European Technology Group Acquires UK Aid Platform Lightning Reach

Lightning Reach was founded during the Covid-19 pandemic and launched its platform in December 2021 to give people a single digital route to financial aid offered by governments, charities, utilities and other organisations. Its role is significant because more than 20 million people in Britain are financially vulnerable, while over £24 billion of available support goes unclaimed each year amid low awareness and fragmented, often manual application processes.

European Technology Group, or ETG, acquired Lightning Reach on July 21, 2026, in a deal whose financial terms were not disclosed. Lightning Reach has worked with more than 100 UK organisations, reached over 300,000 people and helped unlock more than £25 million in support since launch. Chief Operating Officer Rhiannon Sheridan has become CEO, while founder and former CEO Ren Yi Hooi will remain a board director. ETG’s long-term backing is intended to help the independently operated business reach 1 million people by 2028.