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

West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator Unlocks Nearly £50M in Private Investment

The West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA), led by the University of Birmingham, has generated an impressive £49.4 million in private co-investment within its first two years, significantly surpassing its original £14.5 million public funding allocation.

Funded through the Innovation Accelerator programme, coordinated by Innovate UK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and UK Research and Innovation, WMHTIA has become a leading force in advancing health technology innovation across the region.

The majority of the private investment—£36.3 million—was directly committed by investors to enterprises supported by the Accelerator. This achievement represents a threefold return on the initial public investment, demonstrating the strong investor confidence in the region’s health tech sector.

Powering Health Innovation Through Collaboration

The WMHTIA brings together 21 partners from academia, industry, and the NHS to help healthtech companies develop, validate, and commercialise cutting-edge medical technologies. So far, companies supported through the programme have also secured an additional £10 million in national public grants from agencies including NIHR, Eureka, and Innovate UK.

Including both public and private contributions, the total investment leveraged by WMHTIA now stands at £67.3 million.

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham:

We’re proud to support startups through the riskiest stages of innovation so more life-saving technologies reach patients. This exceptional investment proves what’s possible when academia, the NHS, and industry work together to drive economic growth and better health outcomes.

In March 2025, the Innovation Accelerator programme was extended with a further £30 million, including £4 million for the WMHTIA to continue supporting the region’s innovators in 2025/26.

Backing the Future of Health Tech

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands:

The West Midlands is leading medical tech innovation—from faster diagnoses to shorter hospital stays. Healthtech isn’t just improving lives; it’s creating secure, high-value jobs that drive inclusive growth.

Dean Cook, Executive Director of Place and Global, Innovate UK:

This programme shows how place-based innovation can unlock greater business investment in R&D. By connecting the region’s strengths, we’re creating high-value jobs and building globally significant innovation capability.

The WMHTIA continues to strengthen the region’s reputation as a national hub for health technology, with far-reaching benefits for patient care, job creation, and regional economic development.

By Anushka Malhotra

24 Jun