Southport firm Immersive Interactive targets new markets with £150k funding

A Southport company that creates learning interactive spaces for schools and training centres has landed £150k in funding to fuel its expansion plans.

Immersive Interactive secured the six-figure boost from The North West Fund for Venture Capital and now expects to double its turnover over the next 12 months.

The cash is Immersive Interactive’s second round of investment from the fund, which provided £100k when the company first launched.

Founded three years ago by David Salt and Chris Porter, today the firm has clients across the UK and resellers based in Italy, Spain, Hong Kong, Australia and the Middle East.

Will Clark of business loans and venture capital firm Enterprise Ventures, which manages the fund, said: “The market for educational technology is growing internationally.

“There is a demand for more immersive and engaging systems in schools, as the increasing use of tablets,touch screens and ebooks shows. Immersive Interactive has attracted international interest and is expanding rapidly.”

He added: “This funding will allow it to fulfil its current orders and explore opportunities in new markets such as the medical sector.”

Immersive Interactive’s offer centres around educational software that seeks to bring stories to life through sound, smell and interactive wall projections.

While the company has reported previous successes in the education sector, and with special needs schools in particular, it said its technology is now being used to provide medical professionals with accident and emergency simulations, potentially providing first aiders and paramedics with more realistic training scenarios.

The firm’s co-founder, Chris Porter, commented: “We are extremely grateful to Enterprise Ventures and The North West Fund.

“The initial investment enabled us to start up and develop our products, while this latest round provides additional support at a time of rapid growth.”

Immersive Interactive was advised by Robin Hastings from law firm Bermans and Nathan Heathcliff-Core from Verus, while Harriet Sutherland of legal practice Ward Hadaway acted for the fund.

The company is chaired by Matt Johnson, the co-founder of Liverpool-based digital agency Mando Group.

The North West Fund for Venture Capital forms part of the £155m North West Fund, which is jointly financed by the European Investment Bank and the European Regional Development Fund.