Meet the founder: Andy Thomis, Cohort

Cohort: Driving innovation in defence technology

Founded in 2006 following an AIM IPO, Cohort emerged from a shared vision to unite small and medium-sized defence technology companies. Since then, the group has achieved significant milestones, including major contracts for submarine sonar systems for the Italian Navy and missile defence systems for the Royal Navy. Recent successes include raising over £40m on AIM to acquire EM Solutions, a transaction that was heavily oversubscribed, underscoring market confidence in Cohort’s strategy.

In this video, Cohort's founder and CEO Andy Thomis, shares his journey - from studying engineering at Imperial College London to creating, listing, and growing an award-winning British defence technology group.

With strong backing from long-term investors like Hargreave Hale AIM VCT, Cohort continues to strengthen its position as a trusted partner in global defence. Its ultimate goal: safeguarding nations and allies through cutting-edge technology that deters threats and ensures security.

Watch to learn:

• How Cohort was built through a focused buy-and-build strategy
• What it’s like to operate as an AIM-listed company
• The role of Hargreave Hale AIM VCT's expertise and knowledge of the defence sector in supporting Cohort's growth
• The cutting-edge innovations emerging from Cohort’s specialist subsidiaries.

Further reading

VCTs can provide more support to the UK’s innovation economy

Meet the founder: Timo Boldt, Gousto

AIM: Looking forward with optimism

The VCT invests in small, high risk companies, which are mostly listed on AIM. These companies may have volatile share prices and the investments may be difficult to realise. VCT investors are also exposed to changes in legislation that may adversely affect the company’s status as a VCT and its ability to meet the investment objectives and/or reduce the level of achievable return. There can be no guarantee that the VCT will meet its objectives or that suitable investment opportunities will be identified. A failure to maintain the qualifying status could result in the VCT losing the tax reliefs previously obtained, resulting in adverse tax consequences for investors.