July 2026 update from CFT
A quarter of growth, with CFT and our founders capitalising on years of groundwork. “Turning the tables on the customary transatlantic acquisition profile” (in the words of Business Weekly), we expanded to the US with the acquisition of Vest Coast Capital, a US investment and advisory firm. It's a real milestone for CFT: a permanent presence in New York and Silicon Valley, bolstering our growing investment portfolio alongside our SPVs and Future Tech VC. It builds on an investment track record recognised again this quarter across multiple portfolio rounds, with CFT named Early Stage Investor of the Year for the second year running.
The US expansion reflects the flow of capital and commercial relationships that define both markets. We've already seen it across the portfolio: OmniBuds and SAIF Autonomy are both now based stateside and drawing serious US backing. That appetite is a vote of confidence in UK-originated deep tech, and Vest Coast gives us the base to build on it, adding ventures in areas including industrial AI and advanced optics, and deepening our reach into two markets that matter most.
It caps a strong quarter on both sides of the Atlantic. The CFT investor network ‘Deep Tech Signals’ officially launched in London and continues to grow at pace. Meanwhile CFT announced a new innovation programme with Johnson Matthey to develop next-generation applications for platinum group metals, working alongside a consortium including Valterra and Sibanye. Read on for details of our newly incorporated ventures, big wins from across the portfolio, and dates for upcoming events including Demo Day and Cambridge Tech Week Investor Drinks…
Deep Tech Signals
Deep Tech Signals is an early-stage investor network sharing emerging breakthroughs and market intelligence, straight from the lab. Founding members met at Hawksmoor for the launch dinner back in May, then explored Future Compute dealflow and tech scouting with Tess Skyrme and Ryan Surridge from the CFT Venture Build team. For early access to UK-wide dealflow and investor insights built for HNWs, contact Tim Colebrooke for more information.
News from the portfolio
AmorphiQ successfully manufactured their first quantum chip
Noema awarded Best Start-Up at the EUCNC 6G Summit
GravTech validated their CG3 sensor in the field, confirming their tech can detect subsurface features others can’t, at a fraction of the cost
Coherence Engine appointed ex-Raspberry Pi co-founder Liz Upton as Board Chair, and closed investment from Amadeus
NEW TO THE PORTFOLIO
WAVEFORGE
Spun out from University of Glasgow, automating analog and RF chip design with AI-driven tools to backfill the last generation of engineers who can do this by hand. Design cycles cut by up to 70%, backed by four patents.
NOEMA
Signal-processing technology from the university of Surrey that unlocks significantly more capacity from existing wireless infrastructure. Currently fundraising following the introduction of Colette Ramage via the CFT Talent Function.
Coming Soon
Events are a real cornerstone of the work we do at CFT, showcasing exceptional talent, world-leading research, and connecting ventures with the capital they need to scale globally. This quarter we brought together policymakers, academics, researchers, investors and corporate partners to activate capital, build networks, discuss blockers and work towards meaningful change across industries:
CFT Spring Demo Day - Five CFT portfolio companies pitch to VCs at Venture Cafe London: Noema, AmorphiQ, GravTech, RemePhy & Literal Labs
Aston University Commercialisation Clinic - researchers gather to discuss commercialisation and academia
Investors & Founders Dinner - CFT and Mills & Reeve host a dinner with founders and funders to discuss what’s broken, and how to fix it
Critical Minerals Panel - with policymakers, corporates and investors to explore sovereignty
Deep Tech Signals Dinner - HNWs network with CFT portfolio founders
CFT Summer BBQ- the highlight of our events calendar, bringing together the entire ecosystem; portfolio teams, investors, industry leaders and CFT partners
Coming up next quarter, we're hosting Rooftop Investor Drinks at Cambridge Tech Week on 16th September, with long-time friends of CFT, Mishcon de Reya and J A Kemp. Then in London on 20th October, five ventures will pitch to investors at the CFT Autumn Demo Day.
I'm looking forward to announcing big raises across the CFT portfolio, with Series-A rounds closing soon in both the UK and US. I'll also share news of more CFT commercial deals, nearing completion...
Cheers,
Owen
