This UK Cybersecurity Startup Just Raised $3.45 Million to Defend SMEs

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-20

A UK-based digital security startup is making moves to protect small and medium-sized businesses from the growing wave of cyber threats. Xentra, headquartered in Leeds, has secured $3.45 million in funding to expand its cybersecurity, safeguarding, and compliance services. The investment comes from Maven VCTs and NPIF II – Maven Equity Finance, and it's set to fuel the company's next growth phase. ### What the Funding Means for Xentra This cash injection isn't just about keeping the lights on. Xentra plans to use it to strengthen its senior leadership team, accelerate customer acquisition, and boost revenue from its existing client base. The company's CEO, Henry Doyle, put it simply: "This investment gives us the resources to accelerate our growth plans and strengthen every part of the business." Doyle emphasized that Xentra has always focused on what really matters—expert advice, responsive support, and solutions that help customers manage increasingly complex cybersecurity, compliance, and safeguarding requirements. "The funding will allow us to invest in our people, our technology, and our customer experience," he added. ### The Backstory: From Fairtech Solutions to Xentra Xentra wasn't always called Xentra. It was founded in 2021 by Marc Fairclough as Fairtech Solutions. The rebranding came after an acquisition and strategic restructuring. Today, the company delivers managed cybersecurity and digital protection services through a subscription-based model. That means businesses can assess, implement, and manage their security infrastructure without needing a full in-house team. ### How Xentra's STAX Bundles Work At the heart of Xentra's offering are its STAX bundles and customer portal. These integrated packages combine technology, managed services, and specialist expertise. The goal? Simplify the procurement and management of cybersecurity, compliance, and safeguarding tools. For organizations, this means stronger digital resilience, less complexity, and around-the-clock protection against evolving threats. ### Why Investors Are Betting on Xentra Lewis Jones, Investment Manager at Maven, explained why they're backing the startup. "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." He also highlighted the team's experience: "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 numbers back up the hype. Xentra has quadrupled its annual recurring revenue (ARR) in the last two years alone, across a customer base of over 90 businesses. That kind of growth is hard to ignore. ### What's Next for Xentra? With this funding, the company has big plans. Expect continued investment in sales and marketing, further development of the proprietary customer portal, and expansion of the STAX product suite. These moves are designed to strengthen the company's modular, subscription-based offering. The result? More opportunities to attract new customers, boost retention, and drive recurring revenue growth. ### The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for SMEs Small and medium-sized businesses are increasingly targets for cyberattacks. They often lack the resources or expertise to defend themselves effectively. Xentra's model makes enterprise-grade security accessible and affordable. By outsourcing their cybersecurity needs, SMEs can focus on what they do best—running their businesses—while staying protected. This investment is a vote of confidence in that approach. As cyber threats continue to evolve, companies like Xentra will play a crucial role in keeping smaller organizations safe.