Tech firm latest to sign up to £40m Nexus innovation hub
Start-up tech firm Innotech Insights is the latest business to join the growing community at Nexus, the £40m innovation hub at the University of Leeds, to support its scale-up plans.
Founded in 2015 by Liam Wright, Innotech Insights develops data collection and analysis platforms, Connected Places and software services products for private and public sector partners.
Following seed investment from a private investor in 2017, the tech for Crowded™ was built and launched the following year. Having just secured its first institutional investment from Mavern Capital, the business is poised for growth, as it moves from a West Yorkshire enterprise park to Nexus.
Crowded™ is one of the most accurate and cost-effective pedestrian tracking systems on the market. It combines the very best pedestrian scanning hardware with a cutting edge, purpose-built software application that collects and auto-analyses data. It can monitor anything from pedestrian volume and dwell time at public events – like sports matches, to visitor demographics and habits at retail and leisure destinations. The data collected enables end-users to make society a safer and more efficient place, whilst also improving customer experience.
Innotech Insight’s Crowded™ platform is now used around the globe, across private and public sectors and in over five countries. One of its recent clients was a major UK airport, who required an analysis of pedestrian movement to optimise facilities, ensure maximum levels of safety and improve overall visitor experience.
Liam Wright, Founder of Innotech Insights, said: “Nexus is the natural home for us as we gear up for growth. Along with developing-cutting edge new products, we are also looking to expand our team. Being part of the Nexus community gives us access to an outstanding talent pool and leading academic research at the University of Leeds.
“We have tried to partner with universities before, but it’s never really worked. The Nexus proposition is so unique because it combines the research and academic expertise with real business advice and support, both from its relationship management team, and its commercial partnerships with the likes of KPMG and North Invest. The team have already opened doors for us, helping us to make new connections, and they will be invaluable as we scale up over the coming months.”
Dr Martin Stow, Nexus Director, added: “We’re delighted to have Innotech Insights join the growing Nexus community. Liam and his team are already making a significant impact, following the success of the Crowded™platform, and we’re thrilled to be able to support them as they continue to grow. From helping them expand their team with the brightest talent from the University, to supporting their R&D and commercial objectives; Innotech Insights is a perfect example of a business that can really benefit from the Nexus offer.”
