Southampton-based Vape Guardian, the UK’s leading vape detection technology provider, has successfully raised £350,000 in a seed funding round through Angel Investment Network, the world’s largest online angel investment network.

The investment will accelerate the company’s mission to eliminate vaping in prohibited spaces and establish its proprietary technology as the global industry standard.

Founded by husband and wife, Simon & Jean Hassett, Vape Guardian provides a solution to the ‘silent epidemic’ of underage vaping, with recent NHS data showing that 1 in 4 students aged 11-15 have tried vaping.

While schools have previously struggled to respond, Vape Guardian’s real-time detection hardware offers a non-intrusive, automated alternative to unpopular measures like bathroom patrols or closing facilities.

The company’s smart sensors, which resemble traditional smoke alarms, utilise an advanced 10-point formula to accurately detect exhaled vaping and THC, with the system sending immediate alerts to staff via SMS, email, or a dedicated app. The technology has been designed to integrate directly with existing fire and security systems.

Currently protecting over 400 schools in the UK and Ireland, Vape Guardian has achieved significant market traction and is the named brand on all new Department of Education tenders requiring vape detection.