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Apr 22, 2026
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Startups
Artificial Intelligence
Europe
NewDecoded
3 min read

Image by Mercia
Milton Keynes-based Serve First has successfully closed a £5 million (€5.7 million) follow-on funding round. The investment comes from existing backers Pembroke VCT and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, managed by Mercia Ventures. This capital injection follows a rapid expansion period where the company nearly doubled its annual recurring revenue within a single year. Founded in 2023, the platform helps multi-site organizations manage customer performance and operational audits. Major brands including Brentford FC, The Body Shop, and Topps Tiles already use the software to bridge the gap between head office data and frontline action. The company also recently expanded into Europe by securing a major contract with a pharmacy network operating 2,500 locations.
At the core of the platform is an AI engine that analyzes feedback from surveys, online reviews, and mystery shopping in real-time. Instead of just displaying data on a dashboard, the system uses machine learning to generate automated workflows for staff. This ensures that localized issues are identified and resolved immediately without manual intervention from head office. CEO Erol Ayvaz, a veteran of technology leadership at Asana, plans to use the funds to strengthen sales and marketing teams. The company is currently seeking a Chief Revenue Officer to oversee its push into new international markets. Further investment will also be directed toward agentic AI capabilities that allow the platform to drive autonomous decision-making for businesses.
Beyond general retail, Serve First has developed specialized tools to help UK venues comply with the new Martyn’s Law safety legislation. The software allows operators to track and evidence mandatory security protocols across hundreds of locations simultaneously. This adaptability has made the platform a vital tool for compliance-heavy industries including health, wellness, and facilities management.
The swift follow-on investment in Serve First highlights a significant shift in how the industry views customer experience software. While traditional enterprise tools often focus on passive analytics, the market is moving toward agentic AI systems that act as a system of record for frontline execution. By solving the persistent insight-to-action gap, Serve First is positioning itself as a horizontal layer that is indispensable for any physical business operating at scale. This deal proves that high-conviction capital is still available for startups that can demonstrate rapid revenue growth and clear operational impact in a cautious venture environment.
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