Braille education tool set for launch following investment
Sheffield-based educational product designer Yang For Young is preparing to launch its first product to market following a £10,000 investment.
Elena Yang, the Sheffield Hallam University masters graduate behind the business, is set to launch Brailler, a tactile teaching aid that provides an interactive way of learning braille, after securing equity investment from UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE).
Brailler provides the opportunity for non-sighted and sighted children to learn braille while learning the letters of the alphabet.
By encouraging children to learn together, the product aims to develop a greater understanding among pupils of the challenges faced by visually impaired people.
The equity investment was overseen by Harper James Solicitors, experts in business legal services, and Brearley & Co Accountants and the funding has been used to finalise the prototype, provide funds for a recruitment drive and also to secure legal advice on Intellectual Property (IP) Rights.
Yang received the funds following the completion of a 12-week intensive business development course as part of the UK Steel Enterprise Y-Accelerator start-up programme which is dedicated to supporting individuals, teams and companies looking to get a new business idea off the ground and which saw Yang For Young named as runner up.
The Y-Accelerator partnership is a collaboration between private and public sector organisations – including UKSE, the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub, the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO) and Gripple – and forms part of the SCR Economic Plan, working to develop a strong start-up eco system across the region.
Yang said: “I have always had a passion for creating things, which resulted in pursuing a master’s degree in graphic design. A second passion of mine is social enterprise, which is why I now combine the two with my development of socially responsible products – design really has the ability to be transformational and to help create a more accessible society.
“The Y-Accelerator programme has been indispensable in increasing my business acumen and knowledge of how to market a product correctly. Alongside the investment funding, the business classes have really helped to guide my product in the right direction and increase my understanding of my target audience.”
Alan Stanley, regional executive of UK Steel Enterprise which invests in growing companies locally, said: “The Y-Accelerator is a unique initiative that brings together various forms of support to create an intensive incubator for entrepreneurs with start-up ideas.
“The process was designed to help validate ideas, develop strong business models and provide people with the tools and skills to launch new businesses, and Yang For Young really demonstrated huge capacity for growth and expansion.
“We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with the company through the investment and look forward to working with Elena as she continues to build on her success to date.”
