This UK Cybersecurity Startup Just Secured $3.4M to Protect SMEs

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-20

A Leeds-based digital security startup just closed a $3.4 million funding round, and if you're running a small or medium-sized business, you'll want to know why this matters. Xentra, which provides cybersecurity, safeguarding, and compliance solutions for SMEs, secured the investment from Maven VCTs and NPIF II – Maven Equity Finance. The goal? To scale its operations and help more businesses stay safe online. ### What This Funding Means for Xentra The company plans to use the cash to strengthen its senior leadership team, speed up customer acquisition, and boost revenue from its existing base. That's a smart play — because when you're growing fast, you need the right people in place to handle it. Henry Doyle, Xentra's CEO, put it this way: "This investment gives us the resources to accelerate our growth plans and strengthen every part of the business. We have built Xentra by focusing on what matters most: expert advice, responsive support, and solutions that genuinely help our customers manage increasingly complex cybersecurity, compliance, and safeguarding requirements." He added that the funding will allow the company to invest in its people, technology, and customer experience — all while maintaining the high service levels clients expect as the business scales. ### A Quick Look at Xentra's Journey Xentra started life in 2021 as Fairtech Solutions, founded by Marc Fairclough. After an acquisition and strategic restructuring, it rebranded to Xentra. The company operates on a subscription model, delivering managed cybersecurity and digital protection services that help organizations assess, implement, and manage their security infrastructure. Its core offering combines technology, managed services, and specialist expertise through something called STAX bundles and a customer portal. These integrated packages simplify the procurement and management of cybersecurity, compliance, and safeguarding tools. The idea is to help businesses strengthen their digital resilience, reduce complexity, and maintain round-the-clock protection against evolving threats. ### Why Investors Are Betting Big on Xentra Lewis Jones, Investment Manager at Maven, explained the appeal: "Xentra operates in an attractive and growing market with demand for outsourced, subscription-based cybersecurity driven by increasing cyber risk, regulatory standards, and insurance requirements. Henry and the senior team have decades of experience in dealing with cyber vendors to allow them to find the right solutions for customers. The business has quadrupled ARR in the last two years alone across a customer database of over 90, and we are delighted to invest at this time as the business continues to scale." That's a big vote of confidence. Quadrupling annual recurring revenue in two years isn't easy, especially in a space as competitive as cybersecurity. ### What's Next for Xentra? With this funding, Xentra plans to ramp up sales and marketing efforts, further develop its proprietary customer portal, and expand its STAX product suite. These moves should help the company attract new customers, improve retention, and drive recurring revenue growth. ### Key Takeaways for SMEs - **Cybersecurity is a growing concern for small businesses**, and subscription-based models like Xentra's make it easier to access enterprise-grade protection without breaking the bank. - **Investors are paying attention to this space** — expect more funding rounds like this one as demand for outsourced security solutions continues to rise. - **If you're an SME owner**, now might be a good time to evaluate your own cybersecurity setup. Companies like Xentra are making it simpler to stay protected. For Xentra, the future looks bright. With a strong team, a proven model, and fresh capital, the company is well-positioned to help more businesses navigate the increasingly complex world of digital security.