A fast-growing Lancashire technology firm has secured a seven-figure investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) to support its global expansion and further develop its emergency communication platform.
Kirkham-based Audiebant, which specialises in critical safety messaging systems used by NHS trusts, schools and government organisations, secured the funding from NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance, managed by Manchester-headquartered Praetura Ventures.
The business, co-founded by Josh Dean and his father Gary, provides a multi-channel platform designed to broadcast urgent communications during emergencies, lockdowns or critical incidents via audio networks, mobile devices, PCs and digital displays.
With installations now in place across more than 600 sites in the UK, including in education and healthcare settings, Audiebant plans to use the fresh funding to scale its footprint internationally—building on recent launches in the US and Luxembourg.
“This partnership represents more than capital,” said Chief Executive Josh Dean. “Praetura brings deep strategic expertise, a strong network, and a shared belief in our mission – to save lives and improve safety through intelligent communication. Their investment is a powerful endorsement of the scale of what the whole team at Audiebant have built, and the global opportunity that lies ahead.”
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Audiebant will use the funds to accelerate development of its SaaS platform, including a patent-pending multilingual outdoor unit and an AI-powered emergency response tool.
Peter Carway, Investment Director at Praetura Ventures, said: “We’ve seen the Lancashire tech scene developing and evolving for a number of years, and Audiebant represents the very best of it. Audiebant is a category leader in intelligent, real-time safety communication, and we are proud to be supporting the team as they look to bring their proven system to a global audience.”
Sue Barnard, Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank, added: “Audiebant is showcasing the very best of the tech companies that are leading the way in the North. With this funding, the business is able to take their operations global, placing Lancashire on the map as an area where innovative businesses can set up and grow.”
The deal comes as demand for critical communications technology continues to rise globally, driven by events such as wildfires, infrastructure threats and the recent passing of Martyn’s Law, which increases requirements on UK venues and events to be prepared for terrorism.
Legal advice was provided by Beyond Law Group for Audiebant and Gateley for Praetura Ventures. Alvarez & Marsal also advised Audiebant on the transaction.
The £660m NPIF II fund provides equity investment and loans to small and medium-sized businesses across the North, aiming to drive innovation, create local opportunity, and fuel sustainable economic growth.
