• Swindon & Wiltshire Tech
• Wednesday July 2 2025

Funding boost for Bristol AI consultancy DATA3

A Bristol-based company that helps SMEs to power their growth by leveraging data and AI in secure, scalable ways has secured a £200,000 loan from British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund.

Data and AI consultancy DATA3 will use the funding to help accelerate its growth ambitions and increase its headcount.

Founded in 2017 by female tech entrepreneur Helen Tanner, DATA3 has established itself as a leading data and AI consultancy in Bristol and beyond, with global clients and a global team.

DATA3’s team of data engineers, scientists and analysts work as strategic partners to design and build customised data and AI solutions for their clients.

With a technology-agnostic approach, and a +92 net promoter score, they have grown the business to deliver 300+ data and AI projects to date, with bigger plans for the future.

“DATA3 began as a one-woman start-up and today is an established global award-winning data and AI business with a multi-million pound turnover,” explained Helen.

“This is an exciting phase of our journey and we’re using this finance to scale up the business and create new jobs for local people passionate about data-driven and AI-powered products.

“Growing a business and being competitive is extremely difficult without the right support.

“It’s important to work with a finance partner who understands your vision and we’ve found just that with Jordan at FW Capital.

“He has helped us to access the South West Investment Fund which is supporting our plans to accelerate and strengthen our team.”

Jordan Berg, investment executive at FW Capital led the deal and explained: “DATA3 is a strong, well established female-led business operating in a rapidly growing sector.

“Data analytics and AI are becoming increasingly more important for all businesses. DATA3 are well positioned to maximise new opportunities and continue their growth journey.

‘The support from the South West Investment Fund will enable targeted investment in both growth and people, fostering innovation and creating high-value, skilled employment opportunities within the region.”

Lizzy Upton, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank said: “AI is reshaping every sector, and businesses like DATA3 are at the forefront of that transformation.

“The South West Investment Fund is here to ensure that innovative and ambitious companies in our region have the capital they need to grow and compete on a global stage.”

The South West Investment Fund covers the entire South West region and provides loans from £25k to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million to help small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

Fund manager FW Capital provides debt finance using the South West Investment Fund to businesses in Bristol, Gloucestershire, North and North East Somerset and Wiltshire.

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the region.

It is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.

Pictured: Helen Tanner DATA3, Sam Holwell DATA3 and Jordan Berg FW Capital