North East founders head to Climb26

A group of North East start-ups will pitch for investment and new connections at a business growth festival in Leeds.

Twelve founders and small business entrepreneurs have been selected to attend Climb26 as guests of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, led by North East mayor Kim McGuinness.

Among them is Newcastle University mechanical engineering student Henrietta Newble, who is seeking seed funding for AnFiTest – short for Animal Field Test – a start-up developing point-of-care hardware and data analytics to help prevent illness in grazing animals including horses, sheep and cattle.

The 21-year-old is also an Arkwright Engineering Scholar and co-founder and president of Newcastle University Student’s Union Founders Club.

Henrietta, who is originally from Cambridgeshire, said: “AnFiTest is starting in the UK but we want to expand globally.

“The business started a year ago, but the idea came years before that.

“I grew up with animals and was dealing with multiple diseases they suffered that were directly linked to pasture grass. 

“I wondered why we were not testing the grass itself instead of waiting for the animals to present with an illness.

“The idea was to move the care from reactive to preventative. 

“I wanted to bring tech to a very untechy industry and move the care from hearsay and old wives’ tales to data-driven science and analytics.

“I love data, I love animals, so this is a dream for me.”

Taking place at Leeds Dock on July 1 and 2, Climb26 will bring together founders, investors and business leaders for keynote sessions, workshops and panel discussions.

Other North East businesses attending include ventures focused on medical technology, sports coaching, health and wellness, mining exploration software and low-carbon materials.

The event is designed to help investment-ready businesses access funding, build networks and scale sustainably.

North East MSA director of economic growth and innovation Phil Witcherley added: “The North East wins when we show up as partners, not parochialists.

“We have worldclass founders and a reputation for getting things done, and that makes investors take notice.

“Innovation and tech change are moving fast, which is an opportunity for our businesses if we give them the backing to scale up and grow.

“Climb26 will put our founders and entrepreneurs at the front of the queue for really transformative investment.”

Henrietta added: “Being involved with the North East MSA makes a massive difference to businesses like us.

“We’re small right now and don’t have a lot of resources so getting the exposure, the help and expertise they offer has really helped change the trajectory of this business.

“Climb26 is the opportunity to build connections across the engineering and chemistry innovation space and help with our seed round investment.”

Founder of Investor Ladder and ClimbUK Gordon Bateman added: “Climb26 is designed to empower ambitious businesses with the knowledge, confidence, connections and access to funding they need to scale successfully.

“We understand that navigating the world of growth and investment can be challenging, and Climb26 provides a platform for businesses to overcome those challenges with the help of industry experts, investors and peers. 

“It’s about learning, connecting and taking action.”

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