💰 Chemify's Chemifarm, Par Equity Merger, LastingAsset launch
Here's your Campfire for the 23rd of June, 2025.
💼 This issue of Campfire is sponsored by Shepherd and Wedderburn's initiative to supercharge start-ups and scale-ups. Be sure to follow the Start to Scale LinkedIn page for useful videos and posts designed to help founders.
🌊 Updates
🚀 Glasgow-based Chemify launched its first fully automated Chemifarm facility, combining AI, robotics, and chemical programming to accelerate molecular design and synthesis. The facility will support R&D across pharmaceuticals, biotech, and industrial chemicals, and marks a major step in Glasgow’s emergence as a hub for advanced chemical innovation. DGT
🤝 Edinburgh-based Par Equity and Manchester-based Praetura Ventures are merging to form PXN Group, a £670m VC firm focused on “scaling startups across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the North of England”. Both firms will continue managing their own funds and strategies but aim to close the regional funding gap by combining resources. While PXN won’t launch a new fund yet, Par is expecting to close its latest £75m fund by the end of the month. SFTD SFN UKTN DGT IN
🧠 A team from Edinburgh Napier University has launched LastingAsset, a new AI and cybersecurity spin-out tackling impersonation phone scams. Originally designed to protect digital assets, the technology now uses cryptographic encryption and AI to verify callers and prevent voice cloning and deepfake fraud, which costs UK organisations billions annually. SS
💪 Aberdeen-based Visas2 launched after the acquisition of London’s Visa Group. It offers “compliance-driven support for corporates, energy firms, and travel companies managing visa, passport, and documentation needs across multiple countries”. SFN BTN
📣 Asks & Offers
🚨 Start to Scale by Shepherd and Wedderburn is offering eligible subscribers of Campfire exclusive access to their ‘Start to Scale Hub’ which helps companies create template legal agreements in minutes for free. To learn more and request access click here.
🌞 Looking for fundraising support? Sun & Planet is a new Glasgow-based fundraising advisory service launched by Alex Rowe. Based in Glasgow, he’s focused on light touch fundraising support for pre-seed and seed stage founders across Europe that are looking to raise £150k - £3m in equity investment as well as tailored cohort-based investment readiness support for Universities, corporates, accelerators and more. So, if you’re an early stage Founder who would like an extra pair of hands to support you with your raise, or an organisation within the UK’s startup ecosystem looking for some help to deliver investment readiness support, you can reach out here.
⚙️ Registers of Scotland is hiring a Startup Community Engagement Manager (Grade: Higher Executive Officer) for Geovation Scotland, with a £38,114–£43,364 salary, generous 28.97% pension, and up to 42 days annual leave. The permanent hybrid role is based in Edinburgh or Glasgow, supporting tech startups and managing community engagement, events, and partnerships in the Scottish innovation ecosystem. More info here.
🖥️ Geovation Scotland is also hiring a Programme & Delivery Lead (maternity cover, 12–15 months) to run its startup accelerator supporting land, property, and geotech startups. Based in Edinburgh or Glasgow (hybrid), £46.6k–£55k + excellent pension and 38 days leave. Apply by 1 June 2025. More info here.
💼 Work with TopHatch: Senior Frontend Engineer (Remote, UK/Finland) Looking for a place where you can bring your whole self to work and make a real impact? TopHatch, a remote-first company behind the award-winning app Concepts, is hiring a Senior Frontend Engineer (Contract, £60–£70/hr) based in the UK or Finland to work with modern web technologies in a supportive, people-first environment. Apply here.
✈️ TravelPerk, a hyper-growth SaaS company revolutionising business travel, is hiring a Senior Software Engineer in Edinburgh. You'll work with modern tech (Python/Django, React), shape product architecture, and join a fast-paced, award-winning team trusted by brands like Wise and Red Bull. Apply here.
👭 Interested in connecting with possible co-founders? Fill in your listing on Cofounder Curious today! Connect with others for possible cofounder matching here.
👷Are you hiring? Send us a blurb and we’ll include it in the next newsletter!
✍️ Want to write something for Campfire? Have an opinion you'd like to share? get in touch!
📅 Events
💼 23/06, 10:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Curating your (work) life blend with Flexible Working Scotland: Come and focus on a project, your job search, your own business or just come and get a change of scenery to power through your life admin and hang out with some adults before the schools break up for summer! MORE INFO
🔗 23/06, 17:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Blockchain Scotland Meetup: Welcome to the Monthly Blockchain Scotland Meetup at the Bayes Centre in Edinburgh. The event takes place at the ground floor in G.03. MORE INFO
☕ 23/06, 18:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Startup Founders Meetup - June 2025: Tactical fireside chats with experienced entrepreneurs and speed networking with other founders, potential cofounders, and investors! MORE INFO
🌐 24/06, 09:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Edinburgh Greentech Meetup with Tin Rocket Space: Join our monthly meetup with Ken Gordon for breakfast, coffee and connecting with the Edinburgh's Greentech Community. MORE INFO
🔎 24/06, 09:00 🗺️ Hawick: Better Business: Driving Continuous Improvement: Practical ways to improve productivity, reduce emissions, and use AI—designed for South of Scotland businesses. MORE INFO
💡 24/06, 10:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Good Ideas: Catalyst x Edinburgh College: Our Good Ideas: Catalyst is the perfect way to explore the potential of a new idea for social or environmental change. If you’re an early-stage innovator, in need of a change of direction or just passionate about finding a way to address a cause, Good Ideas: Catalyst is an entry point for you to explore the feasibility of a new idea. MORE INFO
💼 24/06, 10:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Co-Work Club Edinburgh: Tired of the home office grind but not ready for the daily commute? Say goodbye to crowded coffee shops and the endless search for a quiet Zoom spot. We've got the solution: Welcome to Co-Work Club @ Kimpton Hotel, Edinburgh. MORE INFO
💡 24/06, 11:00 🗺️ Online: Why Great Ideas Fail Without Great Teams — And How to Fix It: Great ideas fail without the right team. Join our webinar to learn what makes innovation teams succeed. MORE INFO
👌 24/06, 11:00 🗺️ Online: Faire: Setting your brand up for success on the marketplace: Discover how Faire helps Scottish brands and retailers grow their wholesale sales and simplify operations through one platform. MORE INFO
☀️ 24/06, 11:00 🗺️ Online: Clean Energy Transition Partnership Research and Innovation Funding Call: Join this webinar and learn about the 2025 Clean Energy Transition Partnership funding call. MORE INFO
👨🏻💻 24/06, 14:00 🗺️ Online: Implementing AI Agents in Your GTM Strategy: A Startups Guide: Join HubSpot for Startups and Codebase for a session on how autonomous AI Agents disrupt GTM strategies for Startups. MORE INFO
💪 24/06, 17:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Edinburgh CAN B: Join us on Tuesday 24th June to continue working together to support collaboration for an even more sustainable and inclusive Edinburgh. Members of the CAN B Movement and anyone interested in getting involved are warmly welcome to join. MORE INFO
🚀 24/06, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: Techscaler Japan Takeaways: Accelerating Scotland’s Global Gaming Ambitions: Join us for this special learning session as we unpack the key learnings obtained from Techscaler Japan for Scottish Gaming startups. MORE INFO
🍻 24/06, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: ProductTank Edinburgh Social: Product Walk & Talk (or just Talk!) : Join us for a special summer edition of ProductTank Edinburgh: a laid-back social to connect with fellow product folks. Whether you’re up for a scenic stroll or just fancy a pint and a chat, we’ve got you covered. MORE INFO
🎓 25/06, 10:00 🗺️ Glasgow: Mastering prompt engineering with ChatGPT for global business success: Learn how to craft AI prompts that will get you more accurate, useful responses that can transform the way you work. MORE INFO
💼 25/06, 11:00 🗺️ Online: Online Office Hours: MedTech IP Strategies with HINDLES: Join us for a 1:1 IP Office Hours session with Jemma, a UK and European patent attorney from HINDLES. MORE INFO
🤝 26/06, 09:30 🗺️ Stirling: Founder 2 Founder: We’re keeping it simple: useful conversations, meaningful connections, and a few treats to help you through the day. Whether you’re just getting started or deep in the build stage, this is a great opportunity to branch out and engage with people who truly understand the ups and downs of building something from scratch. MORE INFO
🩺 26/06, 10:00 🗺️ Aberdeen: Barclays Eagle Labs at One Tech Hub Drop in Clinic Jun 2025: Drop in and let’s have a chat about your business goals and ambitions here at One Tech Hub. MORE INFO
🎯 26/06, 11:00 🗺️ Online: Online Office Hours: Power Your Tech Venture with Burges Salmon: Elevate your Legal and Commercial Strategy with Burges Salmon, who ensure startups in growth sectors are investment and IP ready. MORE INFO
🙌 26/06, 18:00 🗺️ Alloa: Techscaler Meetup Alloa: Casual networking in Alloa for creatives, techies & founders. Drinks, food & good chat. Thurs 26 June, 5–8pm. Free—register now! MORE INFO
🤝 27/06, 09:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Founder Friday Coworking: Join us for a day of networking and inspiration! this is your chance to connect with fellow founders, share ideas, and maybe even spark your next big project. MORE INFO
🖥️ 28/06, 10:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Makers gonna make - Episode 8: Whether you're a coding novice or a seasoned pro, have a recurring monthly revenue or none at all. Prefer the latest JavaScript framework, the magic of no-code, or maybe just a single index.php file, all are welcome. This is the place where you can start, learn and conquer all the features that have been sitting in your backlog for ages. MORE INFO
🎯 30/06, 17:30 🗺️ Northfield: Market like a Maverick – Bold moves to boost business: Make bold moves in marketing! Hear from mavericks, connect with peers, and spark fresh ideas in this energising evening session. MORE INFO
👩🏻💻 01/07, 09:30 🗺️ Glasgow: Female Founders Co-Working Club - July: Stay inspired, motivated and connected throughout 2025 with the Female Founder Co-Working Club at Glasgow Eagle Labs! MORE INFO
🥗 01/07, 12:00 🗺️ Glasgow: Lunch & Learn - Turning Your Business Journey into a Book: Write your book, share your expertise and watch your business thrive! MORE INFO
☕ Series: Unfiltered: Start your day right with some friendly networking, coffee and excellent chat. An in-person, informal catch-up with the Scottish tech community!
☕︎ 02/07, 08:30 🗺️ Inverness, MORE INFO
☕︎ 02/07, 08:30 🗺️ Aberdeen, MORE INFO
☕︎ 02/07, 08:30 🗺️ Stirling, MORE INFO
☕︎ 02/07, 08:30 🗺️ Dundee, MORE INFO
☕︎ 02/07, 08:30 🗺️ Glasgow, MORE INFO
☕︎ 02/07, 08:30 🗺️ Edinburgh, MORE INFO
💻 05/07, 10:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: AI Agent Build Day: Whether you're a coder or not, you're very welcome to join - but just be aware that this will be a self directed event, rather than a led workshop. We'll share some resources to get you started if you've never built anything like this before, but if you're not sure if this event is for you then just get in touch beforehand. MORE INFO
🍺 09/07, 19:00 🗺️ Aberdeen: Aberdeen - Small99's People, Planet, Pint™: Sustainability Meetup: Pop down to your local People Planet Pint meetup to find more about what's going on locally with sustainability and how you can get involved. MORE INFO
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That’s all for this week - have a great one!
Team 🔥 Campfire