
Nesta and Downing lead £2m round for Empiribox
Nesta Impact Investments and Downing have led a £2m funding round for science education provider Empiribox.
Downing is a VCT and enterprise investment scheme (EIS) investor. Nesta is currently investing from its Nesta Impact Investments fund, which closed on £17.5m in October 2012 and has an eight-year investment period.
In conjunction with the funding, Nesta education lead Manish Miglani and Downing portfolio director Mike Kennedy have joined the Empiribox board.
The company intends to use the funds to continue to launch its new online platform and expand its reach.
Previous funding
Crowdcube contributed £57,800 in equity financing for Empiribox in 2014. Later that year, Angels Den contributed £20,000.
In 2015, Crowdcube contributed another £112,500.
In 2017, Downing invested £1m in the company from its VCTs.
Company
Empiribox is a science education provider that supplies resources for primary school teachers to teach practical science lessons. Subscribers are sent science equipment, lesson and assessment resources, and professional development plans for teachers. Founded in 2013 and based in Harwell, the company employs 17, according to LinkedIn.
People
Empiribox – Richard McGrath (CEO).
Nesta Impact Investments – Manish Miglani (education lead).
Downing Ventures – Mike Kennedy (portfolio director).
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