Connecting regions and driving progress, the travel and transport sector remains vital to the health of the UK economy. In 2023, Wales saw several companies securing significant investment to drive innovation and development in this space. This article highlights the top 10 travel and transport companies in Wales based on the highest amount of fundraising and evaluates how the region compares to others in the UK, using key fundraising benchmarks.
Top Travel and Transport Companies in Wales
This data reflects fundraising raised in 2023 by UK companies officially registered and active on Companies House within the travel and transport industry.
- Green Sea Guard
Total amount raised: £84k
Location: Wales
Green Sea Guard provides monitoring technology for maritime emissions, helping reduce the environmental impact of shipping. Their recent fundraising supports further development of their emission control systems. - Endurance Vehicle Solutions
Total amount raised: £92k
Location: Wales
Endurance Vehicle Solutions focuses on electric vehicle (EV) fleet management, providing solutions to optimise EV performance and reduce operating costs. Their fundraising will help expand their services across the UK. - Voltric
Total amount raised: £95k
Location: Wales
Voltric specialises in electric vehicle leasing and subscription services, helping consumers and businesses transition to electric transport. Their fundraising will be used to expand their EV fleet and grow their customer base. - Zeal Innovation
Total amount raised: £230k
Location: Wales
Zeal Innovation offers smart transport technology solutions, helping businesses improve operational efficiency. Their recent fundraising will be used to scale their platform and develop new features. - Ortharize
Total amount raised: £458k
Location: Wales
Ortharize is a business travel platform that helps companies save money on travel bookings. Their 2023 fundraising will be used to grow their platform and expand their customer base. - SmallSpark Space Systems
Total amount raised: £721k
Location: Wales
SmallSpark Space Systems develops propulsion technologies for space and aerospace applications. Their recent fundraising supports the advancement of their technology and future commercial launches. - Atherton Bikes
Total amount raised: £826k
Location: Wales
Atherton Bikes designs and manufactures high-performance mountain bikes. Their 2023 fundraising will support production expansion and development of new models, catering to the growing demand for adventure sports equipment. - Riversimple
Total amount raised: £948k
Location: Wales
Riversimple focuses on sustainable transport, particularly hydrogen-powered vehicles. Their fundraising will be used to further develop their hydrogen-powered cars and expand production. - Peppercorn AI
Total amount raised: £3.25m
Location: Wales
Peppercorn AI develops artificial intelligence solutions for the insurance and transport sectors, helping streamline processes and improve customer experience. Their recent fundraising will support product development and market expansion. - Bikmo
Total amount raised: £3.40m
Location: Wales
Bikmo offers insurance services for cyclists, providing coverage for bikes and cycling-related activities. Their 2023 fundraising will be used to scale their operations and improve customer acquisition in the UK and Europe.
How is Wales Performing?
Using regional fundraising benchmarks from 2023, we can critically evaluate how well Wales is performing in the travel and transport sector compared to other regions in the UK.
Total Fundraising Amount
In 2023, Wales raised £10.7 million across its top companies. This places it ahead of smaller regions like Northern Ireland, which raised £2.14 million, but behind larger regions such as the South West, which raised £57.4 million. Wales’ growth is driven by a diverse range of companies, from AI-driven insurance solutions to hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Average Fundraising per Company
Wales’ average fundraising per company is £1.07 million, a figure that reflects steady growth but suggests that more investment is needed to scale up the region’s transport and travel sector. Companies like Bikmo and Peppercorn AI are leading the way, but the region could benefit from attracting larger investments across more businesses.
Top Fundraising Company
Bikmo raised £3.4 million in 2023, positioning it as the top performer in Wales. Their focus on cycling insurance aligns with the growing trend towards sustainable and active travel, further boosting Wales’ contribution to the UK’s green transport movement.
How does Wales compare to other regions in the UK?
Wales is performing well compared to smaller regions, but still lags behind areas like London and the South West. However, the region’s diverse set of companies—ranging from hydrogen-powered vehicle manufacturers to space systems—demonstrates that Wales is making strides in innovation. With continued investment, Wales could further solidify its place in the UK’s evolving travel and transport landscape.
The Future of Travel and Transport Companies in the UK
Wales is positioned to continue growing its travel and transport sector, particularly in sustainable and innovative areas such as hydrogen-powered vehicles and space technologies. Companies like Riversimple and SmallSpark Space Systems are helping drive the region’s contribution to the UK’s sustainable transport goals. As investor interest in green technologies continues to rise, Wales will play an increasingly important role in the future of transport in the UK.