A high-tech Coventry company that helps its clients in the virtual world is landing contracts right across the real world too.
Serious Games International, which is based at the Coventry Innovation Village and is a spin out from Coventry University, offers businesses the chance to use the latest technology for learning, simulation and problem solving in the virtual world.
The company, which employs 27 staff from video game and academic backgrounds, has tapped into the expertise of the UKTI international trade team based at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
Serious Game International signed up for an OMIS – which gives detailed research into a potential new market – and has also been offered support through the passport to export scheme.
The scheme helps firms ‘get ready’ for overseas trade and offers training and advice before exploring further international opportunities.
On the back of the programme, the company has landed contracts in Asia –with United World College of South East Asia and are in development talks with Singapore Airlines.
It is also in talks over possible deals in the USA after taking part in a UKTI trip to Washington earlier this year.
Tim Luft, managing director at Serious Games International, said: “Working with UKTI has enabled us to significantly increase our markets and develop business on an international basis.
“Their financial support alongside their business expertise and key contacts has been invaluable in ensuring that we can get in front of the right audiences to promote our innovative work and securing new business.
“That’s not only good for us – but it brings benefits to the whole economy.”
He added: “Our contract in Asia came about on the back of a UKTI event in Singapore and it was through them again that we have started to establish a foothold in the USA.
“We have very ambitious plans to increase our international market – we are targeting Europe, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as increasing the work we do in America and Singapore.”
Serious Games International will move onto the Gateway to Global Growth scheme with UKTI in January next year.
Ajay Desai, of the Chamber’s international trade team, said: “We are delighted to have played such a positive role in Serious Game International’s overseas trade and we look forward to helping them even further.
“They will move across to our Gateway to Global Growth programme in the New Year. That is where we support – both through advice and, in some cases, finance – companies who have exported before but are looking at new markets.
“Passport to Export is a great starting point for those who are inexperienced when it comes to overseas trade but Gateway offers more in-depth advice to those looking to take it a stage further.
“It’s crucial that we see more businesses taking up the opportunity to do both. We need more new exporters and, indeed, we need those who are trading overseas already to do even more of it!”
