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Innovation support enables the Insights People to prosper

Wouldn’t it be great if you could get real-time information identifying global and flash trends?

 Well, that’s exactly the kind of innovation that has helped The Insights People to land a six-figure investment deal…

The Overview

Market insights are essential but things are moving faster than ever before, making most market intelligence reports out of date before they’re even published.

One of The Insights People’s key innovations is “Kids Insights” which provides companies with access to “real-time” insights and market intelligence based on the results of surveying more than 400 4-18 year olds every week.

Since its launch, Kids Insights has attracted some of the world’s biggest brands including DC Thomson, Finsbury Foods, Guinness World Records, Penguin Random House, SuperAwesome and Turner who are all now subscribing to Kids Insights online portal and quarterly insight reports.

Most recently, the team of six who are based in Manchester has raised six figures’ worth of investment capital with the help of the Hub’s access to finance specialists.

Founder, Nick Richardson exhibiting at Venturefest Manchester

The Challenge

The Insights People has set out to change the way in which market research is conducted and allow clients to make informed decisions and develop marketing strategies built on quality insight.

Nick approached the Business Growth Hub for support in finding the capital he needed to scale the business, as well as advice on the best way to ensure the business keeps scaling at pace.

The Solution

Having been successfully shortlisted for the ‘Best Start-Up’ category in the Venturefest Manchester 2017 Innovation Showcase Competition, Nick pitched his business to a panel of investors and advisors.

The investor who sat on the panel was so impressed with what he heard that he entered into discussions with Nick and agreed a six-figure investment to scale the business. This was the icing on the cake after a hugely successful year for the business.

Throughout the course of the year, Nick and his management team have attended some of the Hub’s Creating Leaders in Innovation masterclasses including Creating, Evaluating & Commercialising Ideas and Creating Breakthrough Products and Services as the business developed from its initial agency base business Bee Industrious to developing its own products, the first of which being Kids Insights.

The Hub also presented Nick with the opportunity to collaborate with Manchester Metropolitan University to find innovative ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) could be used in the market research products we develop.

“It’s been a phenomenal 12 months for us,” explains Nick. “The Hub has been with us every step of the way and, quite simply, without them we would not be in such a fortunate position.”

Nick adds: “There are exciting challenges ahead for us, particularly how we manage growth in sales and staffing levels, but having the Hub and its advisors in our corner will certainly help.

“Since working with the Hub, we have grown to a highly talented team of six, raised six figures of investment, launched Kids Insights, continue to undertake amazing game-changing projects under our agency side of the business Bee Industrious and have the foundations in place for a phenomenal 2018!”

The Insights People is now working with the Hub’s executive development specialists to nurture the leadership skills it needs as the business starts to grow at pace, including support with developing and implementing HR policies and procedures.

 

Looking to bring an innovative product to market? Our specialist innovation service will help you identify opportunities, access the region’s leading facilities, evaluate your ideas, and challenge the status quo. Take the next steps, Enquire and Grow today.

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