Altrincham accessibility start-up BrowsAble secures £300,000 ahead of 2027 launch

BrowsAble, an Altrincham start-up whose AI software simplifies websites for people who are visually impaired or neurodivergent, has raised £300,000 ahead of a planned market launch in 2027.

The funding is from Innovate UK’s investor partnerships scheme, combining grant money with private investment. A £150,000 grant from Innovate UK has been matched by Entrepreneurs Helping Entrepreneurs Group (EHE), which is headquartered in Manchester and is one of the scheme’s investor partners. Its venture studio is also giving hands-on support.

Founder Peter Wrenshall began working on the idea while trying to find a way to help a friend who is visually impaired. A basic magnifier at first, it is now software that classifies a website’s content and reorganises it into a simpler layout, without any set-up for individual sites.

The tool is designed for people who struggle with busy websites, such as those with dyslexia, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, visual impairments or age-related cognitive decline. Website operators will pay, and it will be free for users.

Wrenshall said: “Every website works differently. For people with visual or cognitive disabilities, this inconsistency creates daily barriers to digital independence.

“Our research found that people can abandon or avoid essential services such as banking and government websites, or require assistance with basic online tasks.”

The Innovate UK-backed project will produce two products: a beta browser extension that applies BrowsAble’s simplified layouts to any site a user visits, and an install script allowing businesses to provide an accessible version of their website without visitors downloading anything.

Wrenshall believes the tool could be used by the NHS and government organisations, as well as in ecommerce and financial services. Product, marketing, pricing and branding work has begun.

EHE Venture Studio, EHE Group’s technology and advisory arm, has helped Wrenshall with engineering, product development and commercial advice, taking BrowsAble from concept to an investment-ready business.

“EHE has been part of this journey from day one,” said Wrenshall.

“Peter came to us with an idea, a genuine problem to solve and the commitment to make it happen,” said Simon Landi, EHE’s chief marketing officer.

For many small businesses, accessibility was supposed to be dealt with when the site was built and has not been checked since. BrowsAble’s research shows the cost: users abandon sites or need help with basic tasks, and every customer who quits a messy checkout or booking form is a lost sale.