Multi-million pound EU funding to create 10 jobs at Lancashire-based Valuechain.com

Advanced manufacturing software firm Valuechain.com is set to take on staff and bring its new systems to market after secured millions in EU funding.

The firm’s €3.2m (£2.7m) DISCO project, which stands for Data Integrated Supply Chain Optimisation, will create around 10 jobs at its base in Lancaster University’s ICT centre InfoLab21.

With DISCO, Valuechain.com is aiming to develop productivity, collaboration and intelligence solutions for businesses in the advanced manufacturing sector, potentially enabling smaller suppliers to work together more efficiently.

The seven-figure boost from Horizon 2020, the European Union’s largest research and innovation programme to date, will give Valuechain.com the opportunity to further develop the technologies it has successfully piloted with various multi-national firms, including aerospace company Bombardier and automaker Bentley Motors.

Valuechain.com has already received several rounds of funding through Lancashire County Council’s Rosebud Finance. The company also recently expanded with the acquisition of Surrey-based Tricorn Systems.

Valuechain.com’s CEO, Tom Dawes, said: “Winning the prestigious Horizon 2020 funding means that Valuechain.com is officially recognised as one of Europe’s most innovative businesses.

“The funding will allow us to grow our talent base and collaborate with universities and other partners in our mission to improve the competitiveness of manufacturing firms.”

He added: “We now have the opportunity to become the Facebook of business-to-business collaboration.”

Rosebud Finance is managed by business loans and venture capital firm Enterprise Ventures.

Paul Taberner, investment director at Enterprise Ventures, commented: “In the world of advanced manufacturing, small firms can no longer be a jack of all trades – they need to focus on what they do best and collaborate with others to produce what big customers want.

“By allowing small suppliers to work together, Valuechain’s exciting technology has the potential to transform how manufacturing companies compete.”

Enterprise Ventures runs Rosebud on behalf of the county council’s economic development company, Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL).

County Councillor and LCDL chair Niki Penney said: “We’re delighted to hear about Valuechain’s success that will directly lead to new jobs in the county.

“The work that they’ll be carrying out using this funding will also have benefits for the companies they work with, which is a further benefit.”

Niki added: “Rosebud works to provide the right package of support so that companies can fulfill their potential, deliver new growth and develop their global reach, which results in new jobs in the county.”

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