Vape Guardian raises £350k pre‑seed to curb unauthorised school vaping with sensors
This article covers Vape Guardian, a London-based healthtech startup, which has raised £350,000 in a pre-seed funding round to expand its vape detection sensors in schools and other public spaces. The funding will support rollout across the UK, the US, Australia and international English schools and the development of sector-specific products for aviation, workplaces and leisure venues, aiming to reduce unauthorised vaping and related operational disruption.
Vape Guardian has raised £350,000 in a pre-seed funding round to expand its vape detection sensors in schools and other public spaces, aiming to reduce unauthorised vaping and its operational impacts. The London-based healthtech startup says the money will support growth in the UK, US, Australia and international English schools, and the development of sector-specific products for aviation, workplaces and leisure venues.
Why it matters
Recent NHS figures show one in four 11-to-15-year-olds have tried vaping, creating enforcement and health concerns for schools. Traditional responses such as bathroom patrols or facility closures are labour intensive and unpopular. A detection system that can alert staff in real time offers schools a less intrusive way to locate incidents, respond quickly and reduce disruption from vape-triggered fire alarms.
Vape Guardian’s presence on Department for Education tenders signals growing institutional demand for hardware and systems designed specifically for vape detection rather than repurposed smoke alarms or ad hoc monitoring.
Inside the product
The company’s sensors look similar to conventional smoke alarms and use what Vape Guardian describes as a ten-point detection formula to distinguish exhaled vape aerosol and THC. When an event is detected the system sends alerts to staff via SMS, email or a dedicated app, and it can integrate with existing fire and security infrastructure.
Vape Guardian reports its technology is installed in more than 400 schools across the UK and Ireland. The startup has set a target of protecting 1,000 schools by the end of 2025 and plans to adapt the devices and software for aviation, workplace and leisure settings where vaping can cause safety and operational problems.
Who are the investors?
Vape Guardian announced the £350,000 raise but did not disclose the lead investor or participating backers in the public statement. The company says the funding will be used for market expansion, international rollout and product diversification.
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Founder perspective
The business was founded by Simon and Jean Hassett. In the announcement, Simon Hassett, Founder and CEO at Vape Guardian, said:
At Vape Guardian, we’re dedicated to creating safer, healthier environments through advanced vape detection technology. Our mission is simple: helping schools, businesses and public spaces maintain clean air and protect people from the risks associated with vaping.
This funding is a pivotal step in our 2026 strategy. It enables us to scale our presence in education and bring our proven technology to aerospace and workplace environments, where vape-triggered fire alarms and health risks are becoming major operational challenges.
The bigger picture
The round highlights a niche but growing segment within healthtech: hardware and sensing systems targeted at indoor air quality and behavioural detection in institutional settings. For schools, the immediate appeal is operational—faster incident response and fewer false alarms—but the wider market opportunity includes airlines and workplaces where vaping can trigger safety systems or create compliance issues.
Vape Guardian’s progress will be one to watch for policy makers and procurement teams in education and public venues, as governments and institutions increasingly add vaping-specific clauses to tenders and safety guidance. The move to international markets will test the product against different regulatory frameworks and procurement practices in the US, Australia and other English-speaking education systems, while reflecting continued interest from healthtech investors in solutions that address public health challenges in built environments.
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