Portfolio developments
and media coverage
Embryo Ventures is a London-based venture capital firm backing early-stage HealthTech, DeepTech, and Frontier startups globally. This page highlights updates and coverage from across our portfolio and Embryo.
Embryo Ventures Leads OSSTEC Funding Round to Support US Market Entry
Embryo Ventures led the funding round for OSSTEC, a UK deep tech orthopaedics company developing next-generation knee replacement technology, to support its expansion into the US market.
OSSTEC has developed an additive manufacturing bone healing technology designed to replicate how bone naturally works. The company, spun out of founder Dr Maxwell Munford's PhD research at Imperial College London, has appointed Dr Nick Pachuda to its board and established US operations ahead of market entry.
The London-based medtech company has now raised multiple rounds backed by Embryo Ventures, including a £1.2M seed round in 2023 and a £2.5M round in 2025.
Calla Lily Clinical Care Announces Strategic Collaboration with Merck
Calla Lily Clinical Care, a women's health-focused medical technology company backed by Embryo Ventures, entered a strategic collaboration with Merck to support the development of Callavid®, a novel platform for intravaginal drug delivery.
Read the full article ❯Gladys Raises £1.5M to Scale AI Home Care Across the UK
Embryo Ventures backed healthtech startup Gladys in a £1.5M funding round. Gladys's AI-powered platform matches people seeking care with top local carers across the UK, offering high-quality support at fair prices alongside industry-leading pay and career-development tools for carers.
Read the full article ❯Aston Villa Launches Digital Shuttle Bus System Created by STAXY
Aston Villa announced a new digital shuttle bus ticketing system created by STAXY, an Embryo Ventures portfolio company. Fans can now pre-book seats on the AV1 shuttle from Tamworth and the AV82 shuttle from Birmingham New Street direct to Villa Park.
Read the full article ❯Dr Maxwell Munford Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2025
Dr Maxwell Munford, founder of OSSTEC and backed by Embryo Ventures, was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2025 list for Science and Healthcare. Founded in 2021 and spun out of his PhD research, OSSTEC has developed additive manufacturing bone healing technology designed to replicate how bone naturally works.
Read the full article ❯Embryo Ventures Supports OSSTEC in £2.5M Funding Round
London-based medtech startup OSSTEC raised £2.5M backed by Embryo Ventures. OSSTEC is developing surgeon-led technology to enhance patient outcomes, operating efficiency, and healthcare costs through 3D-printed knee implant technology spun out of Imperial College London.
Read the full article ❯Bayer Partners with Impli on Real-Time Hormone Monitoring
Bayer announced a partnership with Impli, a Swiss deep-tech startup advancing health through real-time hormone monitoring. Impli's technology enables continuous tracking of hormone levels, opening new possibilities for personalised health management and reproductive care.
Read the full article ❯BioLumen Launches Monch Monch Sugar-Sequestering Product
San Francisco-based startup BioLumen, backed by Embryo Ventures, launched Monch Monch — a drink mix made of fibrous, microscopic sponges designed to soak up sugar and prevent it from reaching the bloodstream. Featured in The Wall Street Journal.
Read the full article ❯Alexander Murdock Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2024
Alexander Murdock, founder of Thermulon and backed by Embryo Ventures, was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2024 list for Manufacturing & Industry. Thermulon is a process chemistry startup developing technology for the low-cost production of super-insulating silica aerogels.
Read the full article ❯BioLumen Introduces Sugar Elimination Technology
San Francisco-based BioLumen, backed by Embryo Ventures, developed sugar-elimination technology that can sequester sucrose, glucose, fructose and simple starches. Their first product Monch Monch launched in the US market. Featured in The Guardian.
Read the full article ❯Pluvo Partners with UK Train Operator to Trial Air-Purifying Tech
South Western Railway installed an air-purifying column developed by Pluvo as part of a trial to create healthier environments for passengers and staff. Pluvo was backed in its first funding round by Embryo Ventures. Featured in Forbes.
Read the full article ❯Pluvo Installs Air-Purifying System at Salisbury Station
South Western Railway installed the Pluvo air-purifying device at Salisbury Station to improve air quality for passengers. Pluvo, a London-based clean air technology startup, was backed by Embryo Ventures. Covered by BBC News.
Read the full article ❯Pluvo Secures Trials with Network Rail at Birmingham New Street
Network Rail announced plans to install two air-purifying ‘totems’ at Birmingham New Street Station — one of the UK's busiest — to filter pollutants and viruses on platforms 10 and 11. The systems were developed by Pluvo, backed by Embryo Ventures.
Read the full article ❯OSSTEC Raises £1.2M Seed Round Backed by Embryo Ventures
OSSTEC, a UK healthtech startup developing novel bone implant technology, secured £1.2M in seed funding backed by Embryo Ventures. The capital will advance OSSTEC's material technology toward clinical trials and positive patient outcomes.
Read the full article ❯BioLumen Takes Novel Approach to Reducing Glycemic Impact of Processed Foods
San Francisco-based BioLumen developed a fiber-based supplement that can reduce the absorption of sugars in foods, lowering the glycemic impact of processed foods and delivering digestive benefits.
Read the full article ❯STAXY Founders to Pitch to Formula 1 After Winning Global Competition
Exeter University graduates behind ride-sharing app STAXY won a major international competition and earned the opportunity to pitch their business to Formula 1 representatives. The travel technology startup is backed by Embryo Ventures.
Read the full article ❯STAXY Selected as Winner in Santander X Global Challenge
STAXY was selected as winner in the startup category of the Santander X Global Challenge ‘Countdown to Zero’ — a collaboration between Santander and Formula 1 supporting innovative businesses contributing to sustainability in the automotive industry.
Read the full article ❯Thermulon's Eco Insulation Set to Transform Construction
Energy-saving insulation for buildings old and new that is fire-safe, affordable, and sustainable is the vision of Thermulon, a deep tech startup backed by Embryo Ventures. Thermulon develops silica aerogel insulation through a novel process chemistry approach. Featured in The Express.
Read the full article ❯Bridgefy Enables Off-Line Communication Through Bluetooth Mesh Messaging
San Francisco startup Bridgefy's Bluetooth-based messaging app enables people to communicate without any persistent managed network. The app connects users via standard Bluetooth across an entire city through mesh networking. Usage surged 3,685% during the Hong Kong protests. Featured in Forbes.
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