Building the Next Wave
of Deep Tech?

We build, back and scale operator-led ventures in the sectors we know inside out.

For over 20 years, Zizo has delivered mission-critical data platforms across logistics, maritime, infrastructure and regulated R&D environments. Now, through Zizo Ventures, we’re turning that operating experience into a venture engine.

We don’t just invest.

We build.

We deploy.

We scale.

0+
Years Experience
0m+
Revenue Created
0 Years
Time-to-Market Acceleration

Why We Exist

Deep technology is hard.

It requires:

Most early-stage ventures have one or two of these.

We have all five.

For two decades, we have reinvested profits back into R&D, building patented technologies, AI-driven systems and scalable data platforms used by global enterprises.

Zizo Ventures is the formalisation of that engine.

Venture Building, Not Passive Investing

We operate as an operator-led venture studio and seed investor.

Spin-Out Ventures

We commercialise internally developed platforms into standalone companies, with Zizo as seed investor and strategic partner.

Co-Build with Founders

We partner with entrepreneurs building in our focus sectors, providing:

  • Technical architecture support
  • Data engineering capability
  • Enterprise access
  • Commercial validation
  • Credibility in regulated markets

Structured Capital Pathways

Our model enables ventures to:

  • Access private capital
  • Engage public innovation funding
  • Position for institutional scale

We build ventures to be credible peers to venture capital-backed companies and corporate venture arms — not lifestyle spin-outs.

Sector Interest

We focus exclusively on sectors where we have delivered complex systems at scale.

Maritime

Ports, shipping, vessel intelligence, trade flows.

Freight/Logistics

Including parcels, multi-modal freight and supply chain optimisation.

Infrastructure management

Rail, road and critical infrastructure systems.

Research & Development

Data-driven platforms at global scale.

Med Tech

Applied AI, bias detection, behavioural analysis and regulated environments.

We don’t speculate outside our expertise.

We build where we have domain depth, customer access and technical authority.

Apply to Build a Venture with Zizo

Get In Touch

Proven Track Record

Our technologies are not theoretical.

They are battle-tested.

Logistics Platform (2007)

Client: Parcelforce / Royal Mail

Year: 2007

Still live. Still mission critical.

  • Patented in-memory database architecture
  • Powers enterprise-scale operational intelligence
  • 20-year customer relationship
  • £500k investment
  • £10m+ return to date

Retail Intelligence Platform (2012)

Client: Marks & Spencer

Year: 2012

Enterprise-grade efficiency. Built lean.

  • Near real-time sales analytics
  • 8+ billion transactions accessible
  • 9,000+ users
  • Single-server infrastructure
  • £400k investment
  • £3m return

Global R&D Study Platform (2021)

Client: British American Tobacco

Year: 2021

Still live. Still mission critical.

  • Enables large-scale behavioural studies
  • Billions of data points
  • Mobile-native compliance and engagement
  • £50k investment
  • £600k return to date
https://zizo.ventures/

Current Ventures

As an operator-led investor and venture building, Zizo Ventures will focus its aims on sectors where we have credible, real world experience of building, developing, managing and supporting solution at scale. These are:

Confluence

Launching 2026 (TRL 8)

Confluence combines Zizo’s patented database architecture with modern machine learning and large language models to transform data engineering and analytics.

Already gaining commercial traction across freight, maritime and infrastructure.

Current clients include:

  • Welch Group

  • Port of Tyne

  • Portsmouth Port

  • British American Tobacco

Current clients include:

  • Department for Transport

  • Connected Places Catapult

£250k invested to date.
£1.5m near-term pipeline opportunity.

This is not concept-stage AI.
This is applied, revenue-generating infrastructure technology.

Project Gemini

Launch target: 2026 (TRL 4/5)

Developed in partnership with Homerton College.

Gemini uses AI and machine learning to help organisations detect bias across recruitment and training processes.

Early engagement from:

  • Arm

  • Percival

  • NHS

Built for enterprises operating under regulatory and reputational scrutiny.

Core Team

Experience That De-Risks Innovation

Peter Ruffley

Chief Technologist

Founder of Zizo.
40+ years in enterprise data systems.

Background includes senior engagement with:

  • Oracle

  • IBM

  • Ingres

Deep technical-market judgement across data platforms, cloud analytics and AI-adjacent product evolution.

Operator. Founder. Long-cycle builder.

Dr. Tom Longshaw

Chief Technologist

PhD in Computational Semantics, University of Manchester.

Former Ministry of Defence modelling and simulation specialist.

Co-founded Clearpace Software (raised £20m+, later sold to Teradata).

Reader in Computer Science at University of Buckingham.

Architect behind Zizo’s patented database innovations and adaptive cache strategies.

Deep data thinker. Long-horizon technologist.

Matthew Napleton

Chief Technologist

20+ years in enterprise technology sales and commercialisation.

Led customer acquisition across logistics, ports and R&D sectors.

Council member:

  • Society of Maritime Industries (Digital Technology & Ports & Terminals Groups)

Commercial operator with sector credibility.

Partner With Us

We work with:

Founders building in maritime, freight, infrastructure, R&D or medtech

Corporate innovation teams seeking venture pathways

Public funding bodies seeking credible operators

Private investors looking for de-risked deep tech exposure

If you are building something ambitious in a sector we understand — let’s talk.

Zizo Ventures

Operator-led innovation.

Built to scale.

Let’s Build the Next
Venture Together