Manchester VR firm sets sights on European growth with £160k export funding

An immersive technology and virtual reality company in Manchester is expanding sales of its VR products across the Channel with a six-figure export loan.

Clicks+Links will use the £160k funding from The Greater Manchester Export Fund (GMEF) to strengthen its presence in Europe’s corporate VR market and fund new product development.

Founded in 2000 by CEO Vin Sumner, today the company employs a team of 12 across offices in Manchester, Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

Clicks+Links focuses on virtual reality and immersive products and technologies for the business market, with clients including retail group Co-op, Manchester City Council, nuclear decommissioning firm Sellafield and London’s Crossrail tunnel project.

Chief exec Vin said: “From being one of the first companies to host virtual concerts, we have established a strong reputation for our innovative work for business and corporate clients. The Export Fund loan will now equip us for the next stage of our European expansion journey, which will see us grow our export sales considerably.

“The immersive applications and digital experiences we create can add hugely to the value of an organisation, from building a virtual reality construction site to creating exciting 3D training and collaborative working programmes.”

GMEF is delivered by Business Finance Solutions (BFS), Business Growth Hub and the Department for International Trade (DIT), all of which are part of The Growth Company.

Andy Nichols, senior loan manager at funding support BFS, commented: “GM is now recognised as a major international hub for VR and gaming and we’re delighted to be able to help Vin and his team to bring those same applications to a much wider commercial and corporate audience.

“The immersive and multi-sensory technology that Clicks+Links has developed is revolutionising the way we do business, both in the UK and globally, putting people into the heart of a remote workplace, new building or event.”