Poikos targets expansion after advice from Higgs & Sons

A BIRMINGHAM entrepreneur and computer science expert is targeting growth after securing the advice of a Black Country-based law firm.

Poikos’ unique ‘Measurecam’ software takes accurate body measurements using a smartphone or webcam. The software has been attracting the interests of the medical sector as well as the made-to-measure clothing market.

To capitalise on new opportunities, Poikos founder Eleanor Watson has enlisted the help of Jamie Partington, a corporate law solicitor at Higgs & Sons, who has been supplying specialist investment and funding advice to the firm.

Poikos, which has bases in Birmingham and in Amsterdam, has won a string of awards for its innovative system which uses smartphones, tablets and PCs to provide an accurate 3D measurement of human bodies.
 
The tech firm believes the software could revolutionise both the made-to-measure clothes market and online clothes sales, as well as have significant medical benefits.
 
Partington said that after guiding the company through its €20,000 business accelerator deal to set up its Amsterdam base, he had advised the firm on a new investment round.
 
“This is a really exciting company which started out in Birmingham Science Park and is now beginning to make a name for itself across Europe,” he said.

“I have advised the Eleanor for the last couple of years and it has been particularly gratifying to watch her vision take shape and to have played a part in helping her to put in place the investment the company requires.
 
“The acceleration programme was a great success and Poikos attracted significant funding at its conclusion.”
 
He said the company, which has won a number of awards across Europe, was now moving towards a significant launch. A further investment round has also been agreed in principle.
 
Poikos was one of just 10 start-up companies from across the continent to be selected for the Amsterdam programme and has already launched its Poikos API product which allows customers to accurately measure their own bodies.
 
Ms Watson said the software was designed to save online retailers the huge costs associated with returned goods while making sure their customers were more satisfied and likely to shop with them again.
It invited selected companies to trial its software on their own sites before launching it commercially later in the year.
 
She said: “It has been a pleasure dealing with Jamie over the last couple of years and I am grateful for the expert, pro-active advice he has provided. Crucially for Poikos, Jamie is an entrepreneurially minded solicitor who understands the particular nuances and requirements of a technology business. This enables him to provide tailored, valuable advice.”