Transport tech firm gets £705,000 growth boost

A transport technology firm says it is set to drive ahead following six-figure support.

Land Digital has secured £705,000 to bolster growth plans.

The company says the cash will create jobs and strengthen the rollout of a barrier-free tolling and parking platform.

Based in Sunderland, the business’ technology uses automatic number plate recognition, data processing and artificial intelligence to support open-road tolling operations such as the Tyne Tunnel.

Its apparatus has also been adopted by London Southend Airport to help manage parking operations.

The firm has been backed by a £500,000 investment from Northstar Ventures’ Venture Sunderland Fund, £180,000 from Creative England and £25,000 from business angels.

Jon Leighton, founder and managing director, who runs the business alongside team members including chair Julian Leighton and non-executive director Mark Pegler, said: “Operators don’t want more technology – they want less friction, for both customers and back offices.

“This investment lets us bring artificial intelligence-driven efficiency to both – and faster – while meeting demand from operators ready to move on from barrier-based systems.”

Naomi Allen Seales, investment manager at Northstar Ventures, which operates offices in Newcastle and Sunderland, said the firm was “delighted to support the next stage of Land Digital’s journey”.

She said: “The business has developed a genuinely differentiated software platform for transport infrastructure at a time when operators are increasingly looking to modernise legacy systems. 

“We believe it has significant growth potential.”

Malcolm King, Creative England investment manager, added: “We’re excited to back Land Digital as it continues to deliver meaningful impact across the sector.”

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