Manchester-based SafetyCulture has closed an £85 million round of funding, valuing the company at £1.3 billion.

In the UK alone, SafetyCulture’s workplace operations platform is used by more than 25,000 businesses to enable better working practices and boost productivity.

The new investment will significantly benefit Manchester by bolstering its reputation as a thriving hub for technology and innovation. Its Manchester office houses SafetyCulture’s growing EMEA team as it expands its customer base, which already includes the NHS, National Grid, British Airways, and Transport for London. With SafetyCulture’s EMEA team based in the city, the company’s continued expansion will drive job creation and attract top talent to the region, further enhancing Manchester’s position as a key player in the global tech scene.

The funding round, which sees SafetyCulture become a unicorn, was led by Airtree Ventures and joined by existing investors Blackbird and Morpheus Ventures.

Founder and CEO of SafetyCulture Luke Anear said, “We have now closed this round and are excited about the opportunities it creates for us to accelerate our growth and help even more customers. It’s a tough environment to be raising in, but we’re proud of the results the business is delivering and pleased that we can continue to create regular liquidity events for early investors and long-term employees.”

The launch of SafetyCulture’s workplace operations platform in October 2023 introduced new capabilities in training, asset management, sensors, and IoT functionality.

SafetyCulture has added 100 new roles over the past six months, with more than 800 employees now working from its six offices around the world to support its accelerating global growth and track towards its ambitious target of reaching 100 million users by 2032.

85,000 businesses and close to two million people around the world now use the platform.

Anear said: "We’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to transforming frontline work. Few tech companies have our direct reach to frontline workers across so many different industries, so we have both a responsibility and a massive opportunity to create significant change for these people."

Kell Reilly, partner at Airtree Ventures, said: “Having tracked SafetyCulture’s journey to date, now is an opportune time to join them at this inflection point. 

“SafetyCulture has all the hallmarks of Silicon Valley’s tech heavyweights–a compelling vision, product, scale and team. We’re excited to partner with another Aussie success story that’s making waves on the global stage.”

The local economy will gain from increased business activity and investment opportunities. At the same time, the presence of a high-growth company like SafetyCulture will foster collaboration and innovation across Manchester's wider business community. This momentum is expected to spur further development in the tech ecosystem, drawing more startups, investors, and entrepreneurs to the city.