Baltic Ventures, the Liverpool-based tech accelerator funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, has awarded a £50,000 cash prize to three standout startups: ClassHoppa, ValArt and Harker.
The funding culminates the second year of Baltic Ventures’ transformative Launchpad programme; a complement to its flagship Accelerator programme.
Now in its second year, Launchpad is a six-month, cohort-based programme designed to support early-stage digital tech businesses in the Liverpool City Region. Founders gain access to monthly masterclasses, one-to-one coaching, peer-to-peer learning and the opportunity to pitch for a share of £50,000.
A cohort of 14 startups joined the programme in January 2025. The £50,000 prize fund, generously contributed by an angel investor and philanthropist who is part of Baltic Ventures’ angel syndicate, was distributed among the top three startups, recognising their exceptional potential and progress made during the programme.
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“We couldn’t be happier to celebrate the achievements and success of ValArt, ClassHoppa and Harker,” said Baltic Ventures community manager Becca Harvey.
“Launchpad was created to empower founders who were told by investors they were “too early” in their commercialisation journey and to support them on that path. It’s been an absolute privilege getting to know this cohort over the last six months and inspiring to see how far they have all come.”
ValArt is a platform enabling collectors to catalog, value, and manage their collectibles, offering tools for portfolio tracking and end-of-life planning; ClassHoppa is an edtech solution connecting parents with extracurricular activities for children, simplifying the discovery and booking process, while Harker is an AI-enabled platform assisting homelessness charities in optimizing support systems and demonstrating social impact.
“Launchpad has been the most incredible opportunity for ClassHoppa; we’ve loved every minute. The Baltic Ventures team are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. Their support and expertise throughout the programme have been transformative for both the company and us as entrepreneurs. The opportunity to grow alongside a cohort of talented businesses on the programme has been fantastic — it’s pushed us further and set us up for long-term success,” said Siobhan Fox, co-founder, ClassHoppa
In addition to the three winners, Carbon Happy World and Scenegraph were both highly commended by the Baltic Ventures’ team and judging panel.
Claire Lewis, co-founder and CEO of Baltic Ventures, said their work “stood out for its innovation and potential,” adding that the team was excited about their future.
She said: “I’ve been genuinely impressed by the calibre of this year’s cohort. Each of the teams brought fresh ideas, real ambition, and a strong sense of purpose. It’s been inspiring to watch them grow and tackle meaningful challenges head-on.
“Their progress is also a reflection of the strength and depth of the Liverpool tech ecosystem, which continues to thrive and attract exceptional talent.”
Established in 2023 following a £4.1m investment from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Baltic Ventures is committed to nurturing early-stage tech startups in the Liverpool City Region and attracting new investment to the city region. Through programmes like Launchpad and its flagship Accelerator, Baltic Ventures provides founders with the resources, mentorship, and community needed to scale their businesses sustainably.
