Praetura Ventures, the VC fund that targets high-value sectors in the north of England, is investing £1m in a tech company that helps businesses defend themselves against customer-focused cyberattacks and improve the digital experience their websites offer to consumers.

The funding secured by Leeds-based RapidSpike will allow it to enhance and scale its product and expand its client base to add to its stable of blue-chip customers that includes William Hill, Npower and major US brand retailer Helen of Troy (owner of Revlon, Braun and Honeywell among others).