Audiebant, a rapidly expanding Lancashire-based technology firm, has successfully secured a seven-figure investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II). The funding, provided by NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance, managed by Manchester-headquartered Praetura Ventures, will support the company’s global expansion and further development of its emergency communication platform.
Based in Kirkham, Audiebant specialises in critical safety messaging systems, currently utilised by organisations including NHS trusts, schools, and government bodies. The business, co-founded by Josh Dean and his father Gary, provides a multi-channel platform designed to broadcast urgent communications during emergencies, lockdowns, or critical incidents via audio networks, mobile devices, PCs, and digital displays.
With installations now active in over 600 UK sites, including numerous education and healthcare settings, Audiebant plans to leverage this new funding to significantly scale its international footprint. This builds upon recent successful launches in both the US and Luxembourg.
Josh Dean, Chief Executive of Audiebant, commented: “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.”
The funds will also accelerate the development of Audiebant’s Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, which includes a patent-pending multilingual outdoor unit and an AI-powered emergency response tool.
This investment comes at a time of rising global demand for critical communications technology, driven by events such as wildfires, infrastructure threats, and the recent passing of Martyn’s Law, which places increased preparedness requirements on UK venues and events in relation to terrorism.
The £660 million NPIF II fund provides equity investment and loans to small and medium-sized businesses across the North of England, with the aim of driving innovation, creating local opportunities, and fuelling sustainable economic growth.
Image source: Audiebant
