Lancashire entrepreneur Will Maden (pictured, left), who co-founded and grew the Lancaster-based EV charging software firm, Fuuse, has launched a new energy technology business.
Called TOGL, the venture enables companies with fleets of electric-powered vehicles to intelligently manage when their EVs draw power from the grid. By automatically working out the best times to charge vehicles – and other company assets – TOGL customers can take advantage of lower tariffs, reducing their energy costs as a result.
TOGL has recently completed an £850,000 pre-seed investment round to accelerate its commercial roll-out.
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Led by Haatch, the angel syndicate platform and key investment manager for the British Business Bank, with additional investment from Setanta Vehicle Importers, the authorised Renault Trucks importer in Ireland, TOGL’s raise includes a tranche of investment from two of Lancashire’s Fhunded Angels.
Part of the Lancashire County Council’s (LCC) wider Fhunded programme, Fhunded Angels is a network of private investors who are interested in backing Lancashire early-stage business opportunities via equity investment. The largest angel community in the UK managed by a local authority, Fhunded Angels has already raised over £2m in equity finance for Lancashire startups since being launched last March.
Maden said: “With TOGL, we are building a platform that makes the transition to electric vehicles more affordable, flexible and sustainable.
“This significant funding round will help us get to the next stage of our development; enabling us to expand our team, strengthen our technology, and accelerate our work with vehicle operators, energy partners, and industry stakeholders.
“But in addition to securing a proportion of the finance through the Fhunded Angels network, the wider support we have received from LCC’s Fhunded programme has been invaluable. It has helped guide us through the complex pre-seed investment landscape, enabling us to maximise our potential when speaking to investors.”
Rory Southworth (right), Fhunded programme lead at Lancashire County Council, added: “Will’s extensive experience as co-founder and chief operating officer for Fuuse, combined with TOGL’s ability to save fleet managers money through a pioneering EV charging solution, has made the business a very investable proposition.
“However, as well as members of the Fhunded Angels syndicate contributing to the £850k raise, Fhunded’s consultants have also been helping TOGL navigate some of the key barriers which can hamper early-stage growth. That combination of facilitating investment, and delivering bespoke guidance, is what makes Fhunded really stand out as an enabler of regional economic development.”
Councillor Brian Moore, cabinet member for economic development and growth at Lancashire County Council, added: “This announcement clearly demonstrates how the Fhunded programme offers Lancashire entrepreneurs more than just introductions to potential investors.
“Rory and his team not only helped TOGL raise investment from some of our Fhunded Angels, they have also advised the company on how to unlock additional funding from other sources. It’s a great example of the added value Fhunded brings to Lancashire’s tech and innovation economy.”
Prior to the £850k raise, TOGL secured an initial £25,000 investment earlier this month as part of the Baltic Ventures Accelerator 2026.
The business was also recently confirmed as one of 11 companies on the Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator. This will see them working on a pilot programme with the haulage company Welch Group to test the TOGL platform using real-time vehicle schedules, charging requirements, and site power constraints.
