Handshaik Raises £1.7 Million in Pre-Seed Funding
Handshaik, a London-based startup that integrates data, AI, and dealmaking into an end-to-end platform for smarter growth, has successfully raised £1.7 million in a pre-seed funding round. The company, founded by Joshua Port and co-founded by Gabriel Bauernfreund, aims to revolutionize the deal origination market with its AI-driven solutions.
Background and Founder's Vision
Joshua Port, the founder and CEO of Handshaik, conceived the idea for the platform while working in mergers and acquisitions at KPMG. At just 26, Port is already making waves in the financial technology sector, building on his insights from the inefficiencies he observed in traditional deal origination processes. "The technologies on offer were expensive, often lacked focus, delivered low-quality data, and, crucially, failed to support the way originators actually work," Port said.
Handshaik's platform is designed to streamline these processes by creating analyst-grade profiles for every UK company. The AI technology identifies the best-fit opportunities based on user briefs and enriches relevant contacts with verified emails and mobile numbers. This allows teams to focus more on relationship-building rather than administrative tasks.
Funding Details
The pre-seed round, completed on May 27, 2026, raised £1.7 million from over 20 angel investors. While there was no lead investor disclosed, the substantial backing from multiple angels underscores the confidence in Handshaik's innovative approach to deal origination.
Use of Funds
The funds will be utilized to further develop Handshaik's platform, enhancing its AI capabilities and expanding its database of company profiles. Additionally, the company plans to attract more users and increase its market presence by refining its technology to better meet the needs of its clients.
Future Outlook
With the fresh capital, Handshaik is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory and drive significant advancements in the dealmaking sector. The company's focus on AI and data-driven solutions aligns with current trends in financial technology, offering a promising outlook for its future development and market impact.
Handshaik's innovative approach to deal origination is set to make a mark in the industry, providing a more efficient and user-friendly experience for professionals involved in dealmaking and mergers and acquisitions.