UK Trade & Investment - Case studies
Case Studies for UK Trade & Investment
Octopus Media Technology and the European Regional Development Fund
Cutting-edge video content management and digital delivery provider Octopus Media Technology (OctopusMT) continues to go from strength to strength in global markets with the support of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Based in London and with technical facilities in Southampton, OctopusMT has developed a system that enables the storage, management and global delivery of video to any digital device with high quality, functionality and a “click-to-play” user experience. Established in 2006 to address the limitations of other systems and providers, OctopusMT focused on satisfying the wish-lists of key industry clients.
The platform on offer from OctopusMT is a browser–based, complete content management system, which enables everything from enhancing websites with video content to secure online viewing and digital delivery of broadcast files, video on demand and live streaming of events. Source media need only be “ingested” once and can then be converted online to any format and used for any distribution channel and digital device, including future devices.
The company’s foray into foreign markets has been assisted by various UKTI trade development visits and OMIS (Overseas Market Introduction Service) reports, commissioned under UKTI’s Passport to Export programme of advice and support. These provided introductions to a number of key companies likely to benefit from OctopusMT’s technology.
As a result OctopusMT has now formed long-term strategic alliances and generated business throughout the world, in North America, Asia, South Africa and Europe.
Since securing an additional €5,000,000 of funding through the London Development Agency (LDA)- managed ERDF for London, the UKTI London International Trade Team have continued to support and encourage the global growth of Octopus MT. Whilst benefitting from this support in 2010, OctopusMT signed a deal to become an official supplier to England 2018, supporting England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Jo Vertigan, Head of Digital, England 2018, said: “I am delighted to be working with Octopus Media Technology, whose skill in video streaming will enhance our fans’ experience of the site. England 2018 strives to be at the forefront of technological innovation and this additional capability further testifies to that ambition.”
Having signed up to the Gateway for Global Growth service with UKTI London, OctopusMT’s success on the global stage continued in January 2010 with the launch of Octopus Korea at the British Embassy in Seoul. With its simple “click-to-play” user experience, and no need to download additional software.
Speaking in 2010 at the British Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Andrew Eborn said: “Since we started working with UKTI, OctopusMT has gone from strength to strength. Year-on-year sales have grown, key markets have been opened, strategic alliances formed and new business generated. We are very grateful for UKTI’s continued support.”
UK Nuclear: Powering the Future Case Study
UKTI publication providing case studies of UK companies providing products and services to the nuclear sector.
SME
SME, a New York-based provider of branding and design solutions, recently opened an office in the UK thanks to support received after registering on the London 2012 CompeteFor website.
Fred Popp, Chief Executive of SME, explains: “London 2012 sparked our business from the beginning. Initially, we were looking to bid for the contract of designing and developing the 2012 Olympic mascot, and this prompted us to register on the CompeteFor site. Within days, I was contacted by representatives of the UKTI team in New York and was introduced to people at Think London, and together we discussed SME’s plans to establish an office in London as part of our expansion programme. London was our first choice out of a number of world cities considered for this new operation, as it offered everything we needed – proximity to Europe, an abundance of creative resources, an internationalised business environment and, of course, major sports events such as the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, the 2015 Rugby World Cup and, potentially, the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
“UKTI and Think London went on to provide us with invaluable support in setting up our London operation, including guidance and assistance with visa applications, introductions to professional services agencies, networking with prospects and support agencies and access to ready-to-use office space in the form of a Touchdown centre.”
SME opened its London office in April 2009, barely four months after registering on the CompeteFor service. The new operation has already proved to be a success, with further expansion either underway or in the pipeline. “The UK office has been successful on a number of levels,” says Popp. “SME has achieved a high level of brand awareness with sports organisations across Europe and throughout the UK, and revenues have started to grow considerably.
“We now have well-situated main offices in Kingston, within walking distance of the train station, as well as sublet office space in central London. We are currently in the process of formulating plans to buy these premises outright and have also opened an office in west Norfolk in order to be close to sports clubs in the Midlands, many of which are growing and seeking to develop more sophisticated marketing activities.”
For more information on how UKTI can help your company, contact a member of their team
Seeing Opportunities
UK based computer software programmer and developer, Dolphin, has secured new business partners abroad with the help of UK Trade & Investment.
For more than 20 years, Dolphin Computer Access Ltd has been developing a range of software programmes that allow people with visual disabilities to work with computers.
By the mid 2000s, Dolphin was looking to expand further afield. The company had had a longstanding relationship with its local Chamber of Commerce, who introduced it to UK Trade & Investment. Dolphin learned about UK Trade & Investment’s Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS) reports and in October 2008 commissioned two reports for Australia and New Zealand.
The report suggested 12 potential distribution partners, which Dolphin shortlisted to six. The company went on a trade mission to the region in mid 2009 and spent two weeks in Australia and three days in New Zealand meeting those that had been shortlisted. UK Trade & Investment contributed funding to meet some of the travel and accommodation costs. They also arranged meetings for Dolphin to demonstrate its product with the Royal Society for the Blind and Vision Australia. After a successful trip, in August 2009 the company had signed a contract with Quantum Technology to distribute its products across Australia and New Zealand.
GrIDsure
In 2006, Cambridgeshire-based company GrIDsure patented an innovative, easy-to-use authentication technology which can strengthen any software security system currently available. Now GrIDsure is poised to become one of the UK’s greatest success stories as it markets its innovative security technology overseas, with the support of UKTI.
"UK Trade & Investment has access to the people we need to speak to, and can set up meetings for us with these crucial contacts"
Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection develops and manufactures sensors to detect and identify chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive materials. Its chemical and biological defence systems are used by military and other government agencies to protect armed forces transport systems, buildings and other public areas. The company’s products can screen everything from a small ticket to a large truck and can be found in nearly all of the world’s commercial airports.
With eight manufacturing centres in Europe and the US, the company employs 2,300 people and has offices in 14 countries. It sells its explosive, chemical and biological defence systems to more than 100 governments around the world, with the US as its largest market, followed by India, Germany, Japan and Australia.
“Detection systems like ours are closely regulated by the British Government,” says Stephen Phipson, President of Smiths Detection. “UK Trade & Investment’s Defence & Security Organisation provides us with an enormous amount of support which enables us to sell our products to governments around the world. They are constantly helping us find new opportunities and providing us with up-to-date information on where we are and are not permitted to market our products.”
Yoomi Teetering on the Edge of International Success
Yoomi, an innovative baby’s bottle which warms to the natural temperature of breast milk at the touch of a button, is turning up the heat in Scandinavia less than a year after the company first started trading.
Incubated at Knowledge Dock, East London University, yoomi, the brainchild of Jim Shaikh is already attracting the attention of buyers around the world. The company recently won the “Best Business Model” award at the EBN Smart Entrepreneurship Competition in Spain.
“Scandinavia is only the first step in a global expansion programme for yoomi,” said Jim, inventor and owner of the brand. “We are working closely with UK Trade & Investment [UKTI] to pinpoint and explore all the export potential out there.”
Jim originally met Erik Childerhouse, International Trade Adviser with UKTI London, at a networking event in the City last autumn. He already had ambitions to take the product global, having seen its potential on personal visits to the USA and Europe to scope out market opportunities, and was looking for support and guidance to make it a reality.
“I immediately ‘clicked’ with Erik, and knew we could work successfully together,” Jim explained. “He has brought strong commercial experience to the table and from the start had a real belief and enthusiasm for the product. Not only has he helped develop our international development strategy, he also pinpointed how UKTI could help us in terms of funding and connections. He’s been a true mentor, giving us the confidence to take our first steps into the international marketplace.”
Download the full Yoomi Case Study
UKTI’s London regional team is dedicated to increasing the competitiveness of SMEs in the capital through international sales development. A team of International Trade Advisers, part-financed by the European Union, delivers tailored help to businesses who are either exporting for the first time or looking to enter new markets.
The team can be reached at: 020 7234 3000 or info@uktilondon.org.uk
Envisioning Success: IndigoVision
IndigoVision manufactures large scale IP security management systems for use in airports, city centres, ports, rail systems, casinos and prisons. It designs and manufactures about 45 different products for use in its security systems, such as control centre management software, dome cameras and network video recorders that can record months or years of video. It also develops the software needed to drive the hardware.
Founded in 1994, IndigoVision has its headquarters in Edinburgh and employs 135 people. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2000. The company exports its products to 82 countries, has partners in 60 countries and people in 22, with its largest markets in North America and the Middle East.
