Bath-headquartered medical device business ReadyGo Diagnostics has secured a £500,000 equity investment to support product development, commercial partnerships, and R&D.
Founded in 2016 by CEO, Dr Ben Cobb, who has spent his career innovating new diagnostic products including the GeneDrive diagnostic system and chair, Elaine Warburton, healthcare entrepreneur and former CEO at medical technology company QuantuMDx, ReadyGo is a developer of diagnostics tests and tools for use both at point-of-care and in the lab.
It has a product offering encompassing sample collection, preparation and testing for consumer and professional use, alongside testing development services. Tailored for use on diagnostic platforms and other laboratory-based systems, ReadyGo’s products can also be applied in agricultural and veterinary diagnostics and in forensic settings.
ReadyGo’s key product is SnapCollect, a one-piece disposable device which integrates sample collection and preparation, in seconds, for a range of sample types. Once a sample has been collected the user then bends the device to break an internal valve releasing exactly the amount of fluid required for diagnostic testing. This simple process allows the team to lower the cost of sample testing, and offers a more user friendly, reliable and robust way of sampling to replace the swab-on-a-stick method.
Support from the South West Investment Fund will allow the business to invest in product development and progress commercial partnerships. Funding will also support R&D at the company’s laboratory facilities at Newark Works, Bath Quays South, as well as invest in its team to increase headcount as the business works to service the growing demand for its innovative products.
Allie Lindsay, investment director at fund manager Maven which led the deal, said: “ReadyGo has developed innovative and cost-effective technology drawing commercial interest from leading diagnostics and pharmaceutical players. The team has utilised their combined 100+ years’ diagnostics knowledge, skills and know-how to develop and commercialise a suite of simple products enabling lab and decentralised testing solutions to move into the new field of consumer diagnostics. We’re delighted to invest at this time and support Ben and the team as the business embarks on a programme of growth.”
Dr Ben Cobb, CEO at ReadyGo added: “Through Maven, the South West Investment Fund’s investment in ReadyGo comes at a pivotal moment for us. 2025 is set to be a breakthrough year, with major commercial partnerships for SnapCollect following rigorous technical and clinical evaluations. This backing fuels our expansion, driving innovation while championing British technology and growth in Bath and the South West.”
Paul Jones, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank said: “ReadyGo have developed a range of easy to use products that looks to lower costs and produce reliable lab-grade testing in almost any location. The South West Investment Fund is here to back innovation and help businesses like ReadyGo scale up and bring their groundbreaking technology to market.”
