PropTech Firm Vanti Acquired by Listed Group

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 42 seconds

Tech

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Quick Read: Birmingham-based PropTech firm Vanti secured a £37,000 acquisition deal with Torpedo Factory Ltd, signalling a strategic pivot for Aukett Swanke into the smart building solutions market.

Amid the precarious landscape of business dynamics, the story of Vanti, a Birmingham-based PropTech firm, stands out as a tale of resilience and revival. Founded in 2006, the company, operating under the name RTS Technology Solutions Ltd, found itself teetering on the brink of insolvency due to financial constraints. However, just as it seemed all was lost, a lifeline emerged in the form of an acquisition offer from Torpedo Factory Ltd, a division of AIM-listed Aukett Swanke.

Vanti, recognised for its master system integration and smart building software services, had garnered attention in the industry, earning a spot on the prestigious PropTech 50 ranking. Despite its accolades, the financial challenges proved insurmountable, leading to the company's voluntary liquidation.

The acquisition, finalised for an initial sum of £37,000, saw Torpedo Factory Ltd securing certain assets of Vanti. This move marks a strategic pivot for Aukett Swanke, positioning itself as a leading player in the smart building solutions market. The company plans to leverage Vanti's expertise and technology to enhance its offerings in this burgeoning sector.

In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, Aukett Swanke expressed optimism about the acquisition, highlighting the addition of Software as a Service (SaaS) revenues from RTS's smart buildings software. The deal also signals the group's intention to expand its operations into the West Midlands, with plans to establish a new office in Birmingham. This expansion is expected to create new employment opportunities and foster growth in the region's tech sector.

Furthermore, Aukett Swanke revealed its commitment to invest up to £425,000 in new equity to support the integration of Vanti's assets and provide the necessary working capital for the expanded business. This infusion of capital underscores the group's confidence in the long-term potential of the acquisition.

Nick Clark, CEO of Aukett Swanke, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, citing Vanti's established reputation in the smart buildings arena and the wealth of experience it brings to the table. The move not only expands Torpedo Factory Group's presence but also positions Aukett Swanke as a significant player in the evolving landscape of smart building technologies.

Despite the challenges faced by Vanti, the acquisition by Torpedo Factory Ltd represents a new chapter in its journey. With the backing of a larger entity and access to additional resources, Vanti is poised to continue its mission of driving innovation in the realm of smart buildings, contributing to the advancement of the industry and the broader tech ecosystem.

What's new

CreaTech Frontiers Launch Unlocks £250K in Funding for West Midlands Creative Innovators

Creative SMEs in the West Midlands are being given a major boost with the launch of CreaTech Frontiers, a new innovation cluster that has opened applications for the first £250,000 round of grant funding.

The programme, which offers individual grants of up to £10,000, is designed to help freelancers and small creative businesses develop groundbreaking ideas at the intersection of creativity and technology. The funding forms part of a £7.2 million, five-year initiative led by a consortium of regional powerhouses including Birmingham City University (BCU), University of Birmingham, Coventry University, University of Warwick, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. It’s funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council as part of the UK Research and Innovation's Creative Industries Cluster Programme.

Photo Credit: University of Warwick

Officially launched on April 29 at STEAMhouse, BCU’s innovation centre, CreaTech Frontiers marks the first time the West Midlands has received funding through this prestigious national scheme.

Professor Lamberto Coccioli, Director of CreaTech Frontiers, said:

“These early-stage grants will give creative entrepreneurs access not just to capital, but also to university-led research and resources that can turn ambitious ideas into reality. This is about unlocking cultural, social and economic value across the region.”

CreaTech Frontiers is aiming to ignite a wave of innovation in sectors like gaming, immersive tech, live performance, visual arts, and creative technologies. Successful applicants will also gain access to facilities across the five partner institutions, along with specialist academic support during the R&D phase.

Future plans include a second, larger round of grant funding, a pilot with Birmingham Opera Company, collaborative projects with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the formation of an apprenticeship working group to support skills development.

Rachel Davis, Director of Warwick Enterprise, said:

“Through this collaboration, we’re strengthening the region’s identity as a creative and tech innovation hub. With a shared focus on inclusion and sustainability, CreaTech Frontiers will ensure diverse voices are at the forefront of this growing ecosystem.”

The West Midlands Combined Authority is also backing the initiative, which it believes could contribute £65 million and create 1,500 jobs by 2030 within the regional creative and gaming economy.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker added:

“Our region is full of bold, young thinkers pushing the boundaries of tech and creativity. CreaTech Frontiers connects these minds with the world-class research coming out of our universities, creating the conditions for global impact.”

Applications open Monday 2 June 2025.

Interested SMEs can register now

to be part of the next generation of CreaTech pioneers.

By Anushka Malhotra

2 May