. The Company is led by a very capable team, and they have made good commercial progress to date. Revenues are backed up by strong recurring revenues and a positive deal pipeline of prospective new clients. We are delighted to have structured a debt and equity solution which will support the delivery of management’s ambitious targets."
Chrysalix Venture Capital has backed the developer of adaptive industrial intelligence systems in a seed round.
"Chrysalix is very excited to team up with Luffy. There is great potential for this technology to positively impact a very wide range of high value control problems,"
The Series B round was co-led by H.C. Starck Tungsten Powders and IQ Capital, valuing the business at £300m.
"We are excited to move our technologies from development to deployment in the market. We founded Nyobolt following the discovery of new anode technologies containing tungsten with remarkable fast charging capability to bring these properties to the market in applications touching all aspects of daily life. The funding from H.C. Starck will help Nyobolt to scale up our operations in the UK and United States and bring a more sustainable solution into the energy storage industry. Nyobolt technology will not only enable net zero both in the electrification of transport, but also the storing of clean and renewable energy on and off the grid. With the investment from H.C. Starck, Nyobolt’s ultra-fast charging, high power batteries will help lead the way towards achieving the clean energy goals set by governments around the world."
