Energy disruptor UrbanChain joins Tech Nation’s Future Fifty 2025 cohort
Manchester-based energy disruptor, UrbanChain, has been selected for the prestigious Future Fifty programme, the only North West company to feature in the listing.
Its inclusion, alongside 24 other new entrants into Tech Nation’s Future Fifty, was announced during an event hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street last night (May 7).
Founded by Somayeh Taheri, UrbanChain helps generators of renewable energy sell it directly to those that want it.
Currently undergoing a KPMG-led £50m Series B fundraise, the CleanTech company has raised around £20m of equity and debt, including from global investment firm Eurazeo, the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and Innovate UK.
Somayeh with PM Sir Keir Starmer inside No 10
UrbanChain CEO Somayeh said: “Joining the Future Fifty 2025 cohort is testament to the impact UrbanChain has made in the energy sector.
“We’ve created alternative renewable markets to write the future of energy. Well positioned to deploy our system at scale within the UK we are also exploring pilot projects in India and the US.
“Over the next three months we are looking forward to leveraging opportunities that the Future Fifty programme provides as we continue to grow and expand.”
Helping buyers and sellers to trade directly, UrbanChain’s system cuts out the big energy suppliers and volatile wholesale markets.
Local authorities, generators of renewable energy, universities, data centres, office buildings, industrial sites and energy suppliers are among those that trade within its regulated AI-powered and blockchain-backed peer-to-peer system.
The Future Fifty announcement comes soon after UrbanChain was named the third fastest-growing private technology company in Britain by The Sunday Times and landed third spot in Deloitte’s prestigious Fast 50.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “With a billion dollar tech sector and the most Unicorns in Europe, the UK has a proud track record in developing innovative technology that will help grow our economy, make our public services more efficient and put more money in people’s pockets.
“The Future Fifty programme plays an important role in supporting the next generation of high growth scale-ups which employ thousands of people in our future industries, powering growth across the UK and turbocharging our Plan for Change.”
