23 May 2025

We are delighted to announce that Vortex IQ Ltd has received advance assurance for the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) from HMRC. This milestone confirms that Vortex IQ meets the stringent requirements set out by HMRC and enables prospective investors to benefit from the valuable tax reliefs associated with EIS-qualifying investments.

What This Approval Means for Vortex IQ and Our Investors

EIS Advance Assurance Granted

On 23 May 2025, HMRC issued formal confirmation that Vortex IQ has been granted advance assurance under Section 204(1) of the Income Tax Act 2007. This approval, communicated by HMRC’s Venture Capital Reliefs Team, allows us to issue compliance certificates to individual investors, providing them with up to 30 % income tax relief on qualifying EIS subscriptions. It also enables investors to defer capital gains tax liabilities if gains are reinvested in Vortex IQ shares .

Our Mission: Democratise AI-Powered Automation for All E-Tailers

At Vortex IQ, we are on a mission to empower millions of e-commerce businesses—big and small—to thrive in an increasingly competitive digital world by creating intelligent digital workers powered by AI. Our platform provides flexible, easy-to-use AI agents that businesses can customise to their unique workflows, automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks and streamlining complex operations.

  • Level the Playing Field: For the first time, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can operate with the same efficiency and agility as large corporations, without requiring large upfront investments or specialised technical teams.
  • Democratisation of Technology: By lowering the barrier to AI-driven automation, we enable entrepreneurs to reduce errors, save costs and increase revenue.
  • Social and Economic Impact: As more merchants adopt AI-powered digital workers, entire communities and economies benefit. Increased profitability and operational efficiency translate into job creation, better services and sustainable growth.

Vortex IQ is not just a technology provider; we are a partner for business success, committed to accelerating the widespread adoption of AI in e-commerce. We envisage a future where AI-driven digital workers are the backbone of thriving, sustainable commerce, transforming the lives of entrepreneurs and communities everywhere.

Why Vortex IQ Stands Apart

  1. Agentic AI Tailored for E-Commerce
    Unlike generic automation tools, our AI agents are specifically designed for e-tailers—from Fortune 500 merchants down to sole traders. Each agent can be customised to address particular roles, such as digital merchandising, dynamic pricing, customer support automation and more.
  2. Model Context Protocol (MCP) Integration
    Leveraging the latest MCP standard, Vortex IQ enables seamless, context-aware communication between agents. This collaborative “agent-to-agent” workflow adapts dynamically to real-time data, automating complex tasks that were previously thought impossible.
  3. Elite Marketplace Partnerships
    As an elite BigCommerce partner, we look forward to serve over 60,000 merchants worldwide. Our imminent launches on Shopify and Adobe Commerce marketplaces will further broaden our reach, making MCP-powered automation accessible on the leading e-commerce platforms.
  4. Safe Testing via Staging & Cloning
    Our proprietary staging and cloning solution allows merchants to test AI-driven changes in a risk-free environment before rolling them out live. This ensures flawless execution and minimal disruption to daily operations.
  5. Comprehensive Digital Workforce
    Vortex IQ’s platform currently covers eleven critical e-commerce roles, saving organisations over £50,000 annually on average. As businesses create more custom agents, these benefits compound, delivering unparalleled operational efficiencies and revenue growth.
  6. Global Recognition & Trust
    Our rapid progress has been acknowledged by Microsoft’s GenAI Accelerator, Techstars UK, TechCrunch 200 and GoFocal—placing Vortex IQ among the top 1 % of startups worldwide.

How We Will Use EIS-Qualifying Funds

Securing EIS status propels us into our next phase of innovation. The funding will accelerate the development of key initiatives that make AI automation accessible to every e-commerce business—regardless of technical expertise:

  1. No-Code AI Agent Studio
    We will build an intuitive, visual studio that empowers users to design and deploy custom AI agents via drag-and-drop components, pre-built templates and guided workflows. This will remove barriers to entry and unlock automation for merchants who currently rely on developers.
  2. Natural Language Interface (Text & Voice)
    Leveraging advanced natural language processing (NLP) and speech recognition, merchants will be able to create and configure AI agents simply by typing instructions or speaking commands. This voice-first interface will transform how businesses engage with AI, making automation more intuitive and inclusive.
  3. Context-Aware AI Assistance
    Our platform will incorporate intelligent “co-pilot” helpers that guide users step-by-step through workflow creation. By analysing each merchant’s unique data, these assistants will suggest optimisations in real time—dramatically reducing learning curves and improving success rates.
  4. Mobile & Multi-Platform Accessibility
    We will develop mobile-friendly applications and responsive dashboards, enabling business owners to monitor and manage AI agents anytime, anywhere—ensuring uninterrupted operational efficiency.
  5. Expanded AI Agent Library & Integrations
    Funding will support the expansion of our role-specific agent portfolio and integration with additional platforms (e.g. new marketplaces, third-party logistics providers), increasing the relevance and reach of our digital workforce.
  6. Enhanced Security, Scalability & Compliance
    We will invest in strengthening platform security and data privacy—continuing our ISO 27001 enhancements—to build trust with merchants handling sensitive customer information.
  7. Customer Success & Training Programmes
    To maximise adoption, we’ll launch rich onboarding experiences, interactive tutorials and AI-powered support tools that help users quickly realise value.

Introducing Vortex IQ Agent Hub: The Factory for Digital Workers

Imagine a centralised platform where, instead of hiring dozens of specialists, you “manufacture” AI-powered talent on demand. Vortex IQ Agent Hub makes this a reality:

  • Factory-Style Creation: Define a new AI skill in minutes—for instance, “product description writer” or “inventory forecaster.”
  • Agent Assembly Line: Combine multiple skills into a single agent. For example, an “AI Product Manager Worker” that both writes compelling descriptions and predicts stock needs.

On-Demand Workforce: Deploy these agents as digital workers within your existing apps, websites or back-office tools—no lengthy integrations or hiring delays.

With over 100 pre-integrations today (and hundreds more in the pipeline), Vortex IQ Agent Hub is building a true “factory” for e-commerce talent. Whether you need a dedicated customer-support bot, a marketing automation specialist or a full-stack e-commerce strategist, you can craft and launch your AI team in moments—freeing your human colleagues to focus on strategy, creativity and high-value work.

Join Us on Our Journey

If you’re an EIS-qualifying investor interested in supporting Vortex IQ’s mission, please reach out to [email protected]. Together, we can democratise access to AI-driven automation, empower millions of businesses and drive inclusive, sustainable growth across communities worldwide.

Stay tuned for further updates as we roll out new features, expand our integrations and work tirelessly to make AI automation an everyday tool in the e-commerce toolbox. Thank you for your continued support—this EIS approval is only the beginning.