Digital Forming access research and development funding with help from GLE's Enterprise Europe Network team.

Software Development Company

Background

Digital Forming is a software development company, specialising in the mass customisation and distribution of consumer products.

The company were looking for critical funding to continue development of a number of new technologies which would bring their product to market towards the end of 2009.

Through support from the Enterprise Europe Network London (EEN London), the company was able to access £50,000 to fund research and development.

Following research on digital design and manufacturing, and the impact of rapid manufacturing technologies on the industry by a world renowned product designer and a design consultancy, Digital Forming was set up in 2008 to formally create an alliance between product design and technology.

With a mission to create a platform for product design, using rapid manufacturing techniques, Digital Forming set out to develop a set of 3D software solutions for retail organisations.

This would allow consumers to design products, specifying the colour, physical layout and functions of products, before they were manufactured.

This innovative new technology will bring the concept of individual consumer customisation to retail markets, without compromising the overall function and design.

The platform will eventually be licensed to popular consumer facing brands allowing their customers to customise their range of products in an easy-to-use way.

How GLE helped them

Digital forming were able to secure £50,000 of research and development funding following support from the Enterprise Europe Network London which is led by GLE Group.

Before this new technology is officially launched, the business is planning to launch their own brand to demonstrate the ability of this new platform, which will not only serve as a key marketing tool but also to generate initial revenue.

Allowing amateur and professional designers to share, modify, co-create, and trade 3D designs, this will essentially be a community area that will allow for the exchange of creativity, and will eventually allow users to save and sell their designs, thus gaining royalties.

Having contacted the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) team to learn about funding opportunities, Digital Forming received free one-to-one support from a European Funding Manager who signposted them to funding from the Technology Strategy Board.

Their EEN adviser gave them feedback on their proposal and raised awareness of their innovative new proposal by contacting their funders directly.

The impact of this help

Digital Forming are currently preparing to launch their product in September 2009, whilst they continue to work alongside the London Innovation Network to explore and apply for further European funding.

For more information ...

Visit visit www.een-london.co.uk for more information about Enterprise Europe Network London's services.