Creator of safeguarding software for schools nabs £1.95m investment

Software business eSafe Global Limited has secured a £1.95m investment from private equity firm Maven Capital Partners.

Salford-based eSafe, a provider of tools that monitor online user behaviour and cyber bullying within a school or college environment, will use the seven-figure funding to expand its sales, marketing and operational teams.

The cash will also enable the company to develop its services and technology platforms, and take advantage of new market opportunities arising from increased pressure in the education sector to incorporate improved safeguarding monitoring systems.

eSafe’s service uses detection technology capable of identifying potentially harmful content and combating bullying, grooming, sexualisation, radicalisation and other dangers present for young people in a digital environment.

Maven has worked with the eSafe management team for the last two years, following an investment in the business in 2015 from the Greater Manchester Loan Fund (GMLF). Maven manages the GMLF for the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities.

The new deal was jointly funded by Maven’s Venture Capital Trusts and the GMLF, which invested £1.6m and £350k respectively.

Maven investment director Craig Hopwood said: “We’ve had the benefit of working with Mark and the wider eSafe management team for the past two years and have seen first-hand their ability to win new business and deliver these contracts to a very high standard.

“By leveraging its established reputation in the market, eSafe has been able to grow its client base and maintain impressive customer retention levels.”

He added: “The knowledge and expertise of the eSafe behavioural analysts, coupled with sophisticated software and technology, is impressive. It is proven within the market, having already ensured the online safety and well-being of hundreds of thousands of pupils, students and staff across the UK.”

eSafe CEO Mark Donkersley commented: “The past two years have seen the education market embrace the specialist service approach to safeguarding pioneered by eSafe.

“Input from eSafe to parliamentary select committees in the last 18 months reflects its extensive knowledge and analytics of evidential social harms within UK education.”

He continued: “This makes eSafe the go-to source for public policy makers requiring reliable statistical evidence in developing ongoing legislative responses to child safeguarding risks.

“With the continued support from Maven, we aim to build upon the market’s acceptance and appreciation of eSafe’s unique approach to behaviour monitoring and to reinforce eSafe as the leading service provider in this field.”