OpenBlend, the SaaS platform transforming the way companies and their employees think about performance management has taken additional funding and appointed David Grundy as Chair to support rapidly growing demand for its products and services. OpenBlend performance management software helps companies and their employees stay engaged and productive as they respond to the new challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic and the new world of work.

UK based OpenBlend has received funding from the FSE Group through the Thames Valley Berkshire Growth Fund which has been matched with investments from a number of high profile SaaS Angels. Alongside this round, David Grundy was appointed as Chair and will be working closely with OpenBlend founder and CEO Anna Rasmussen to support the business through the next stage of growth. Grundy previously co-founded Invenias, the leading SaaS platform for executive hiring which was acquired by Bullhorn in 2018. He is currently a Venture Partner with MMC Ventures, Board Observer at MMC portfolio company StorageOS and Chair at SaaS Marketing platform StoryStream.

David Grundy, Chair at OpenBlend “The past 18 months have highlighted the critical importance of good communication between managers and their teams. As we move into a post pandemic world with permanent adjustments to physical working models and expectations of a better work/life balance, OpenBlend can really help companies build stronger partnerships with their employees, driving better performance for the business while improving employee satisfaction and retention. OpenBlend is the right tool at the right time and I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Anna, Kate and the team.”

Anna Rasmussen, CEO & Founder of OpenBlend “OpenBlend has always had a forward-thinking approach to performance management. Placing the employee at the centre of performance conversations is both logical and effective in driving high performance. Whilst the last 15 months has rocked many aspects of our working lives, the silver lining is how its accelerated the mindset in recognising ‘the human’ in high performing workforces. It’s how it should have always been and I’m thrilled with the outcome. Our time is now, the workplace needs OpenBlend and we very much look forward to scaling the business with the support of FSE.”

Bradley Jones, Equity Portfolio Manager at The FSE Group: “Having known OpenBlend through other FSE funding activities, we have been able to witness the great strides made by the business over the past two years. It was a real pleasure to work with Anna, Kate, David and the rest of the team to complete this funding round. In an ever-evolving work environment, OpenBlend is at the forefront of effecting change in its market. I look forward to working with the OpenBlend team as the business scales with its next stage of growth.”

Camden based Appsumer has secured funding from the Greater London Investment Fund (GLIF), to fund new business opportunities and create a dozen new jobs over the next 18 months.

Founded in 2015 by Shumel Lais and Moin Maniar, Appsumer is a SaaS analytics platform that supports developers of smartphone mobile apps to monitor their marketing spend and user acquisition success rate. Their client facing platform powered by AI captures same day marketing spend data and trends whilst delivering a decision-making tool as to where best to allocate daily marketing spend to maximise new customer downloads.

The mobile app market has grown rapidly in the last decade, and marketing spend in the sector has doubled year-on-year. As more apps are developed, marketing expenditure is the key driver to grow revenue. These developments have a greater data capture which is delivered faster to clients, along with AI decision making tools determining where marketing spend should be distributed. This reduces costs for clients and gives them an edge over the competition.

Shumel Lais, CEO and Co-Founder of Appsumer commented: “It’s great to be working alongside Marco and the GLIF team with a loan that has come at a crucial point in our journey. 2020 has delivered a step change in product offering for us with faster same day processing of data and greater client customisation, allowing us to better service our customers. This loan has put us on a strong footing for further growth as it will allow us to expand and take on major new contracts this year. Additionally, we will be able to create a dozen new jobs in London by 2022. “

Marco Cerrone, Investment Manager for The FSE Group, who manages the £55 million GLIF debt fund on behalf of Funding London, commented: “Appsumer have developed a strong product offering and have an opportunity to build a widespread customer base in a huge & fluid market. We were impressed with the management team and their commercial traction with consistent year-on-year sales growth. We are delighted to be able to provide this funding and look forward to the next stage in their journey.”

Maggie Rodriguez-Piza, CEO at Funding London, adds: “We are excited to announce our investment into Camden-based SaaS analytics platform Appsumer.  Seven years ago, Shumel Lais and Moin Maniar capitalised on the opportunity presented by the rapid growth in the mobile app market. GLIF’s investment will support the escalation of the customer experience alongside the team’s expansion. We wish Shumel and Moin great success with their growth plans over the coming months.”

GLIF is a £100m initiative to help address the SME finance gap in Greater London, promoting economic growth through enterprise and an inclusive and sustainable economy. £55m of debt funding is available, via loans between £100,000 and £1m, to early-stage and established SMEs looking to scale-up and realise their growth ambitions. GLIF is financed through the European Investment Bank (EIB), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), London Waste & recycling Board (LWARB) and Funding London’s Legacies.

Reading based Ybrant Partners, has secured £250,000 from the Thames Valley Berkshire Expansion Loan Scheme, to design and build IP solutions and enable the company to better service its clients.

Founded in August 2018 by Rajesh Prayaga, Jojy Joseph and Ritesh Singhvi, Ybrant Partners are an IT consulting firm who aim to deliver market leading and affordable HR & Finance solutions for mid-market and large enterprises. Ybrant delivers digital transformation programmes in these businesses and have built ACTIVA, a unique, homegrown IT solution that is specific to each industry sector, and which can be tailored and optimised to business needs.  

Ybrant works in a global marketplace with a focus on the UK and Ireland. The market is wide open with significant potential for HR technology, and recent events in 2020 have accelerated technology adoption. As a result, digital transformation is on the agenda across the industry. Ybrant’s solutions assist their clients in providing an excellent employee experience by covering notable events through the lifetime of an individual, a team and an organisation as a whole.

Rajesh Prayaga, Founder of Ybrant Partners explains: “It is great to be working alongside Rob and the TVB team with funding that has come at an extremely important time as we focus on building our presence in the UK. Thanks to this investment, we will be able to secure new clients and build new IP solutions to improve the employee experience in those client organisations. These solutions will meet a critical market demand and will allow us to move to the next stage of growth.”

Rob Hilary, Investment Manager, South East for The FSE Group, commented: “We were impressed by the management team sector experience and excellent relationships in the industry. Ybrant has a clear opportunity to build innovative solutions for its growing pipeline of customers. We are delighted to be able to offer this funding and look forward to working with the team to ensure they reach their goals for growth.”

Jacinta George, Business Environment Lead and Board Director at Thames Valley Berkshire LEP added, “Our priority is to support businesses at a time they need it. Despite the pandemic, through the Funding Escalator and Berkshire Business Growth Hub we have continued to offer local businesses free guidance and financial support where the traditional routes may not have been as easily available or accessible.”

TVB Expansion Loan Scheme is part of TVB Funding Escalator, an £11.3m initiative funded by Thames Valley Berkshire LEP. The escalator, which also includes a Trade Finance Loan Scheme and a Growth Equity Fund, provides eligible companies with loans and equity funding between £50,000 and £300,000 for activities that will deliver high-growth and employment opportunities.

For more information about Ybrant Partners could help with HR and Finance IT transformation within your business, please visit https://www.ybrantpartners.com or email sales@ybrantpartners.com

Penryn-headquartered Inyanga Marine Projects has completed a £2m capital raise comprising a minority £0.8m equity investment backed by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF) and £1.25m debt facilities.

The equity investment round was led by The FSE Group (the appointed fund manager of CIOSIF) with investors including CIOSIF, French company SerEnMar’s Ship As A Service® (SAAS) and private investors.  Debt facilities are being provided by Cyan Finance and Lombard.

Formed in 2017 by Richard Parkinson, Inyanga Marine Projects provides expert operations services and engineering design within the offshore renewable energy sector (including tidal, offshore wind, wave and solar).

The sector is thriving as part of global moves towards a net zero carbon economy with Cornwall and the UK particularly active. Climate Change and creating a greener future is at the top of the agenda for this week’s G7 summit in Cornwall.

The investment is being used to fund the expansion of the business, including the purchase of DP2 Multi-Purpose Vessel, Inyanga Entsha, that will be based out of Falmouth.  Inyanga has a growing team of 15 professionals and is involved in some of the most ambitious offshore green energy projects including St Brieuc Offshore Windfarm, Minesto’s Holyhead & Faroe Islands installations and Sabella D10 tidal energy project.

Hervé Allaire of SAAS will be joining Inyanga’s company board as the two businesses embark on a closer partnership leveraging their complementary offerings. Martin Macey led the investment on behalf of FSE and will be joining Inyanga as Board Observer.

Richard Parkinson, CEO at Inyanga commented: “Martin and the team at FSE went above and beyond to help us plan and structure the capital raise.  Their commitment was evident throughout and we are delighted with the outcome.”

Martin Macey, Investment Manager at FSE Group commented “It is a privilege to work with Richard and the team at Inyanga which comprises some of the world experts in offshore renewables.  We look forward to helping scale this innovative business in such an important sector.”

The £40m Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund provides debt and equity finance from £25,000 to £2 million to help growing small businesses across the region. It has been established by the British Business Bank in partnership with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Ken Cooper, Managing Director at the British Business Bank, said: “Through the British Business Bank’s regional funds we are actively supporting businesses that are contributing to the UK’s low-carbon agenda. Inyanga Marine is a great example of that and we are delighted the fund has supported this deal.”

John Acornley, LEP non-executive director and chair of the CIOSIF Advisory Board, said: “Inyanga is part of a globally renowned offshore renewable energy supply chain in Cornwall. The region is on the cusp of significant developments in the floating offshore wind industry in the Celtic Sea, so this deal is very timely.”

Advisers on the transaction were: Field Seymour Parkes (FSE legals), Murrell Associates (Inyanga legals), Lang Bennetts (Inyanga tax) and Mylor Ventures (Inyanga corporate finance).

CIOSIF is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

For more information about the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund including how to apply, please visit www.ciosif.co.uk  or follow the fund on Twitter at @CIOSIFBBB2

Warwickshire based manufacturer of energy storage solutions, Off Grid Energy, has secured a £1.25m investment to scale-up its operations, further developing its product offering whilst creating new jobs in the area.

Off Grid Energy secured the finance from The Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), provided by The FSE Group, Debt Finance Fund and backed by the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).

The funding has enabled Off Grid Energy, to relocate to their brand-new state of the art 30,000sq ft premises, which features 150Kw Solar PV and is based in Stepnell Park, Rugby.  The resources support a step-change in the business to become a full production operation that will create 30 new skilled positions within the business whilst launching new products that will be supported by an extensive PR and marketing campaign.  The business will further establish its presence overseas with these new products.

Off Grid is a respected and trusted voice on energy efficiency and clean energy solutions, who continues to work towards a smart, decarbonised, decentralised energy system.

Janene Dooler, Joint Managing Director of Off Grid Energy, commented: “Our recent exciting relocation means that now all our energy needs are met by renewable sources and combined with having a private network on the estate, gives us the ability to develop our technology to the max. Since 2011, we have pioneered and become experts in providing smart, efficient power solutions which save money and significantly reduce carbon footprint in the temporary power sector. Our technology saves costs and has huge sustainability impact displacing the use of diesel generators reducing carbon emissions and tackling air quality issues. In emerging sectors, such as energy storage and EV charging, for those struggling with grid power, or where there is no grid available, we work with you to find the most cost-effective solution, with the least environmental impact, delivered in the shortest possible time. Our focus is to offer zero or net carbon neutral energy solutions. The funding received from MEIF via Chirag at The FSE Group, will enable us to grow and expand as a business, enabling high quality job creation to permit us to develop our products to enable us to achieve this goal.”

Chirag Mistry, Investment Manager, at The FSE Group, which manages the MEIF Debt Finance Fund adds: “I am delighted to be supporting Off Grid Energy through The FSE Group & The Midlands Engine Investment Fund. Off Grid Energy is an exciting organisation supporting the transition to low emissions and is a leader in this specialist sector. They are an experienced team making a real difference with their products and applications, serving a wide range of sectors across the UK. Off Grid Energy offers a glimpse of what the future will look like and how we can embrace technology to improve the environment now, not in 2030. The funding will enable Off Grid to retain, grow and develop its workforce boosting the local economy.”

Grant Peggie, Director, at the British Business Bank also added: “The MEIF is committed to supporting businesses that are contributing to the UK’s low-carbon agenda, alongside meeting wider key fund objectives. This latest investment highlights the strength of the Midlands in developing clean technology solutions and we will continue to help green and sustainable businesses grow and create new skilled jobs in the Midlands.”

Sean Farnell, board director at the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “An important focus of the CWLEP’s Strategic Reset Framework is innovation and green technology and Off Grid Technology is a perfect example of this.”

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

West Midlands based cremation service provider has secured a £200,000 growth loan to expand its operations, purchase new equipment and create jobs in the region.

Chapter Response secured the funding from The FSE Group, Debt Finance fund through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF).

The support will allow the Tipton-based business to expand its service to more UK locations. Two new electric ambulances, equipped with medical tracking software, as well as three refrigeration units will be purchased using the funding, with eight new employees also set to be recruited and trained.

Chapter Response is committed to creating a cremation choice which reduces funeral poverty, which currently affects 1 in 8 families. Many of whom are unable to afford the average traditional cremation costs of c£4,000. Specialising in unattended private cremation services has allowed the business to increase its efficiencies and pass on these cost savings to families. The firm’s team of ambulances and responders oversee unattended private cremation services and return the urn to the family home – allowing family members more time for their own celebrations commemorating their loved one.

Donna Baker, Founder and CEO of Chapter Response, commented: “We are pleased to be able to expand our service to reach more areas in the UK. Having been in the industry for over 20 years, we recognise the individuality of each and every end-of-life celebration to reassure families that their loved one is in capable, responsible and respectful hands. It’s been a positive experience working with Kerry, helping us to secure the funding required for the next stage of the business’s journey.”

Kerry Haughton, Fund Manager, at The FSE Group, which manages the MEIF Debt Finance Fund adds: “We are proud to have supported Chapter Response with its service expansion plans across the UK.Donna’s understanding of the funeral business demonstrated to us the strength of Chapter Response and helped to secure the investment. Through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, The FSE Group is committed to providing finance to Midlands’ businesses with the potential to grow. We look forward to accompanying Donna and her team for the next phase of their development.”

Paul Brown, Black Country LEP Board Member, said: “We are delighted to see the MEIF supporting businesses across the Black Country, particularly when this increased capacity will support expansion across the UK. The MEIF aims to support businesses in scaling up, with a focus on companies like Chapter Response which have real potential for growth.”

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

The FSE Group, MEIF Debt Finance Fund provides loans between £100,000 and £1.5million to help growing SMEs across the region.

To support their growth ambitions, London based SME Weeding Technologies has secured £450,000 in loan funding from The FSE Group, via The Greater London Investment Fund (GLIF). This includes £250,000 in conjunction with the government backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). The funding will allow the company to recruit for 4 new positions with a focus on marketing activity, increasing their logistics and new product development.

Keeping our local communities weed free can be a complex and expensive task, particularly given recent restrictions around the use of traditional chemical herbicides. All kinds of municipal organisations – ranging from local authorities, to parks, to schools, to water companies – need to find new ways to weed our public places.

Established in 2011, Weeding Technologies (Weedingtech), primary objective was to provide a sustainable solution for both gardeners and communities to manage their outside spaces, whilst also protecting their residents and the environment around them. Their aim was to develop the best alternative solution possible for those wanting to move away from traditional chemical herbicides such as glyphosate.

Weedingtech developed a herbicide free technology for the control of weeds, moss and algae providing a greener, cleaner and safer way to maintain both gardens and outside spaces. Their “Foamstream” product offers a herbicide-free approach to controlling unwanted vegetation, as well as sanitisation against COVID-19 and cleaning solutions. Products are safe for use around people, animals and delicate eco-systems including waterways, parks and all public places. Accredited for organic use in the UK, Weedingtech products are approved by DEFRA and The Environment Agency and are also available in Europe and the USA.

Leo de Montaignac, CEO and Co-Founder of Weeding Technologies commented: “We are extremely proud that we have developed and can offer safe, non-toxic solutions for controlling unwanted vegetation on all surfaces, in all weather, all year round. Accreditation bodies worldwide have also cleared our products as safe, organic and non-toxic. With the loans received from GLIF via Paul at The FSE Group, we will be able to retain staff to enable the day-to-day operations to continue to run smoothly during these difficult times and look to create jobs and expand our team as the business continues to grow. Our thanks to Paul for helping us with the funding process.”

Paul Shadbolt, Investment Manager for The FSE Group, who manages the £55 million GLIF debt fund on behalf of Funding London, commented: “Leo and his team at Weedingtech have industry-leading, award-winning products offering a highly effective alternative to traditional toxic germ killers. The products use hot water insulated with its specially formulated biodegradable and organic foam, delivered by their patented machinery. GLIF is keen to support innovative high growth businesses in Greater London, and with job creation for the local economy included in their plans we were pleased to be able to offer Weddingtech the loan funding they need to execute their expansion plans. We wish them well for the future.”

Maggie Rodriguez-Piza, CEO at Funding London, adds: “‘We believe that it is more important than ever to support the growth of innovative, green technologies that successfully replace highly polluting alternatives. We are extremely excited to provide the extra capital Leo and the team at Weedingtech need to continue and expand their operations.”

GLIF is a £100m initiative to help address the SME finance gap in Greater London, promoting economic growth through enterprise and an inclusive and sustainable economy. £55m of debt funding is available, via loans between £100,000 and £1m, to early-stage and established SMEs looking to scale-up and realise their growth ambitions. GLIF is financed through the European Investment Bank (EIB), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), London Waste & recycling Board (LWARB) and Funding London’s Legacies.

Bude based design studio, YEO has secured a £30,000 loan from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (CIOSIF), to enable the company to further grow its high-end furniture brand.

Previously known as James Yeo Cabinet Makers, the business was founded in 2011 by fine furniture maker James Yeo. Life-long friend Adam Hodgson joined the company in 2017, bringing with him his knowledge gained in the construction industry. With its roots firmly in the South-West the team re-branded as YEO and are proud of their UK based operation where they design, manufacture and install high-end furniture, from single rooms to whole-house fit outs, managing the entire process for their clients.

The funding secured from CIOSIF will enable YEO to purchase new machinery to improve production capability and capacity. This will also create three fulltime machinist roles based out of the Cornish workshop, with the possibility of additional roles being created towards the end of 2021.

James Yeo, Founder and CEO of YEO commented: “Adam and I wanted our brand to not only be of a high quality, but to stand out from the crowd. We are committed to creating a space less ordinary, giving our clients interiors which are as unique as their experiences. The purchase of this equipment will allow us to meet demand and further expand the business, along with being able to hire the three new skilled machinists required to operate the equipment. We’d like to extend our thanks to our Business Manager, Mike, for helping us realise the next stage of development and for guiding us through the funding process.”

The deal was handled by SWIG Finance, who are working with appointed CIOSIF fund manager, The FSE Group, to deliver the small business loans part of the fund.

Mike Chapman, CIOSIF Business Manager at SWIG Finance, added: “It was great meeting James and Adam and to hear their story and business journey so far. These skilled craftsmen have carved out an excellent reputation with a strong network of industry contacts. They have developed and built up a strong brand to perfectly match their clients’ needs, be that a bespoke design for one room, or for a whole house fit-out. Benefitting from a solid sales pipeline we were delighted to provide this funding, which will help the team fulfil their orders and grow the business further. These are exciting times for the business and I am really looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”

The £40m Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund provides debt and equity finance from £25,000 to £2 million to help growing small businesses across the region. It has been established by the British Business Bank in partnership with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and is operated by appointed fund managers The FSE Group.

Lloyd Brina, Senior Manager  at the British Business Bank, said: “The fund is continuing to invest in growth-minded local businesses and we are pleased to be able to support YEO’s further expansion with this loan. Despite the pandemic we continue to see demand for growth finance and the fund is here to support those ambitions.”

LEP non-executive director John Acornley, who chairs the CIOSIF Advisory Board, said: “James and Adam have built a sound business focused on quality. I’m delighted that the fund has been able to help them move to the next level, including the creation of skilled jobs.”

For more information about the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Investment Fund including how to apply, please visit www.ciosif.co.uk  or follow the fund on Twitter at @CIOSIFBBB2

Read more about YEO at https://yeodesign.co.uk/

Alton based In-Space Missions, is the latest company to secure funding from the Enterprise M3 Expansion Loan Scheme. The £300,000 loan will help the business grow its innovative “Space as a Service” model.

In-Space Missions was established in 2015 by Tony Holt and Doug Liddle to provide a managed service that would enable customers to access space, reducing their costs and helping them overcome the barriers to entry when breaking into the space market. The company began operations at the BASE Innovation Centre in Bordon and recently expanded into new offices in Alton, Hampshire with dedicated manufacturing facilities.

In-Space Missions are world-class experts with a new space approach offering “Space as a Service” to commercial and government customers. This can involve the design, build, launch and operation of satellites and offers low-cost payload flight opportunities. The In-Space model allows for much quicker and easier access to space for customers who take a ‘slot’ on board rather than having to manage the entire mission themselves. Increasingly it is also becoming possible for a customer to upload their payload onto a satellite already on orbit.

This innovative solution at market disrupting prices, has led to significant demand for In-Space’s services, leading to rapid company growth. The funding will be used to finance the move to the new premises to accommodate additional staff and provide increased manufacturing capability, as well as part-funding the development of a higher performance satellite platform.

Tony Holt, CTO and Co-Owner of In-Space Missions, commented: “At In-Space Missions we are passionate about using our experience and innovative approach to democratise space, opening up the benefits of this sector to more businesses across the globe. This EM3 expansion loan will help us increase our capacity to deliver “Space as a Service” and achieve this goal. The FSE Group has recognised the potential of our business model and we are grateful to Derek and the team for their support in helping us secure the funding to drive our business forward.”

The global space economy is expected to grow by a third over the next five years, taking its value to almost $560billion. This is being fuelled in part by the “New Space” phenomenon: a series of technological and business model innovations that have led to a significant reduction in costs and resulted in the provision of new products and services that have broadened the existing customer base.

Derek Ellis, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, which manages the EM3 Expansion Loan Scheme on behalf of Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), added: “The growth in this sector is leading to an increased market demand for affordable access to space. In-Space Missions’ highly experienced team have developed a much sought-after, low-cost satellite solution. With the space industry emerging as one of the most lucrative sectors globally, the team is on the precipice of exponential growth and we are thrilled to be helping them reach their potential.”

Rob Dunford, Director – Business Delivery, Enterprise M3 LEP, comments: “It’s fantastic to see In‐Space Missions expanding in Alton. This is yet another demonstration of how an important company in our Space Cluster is going from strength to strength. The space sector has been identified as a key high‐value sector in our Revive and Renew recovery Action Plan, so to see In‐Space Missions grow and develop this larger space, with increased clean room capacity is both exciting and encouraging.”

 The EM3 Expansion Loan Scheme is part of the Enterprise M3 Funding Escalator, £10million initiative funded by Enterprise M3 LEP. The escalator, which also includes a short-term trade loan scheme and an equity growth fund, provides eligible companies with loans and equity funding between £50,000 and £300,000 for activities that will deliver high-growth and employment opportunities across the EM3 area.

For more information about In-Space Missions Limited, visit: https://in-space.co.uk/

Introduction

For over a decade, Woking based Jeremy Brassington has been supporting students who have hearing impairments or dyslexia, to ensure they have the same route to education as able-bodied individuals.

Hearing how it all began

What is now known as Note Taking Express, an easy-to-use application for recording lectures and meetings, originally started out as Conversor, an Assistive Listening Device (ALD).

Typically, students at colleges and universities attend lectures, seminars and tutorials taking pen to paper to make notes from lectures and then write up their rough notes, transforming them into papers, dissertations and theses.

Imagine doing this if you were deaf or dyslexic? You may be able to lip read but may not be able to have the best vantage point in the lecture hall to keep up, or you may have trouble getting the letters in the right order and not be able to make sense of your notes. This can be incredibly difficult and a barrier to demonstrating your understanding of the subject in order to meet the grade.

Listening to advice

Jeremy worked closely with education bodies and further developed Conversor, the Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs), into Note Taking Express – an intuitive, feature rich application and PC programme for recording lectures, meetings and tutorials.

This was made possible by, and coincided with, changes to the government’s Disabled Students’ Allowance scheme, which embraced the use of apps and lecture capture systems over digital voice recorders and in-class notetakers, opening up a whole new world to students. No more worrying about sitting in the right place to lip-read or taking down the letters in the right order, just sit back, listen and record.

Hearing loud and clear

Software and technology are improving rapidly and the Enterprise M3 Funding Escalator has been proud to support Jeremy on his journey to continue to develop his product, raise awareness and ensure it reaches out to more students, helping them to benefit and assist them to achieve their potential.

Jeremy Brassington, CEO of Note Taking Express: “Automatically generating lecture transcripts, summary notes and key concepts is incredibly valuable for these students. Note Taking Express synthesises information into a format which they feel comfortable using for further study or revision. This means that students have a useful stock of material after each lecture and are free to engage and participate in the lecture while recording it on their phone, tablet or laptop. The financial support, which we received with Derek’s help, has been invaluable and will enable us to assist more students who may otherwise have had a significant disadvantage.”

Derek Ellis, Fund Manager for The FSE Group: “This amazing product will give every student, regardless of ability, access to notes and a note writing platform which suits their individual needs. This could completely change the learning process for students who would otherwise have struggled to fulfil their academic potential. We look forward to seeing what the company can achieve in the next stage of its growth journey.”

Kathy Slack OBE, Enterprise M3 LEP CEO: “I’m delighted Enterprise M3 has been able to fund this innovative and exciting company at a time when students, particularly those with additional needs, are reliant on technology more than ever. Products like this are game changing for young people who need additional help and it’s wonderful that the Expansion Loan Scheme has made such a difference for Note Taking Express and all those whose academic lives will be made easier because of the product.”

For more information about Note Taking Express: Visit https://notetakingexpress.com/ or contact Jeremy Brassington at jeremy@notetakingexpress.com