We see a lot of AI pitches, and that’s an understatement. Many of them sound very similar – transformative, revolutionary, game changer. So when David Lynes at Unique IQ described AI simply as ‘a colleague’ it actually made me think that sometimes the least flashy framing is the most accurate one.
Not all AI stories involve humanoid robots or autonomous vehicles. Some of them involve a warehouse manager finally getting home in time for dinner. The less headline-grabbing applications of AI – reducing operational complexity, automating the mundane, surfacing better information faster – are quietly having an enormous impact on scaling businesses. It’s something we’re seeing in a number of the businesses we have invested in across the West Midlands.
As organisations grow, so do the demands on their teams; managing workflows, analysing data, coordinating operations and responding quickly to customers. AI is helping businesses manage that complexity more effectively, allowing teams to focus their time on higher-value work.
It’s a perspective that reflects a broader shift happening across scaling businesses. Rather than viewing AI as a standalone productivity tool, more organisations are integrating intelligent systems into day-to-day operations to support decision-making, reduce administrative burden, and improve operational efficiency.
At Future Planet Capital Regional, we are seeing this shift play out across our portfolio.
Unique IQ helps organisations manage complex remote workforces automating scheduling oversight, flagging issues in real time and giving managers back the headspace to actually lead rather than just react. It’s a practical application of intelligent software solving a genuinely painful problem.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Iain Coplans at Stok.ly, which is doing something similar for retailers and wholesalers drowning in inventory complexity. One system bringing stock, warehouse, and sales channels together in one place. The kind of thing that sounds simple – until you’ve watched a scaling business try to manage its operations across five different spreadsheets at 11pm.
Whatever AI looks like in five years’ time, one thing seems clear: the businesses using it now to strengthen their operational core, remove barriers to growth, and improve how their teams work, are building the kind of foundation that scales. That’s what excites us.
At Future Planet Capital Regional, we back founders building scalable technologies with practical, real-world application. The West Midlands is producing more of those companies than people realise – we see it every week.
If you’re building a technology-driven business in the region, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch here.
Daniel Gaize
Investment Associate, Future Planet Capital
