London-based ManholeMetrics is transforming flood resilience with a smart sensor network that monitors levels in sewer and stormwater systems, providing early flood warnings. With tailored innovation and growth support from Innovate UK, the company has raised £878,000 in investment, expanded its team from two to twelve, and secured a dozen international clients across the US, Canada and Germany.
Founded in 2021, ManholeMetrics is addressing the growing challenge of flooding with a wireless sensor system that gives utilities, local authorities and other water asset owners near real-time visibility of water levels in underground drainage networks. By alerting users before flooding occurs, the technology enables faster decision-making, improves infrastructure resilience and helps reduce operational costs.
Will Dubin, Founder of ManholeMetrics, says: “Our sensors turn unseen risks into actionable data. We provide sewer and stormwater network sensors along with a platform to deliver real-time and predictive alerts for flooding to power operational responses by the asset owners and operators.”
Investment readiness fuels business growth
ManholeMetrics began working with Innovate UK Business Growth in 2022 after successfully applying for an Innovate UK Young Innovators award. The award included tailored support from Innovation and Growth Specialist, Bill Welch, who was assigned to the business for the duration of the 12-month programme. Bill has continued to support the company beyond the programme, helping shape its strategic financing and international expansion plans.
Through Innovate UK Business Growth investment readiness support the company received detailed feedback on its proposition, pitch materials and engagement strategy. Through this support, the company gained exposure to early-stage fundraising expertise and helped formalise a shortlist of relevant investors suited to its sector and growth stage.
Will explains: “Having expert input helped us sharpen our messaging and avoid wasting time. We were able to focus our efforts on investors who understood what we were doing and could see the opportunity.”
In April 2023, ManholeMetrics raised £302,000 from angel and VC investors. A further £576,000 followed in December 2024 from a combination of angel and venture capital sources. The skills and confidence gained through Innovate UK Business Growth’s readiness support played a key role in navigating the fundraising process. The company is now preparing for its next funding milestone – a larger-scale “Seed Plus” round aimed at accelerating commercial rollout and team expansion.
Global Explorers opens international doors
To support its international ambitions, ManholeMetrics participated in Global Explorers – an Innovate UK initiative delivered by Innovate UK Business Growth to help high-potential companies engage with overseas markets.
The programme supported the company’s activity in the US, Canada and Germany. This funding covered both a market research study and attendance of several overseas conferences – helping the company enter new territories with greater confidence.
ManholeMetrics has since secured major customers including Toronto Water, City of Windsor ON, City of Bloomington MN and East Bay Municipal Utility District – the second-largest water utility in California – with a new distributor partnership also underway.
Will adds: “Global Explorers eliminated much of the financial risk associated with exploring new markets. It funded research and conferences that let us dip our toe in the water and it served as an entry point for both customers and partners. Since the programme, we’ve grown our North American business substantially – with new clients including the City of Phoenix, City of Olathe and many others.”
UK-made technology with global reach
ManholeMetrics manufactures its sensor systems in the UK, contributing to job creation, innovation and domestic productivity. Since first engaging with Innovate UK Business Growth, the company has expanded from a team of two to twelve, with further recruitment expected as demand continues to grow.
Its international success forms part of a longer-term journey with Innovate UK, which began with the Young Innovators award and continues today through ongoing support from Bill.
The breadth of support we’ve received from Innovate UK Business Growth has been invaluable. From protecting our ideas to opening doors internationally, the guidance has helped us grow with confidence and keep our focus on delivering innovation that benefits society.
– Will Dubin, Founder of ManholeMetrics