AwakenAngels, Ireland's only women-led investment syndicate, celebrates £1.2M global pre-seed raise by Belfast-based portfolio company

AwakenAngels, Ireland's first and only women-led investment syndicate, is celebrating after Movetru, the second-ever company in its portfolio, has closed a £1.2M/€1.4M/$1.6M global Pre-Seed funding round, led by UK-based venture capital firm Two Magnolias. Belfast-based Movetru provides a wearable and app solution that is redefining movement analysis and injury ​mitigation​​ for athletes.  

 

With currently only 2% of funding globally going to solely women-founded businesses, AwakenAngels was formed in 2023 by AwakenHub, the all-island community for women founders, to significantly increase the number of women angel investors investing in women-founded businesses on the island of Ireland. The syndicate, which is supported by British Business Bank and InterTradeIreland, educates women on angel investing and offers membership of its syndicate from as little as £2K. Investments by the syndicate are only made in women founders from the island of Ireland.

 

Movetru founder, Naomi McGregor, is also a member of AwakenHub and has previously been on two of the prominent St Brigid’s Day trade missions to the United States run by both organisations. 

 

 

AwakenAngels syndicate members now join an international investment coalition for the raise that includes Two Magnolias, IAG Capital (USA), HBAN (Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland), Angel Academy (UK), and prominent angel investors such as Dr. Phil Graham-Smith(co-founder of ForceDecks), Professor Mark Batt (Sports & Exercise Medicine Consultant), and Jeff Mostyn, (former chairman of AFC Bournemouth). 

 

Congratulating Movetru and AwakenAngels syndicate members on the successful Pre-Seed round, Clare McGee, CEO and cofounder, of AwakenAngels and AwakenHub, said: “Naomi’s journey from being an AwakenHub member, to leading an international fundraising round, demonstrates the power of community, mentorship, and access to funding for women founders across this island and what can happen when we get that ecosystem correct. We are immensely proud to be part of her story and that our AwakenHub community and AwakenAngels syndicate continue to back Naomi and Movetru in their mission to transform athlete health and performance.” 

 

Denise McQuaid, Director of Investment and cofounder of AwakenAngels, added: “Naomi exemplifies the innovative spirit and determination we champion through AwakenHub’s community, and the difference we make to women founders through the AwakenAngels syndicate in being able to access the finance they need to scale and succeed. Our women-led investor community is growing from strength to strength and offering curated deal flows in companies founded by brilliant Irish women. We wish Naomi and her team continued success as they grow international recognition for Movetru.” 

 

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The funding round for Move​t​​ru marks a major step forward for the Belfast-based company as it prepares to launch across Europe, bringing validated athlete-first technology to clubs, coaches, and clinics.  Speaking about the raise, Naomi McGregor, founder and CEO of Movetru, said: “From the early days of Movetru and my time as an AwakenHub member, to growing in confidence and know-how and having the opportunity to pitch to AwakenAngels syndicate members, both organisations have played a pivotal role in my entrepreneurial journey. Their support, mentorship, and belief in my vision have helped Movetru reach this exciting milestone. Now, with this investment, we’re ready to scale our mission ​internationally​​, something that is reflected in our cap table. With the continued support of Two Magnolias and all our ​industry-leading investors​​​, we’re accelerating our mission to empower athletes through better data. When you understand movement, you can improve it.” 

 

Athletes, coaches, and sports professionals can now book on-field screenings and pre-order Movetru devices via the official website movetru.io  

 

Further information on AwakenAngels is available from www.awakenangelshq.com. Find more on AwakenHub at www.awakenhub.com 

Sync NI's Summer 2025 magazine celebrates women in tech across Ireland as we continue to encourage more women to enter the thriving sector and address the current gender imbalance. Read the Summer 2025 Sync NI Magazine online for free here.