In a significant boost for the North East's technology sector, Sunderland-based software firm Moralbox has successfully secured a £550,000 investment to accelerate the growth of its innovative workforce training platform.
The funding round was spearheaded by Northstar Ventures, with substantial contributions from Creative UK and a consortium of angel investors. This capital injection will fuel the company's ambitious plans to build what it describes as the first unified workforce intelligence ecosystem.
Powering High-Risk Industries with Real-Time Data
Founded in 2013, Moralbox specialises in developing software that automates training and compliance management for businesses operating in high-risk, labour-intensive sectors. Its core clientele includes prominent names in food and drink production, manufacturing, and the automotive industry.
The platform's technology automatically tracks every skill, certificate, and regulatory requirement in real time. This provides managers with unprecedented visibility over their workforce's competencies while simultaneously slashing administrative burdens. Notable customers already benefiting from the system include Thompsons of Prudhoe and Cranswick Yorkshire Baker, a key part of the Cranswick Foods empire.
A Coalition of Backers for Ambitious Growth
The £550,000 investment is structured with £350,000 coming from Northstar's Venture Sunderland Fund, £150,000 from Creative UK’s North East Fund, and a further £50,000 from angel investors.
As part of the deal, Steve Spark, a seasoned executive with experience from SaaS companies like Mandata and 4Projects, has joined Moralbox as Chairman. His appointment is expected to provide valuable guidance as the company scales.
Investor and Leadership Confidence
Tom O’Neill, Investment Manager at Northstar Ventures, commented on the deal, stating: "We are very pleased to complete our investment in Moralbox, which is the third investment from our Venture Sunderland Fund. Moralbox is developing impressive AI powered training management software and is already working with well-established customers in key industries."
Gordon MacPherson, Co-founder and CEO of Moralbox, expressed his excitement about this milestone. "This investment is a hugely exciting step for Moralbox and for the North East’s growing tech community," he said. "With the backing of our investors, we can accelerate innovation, scale faster and bring our vision for AI-powered workforce intelligence to life."
Malcolm King, Investment Manager at Creative UK, added his perspective, highlighting the shifting skills landscape: "We are seeing a fundamental shift in required skillsets... Their AI powered training management software is transforming how businesses can manage their training and compliance requirements in this ever-evolving world."
This investment marks a pivotal moment for the Sunderland firm as it positions itself at the forefront of AI-driven workforce development, aiming to become an indispensable tool for modern, compliance-focused industries.
