Vision Zero Connect Raises Capital to Scale ESG Platform Operations

Vision Zero Connect, a Nottinghamshire-based technology company specializing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) solutions, has secured a significant six-figure investment from the British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II in September 2025, signaling a pivotal moment in the firm’s growth trajectory and reflecting increasing investor confidence in the sustainability technology sector.

The funding, delivered through Maven Capital Partners as appointed fund manager for the East and South East Midlands, will accelerate product development, support the rollout of a major national contract, and enable the creation of new jobs at the rapidly expanding firm. For a company that launched just over a year ago in early 2024, this investment represents a remarkable validation of its innovative approach to tackling one of the most pressing challenges facing modern businesses.

Addressing the ESG Imperative

The investment comes at a time when ESG considerations have moved from optional corporate initiatives to essential business imperatives. Companies worldwide are facing mounting pressure from regulators, investors, and consumers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices, creating a burgeoning market for technology solutions that can measure, manage, and report on ESG performance with precision and transparency.

Vision Zero Connect has positioned itself at the forefront of this transformation with two proprietary platforms developed largely in-house. ESG Navigate serves as an end-to-end ESG reporting software, streamlining the complex process of data management, automated supply chain communication, and regulatory compliance. Meanwhile, Portfolio One functions as a live building performance platform, capturing, monitoring, and reporting real-time building performance data across property portfolios.

A Founder’s Vision Realized

The company was founded by Richard Ford, who brings over 30 years of experience in sustainable energy and utility infrastructure consultancy across global markets. Ford’s extensive background has been instrumental in shaping Vision Zero Connect’s mission: to support property portfolios in meeting increasingly complex ESG and energy performance requirements with technology that drives efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.

“This funding marks an important milestone in our growth journey,” Ford explained. “With the support of Maven and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, we can accelerate product innovation and deliver on a major national contract that will showcase the capabilities of our platforms at scale.”

The decision to develop both platforms primarily in-house, with minimal outsourcing, has allowed Vision Zero Connect to retain full ownership of its intellectual property. This strategic advantage enhances the company’s long-term value proposition and competitive positioning in a crowded marketplace.

Strategic Investment for Strategic Growth

The funding will be deployed across three critical areas. First, it will support working capital requirements during the rollout of Vision Zero Connect’s platforms across new customer portfolios. Second, it will accelerate further product enhancements, including the integration of artificial intelligence features that promise to make ESG reporting even more efficient and insightful. Third, it will facilitate strategic growth through the creation of new roles across the business, expanding the team’s capacity to serve an increasing client base.

Sajid Sabir, investment manager at Maven, emphasized the significance of backing companies like Vision Zero Connect. “Supporting businesses like Vision Zero Connect is key to driving meaningful progress in sustainable real estate,” he said. “Their cutting-edge platforms address critical energy and ESG reporting challenges that are becoming essential for institutional investors and asset managers.”

David Tindall, senior investment manager at British Business Bank, added that the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II continues to play a vital role in supporting ambitious businesses across the region. “This latest investment in Vision Zero Connect will help accelerate the company’s product development and create new job opportunities,” he noted. “It’s encouraging to see the Fund helping deliver real, measurable impact for businesses throughout the Midlands.”

A Global Footprint with Local Roots

While headquartered at Hexgreave Hall in Upper Hexgreave, Nottinghamshire, Vision Zero Connect has established a genuinely international presence. The company maintains offices in London, Hong Kong, and has expansion plans for Chicago, positioning itself to serve clients across multiple continents and regulatory environments. This global reach is complemented by platforms designed to recognize and adapt to changing legislative demands, ensuring clients remain compliant regardless of their geographic location.

The company’s ESG Navigate VSME platform, designed specifically for European markets, makes sustainability reporting accessible and affordable for growing businesses, with reporting starting at just €700 per year. This democratization of ESG technology reflects Vision Zero Connect’s commitment to making sustainability achievable for organizations of all sizes, not just large corporations with substantial resources.

Recognition and Partnerships

Vision Zero Connect’s innovative approach has not gone unnoticed. The company has been named in FinTech Global’s prestigious ESGFinTech100, recognizing its platforms’ ability to turn ESG data into verified insights, brand value, and opportunities for accessing green capital. This recognition places Vision Zero Connect among the leading fintech innovators addressing sustainability challenges globally.

The firm has also forged strategic partnerships to enhance its service offering. A collaboration with Ideagen, another Nottingham-based software company, enables Vision Zero Connect to provide comprehensive solutions combining strategic consultancy with robust software capabilities. This partnership addresses a key challenge identified by research showing that less than half of CEOs believe their strategies adequately address ESG risks.

Looking Ahead

For Nottinghamshire’s technology ecosystem, Vision Zero Connect’s success represents more than just capital flowing into a single company. It highlights the region’s growing reputation as a hub for innovative sustainability solutions and demonstrates that companies outside traditional technology centers can compete effectively on the global stage when they combine technical excellence with deep domain expertise.

As ESG requirements continue to evolve and intensify, Vizion Zero Connect appears well-positioned to capitalize on this expanding market. The company’s focus on the property sector (where energy performance and environmental impact are particularly significant) addresses a critical need as buildings account for a substantial portion of global carbon emissions.

The six-figure investment will enable Vision Zero Connect to scale its operations at a crucial juncture, supporting clients as they navigate the complex intersection of sustainability requirements, regulatory compliance, and business performance. With a major national contract win already secured and AI-enhanced features in development, the company’s growth trajectory suggests this investment is merely the beginning of a much larger story about how technology can drive the transition to a more sustainable economy.

For Richard Ford and his team, the journey from founding in 2023 to securing this significant investment demonstrates that the market is ready for sophisticated, user-friendly ESG solutions that deliver tangible value. As the company continues to expand its team, enhance its platforms, and serve an growing global client base, Vision Zero Connect exemplifies how regional businesses can address global challenges while creating local opportunities for growth and employment.