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Baltic Ventures has awarded a £50,000 cash prize to three standout startups: ClassHoppa, ValArt and Harker.
The non-dilutive funding culminates the second year of Baltic Ventures’ transformative Launchpad programme; a complement to their flagship Accelerator programme.
Now in its second year, Launchpad is a six-month, cohort-based programme designed to support early-stage digital tech businesses in the Liverpool City Region. Founders gain access to monthly masterclasses, one-to-one coaching, peer-to-peer learning and the opportunity to pitch for a share of £50,000.
A cohort of 14 startups joined the programme in January 2025. The £50,000 prize fund, generously contributed by an angel investor and philanthropist who is part of Baltic Ventures’ angel syndicate, was distributed among the top three startups, recognising their exceptional potential and progress made during the programme.
“We couldn’t be happier to celebrate the achievements and success of ValArt, ClassHoppa and Harker,” said Baltic Ventures community manager Becca Harvey.
“Launchpad was created to empower founders who were told by investors they were “too early” in their commercialisation journey and to support them on that path. It’s been an absolute privilege getting to know this cohort over the last six months and inspiring to see how far they have all come.”
Cllr Mike Wharton, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade, said: “Creating an environment that allows innovative entrepreneurs to flourish is a key priority for the Combined Authority and exactly why we invested more than £4m in Baltic Ventures. The digital tech sector is one of our strengths and it’s great to see the variety of start-up businesses that have won this additional funding. I hope it will help them on the road to success.”
Meet the Winners
ValArt: A platform enabling collectors to catalog, value, and manage their collectibles, offering tools for portfolio tracking and end-of-life planning.
ClassHoppa: An Edtech solution connecting parents with extracurricular activities for children, simplifying the discovery and booking process.
Harker: An AI-enabled platform assisting homelessness charities in optimizing support systems and demonstrating social impact.
Founder Testimonials
“Launchpad has been the most incredible opportunity for ClassHoppa; we’ve loved every minute. The Baltic Ventures team are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. Their support and expertise throughout the programme have been transformative for both the company and us as entrepreneurs. The opportunity to grow alongside a cohort of talented businesses on the programme has been fantastic — it’s pushed us further and set us up for long-term success.”
— Siobhan Fox, co-founder, ClassHoppa
“Launchpad was the missing wing of our rocket ship (Harker), and has truly helped us prepare for take-off. Launchpad gave us the space and opportunity to work on key parts of our business plan that had fallen to the side whilst we built and grew. Through the programme we properly figured out our value proposition and ensured that we had it written down and locked in. We are delighted to have won a prize and will spend it securing our first customers.”
— James Barber, Co-founder and CEO of Harker
“ValArt and I feel extremely fortunate to have been selected for the Baltic Ventures 2025 Launchpad Cohort. This opportunity arrived at the perfect time, as we needed guidance to elevate our business. It didn’t just help us reach the next level; it propelled us through several levels, taking us further than I ever imagined! We are now having customer conversations that seemed like dreams before this program, and it has given me the confidence to engage in these discussions.
The entire team at Baltic Ventures is phenomenal—kind and supportive individuals who have been with us every step of the way, always open and approachable. This program has been fantastic, and I am truly disappointed that it is coming to an end, but as they say, ‘All good things must come to an end.’”
— Elliott Riley-Walsh, Founder of ValArt
The strength of the Liverpool Ecosystem
In addition to the three winners, Carbon Happy World and Scenegraph were both highly commended by the Baltic Ventures’ team and judging panel.
Claire Lewis, co-founder and CEO of Baltic Ventures, said their work “stood out for its innovation and potential”, adding that the team was excited about their future.
She said: “I’ve been genuinely impressed by the calibre of this year’s cohort. Each of the teams brought fresh ideas, real ambition, and a strong sense of purpose. It’s been inspiring to watch them grow and tackle meaningful challenges head-on.
“Their progress is also a reflection of the strength and depth of the Liverpool tech ecosystem, which continues to thrive and attract exceptional talent.”
Quotes from Highly Commended startups
“A huge thanks to the entire team for their unwavering support and for creating such an impactful experience over the last 6 months. This recognition from the panel really fuels our passion for Carbon Happy World’s small business product ‘RYPL’s mission and validates the hard work and dedication our team has poured into making a real difference for the SME community. We’re excited to build on this momentum, sharpen our focus on our go-to-market strategy, and continue our journey toward a more sustainable future for all. We are so grateful to be part of the Launchpad alumni network.”
– Martin Thornton, co-founder, Carbon Happy World
“Working with the team at Baltic works. We have been in business for a few years but looking to grow. The launchpad sessions helped clear the path, prioritise what is important, and help us build a better culture.
I feel I am a better leader for the company and the team, and this is all down to the team, resources, and the sessions put on by the Baltic team. The sessions are interactive, and people actually talk about ways to improve each other’s businesses and processes. I have not been on business sessions like this before and it is so worth it.”
– David Tully, co-founder, Scenegraph
