Digital forming

London SME secures £50,000 R&D funding following support from the London Innovation Network

Digital Forming, a software development company specialising in mass customisation and distribution of consumer products, were looking for critical funding to continue their development of a number of new technologies which would bring them to business towards the end of 2009. Through support from the London Innovation Network, the company has accessed £50,000.

Following research on digital design and manufacturing, and the impact of rapid manufacturing technologies on the industry by a world renowned product designer and a design consultancy, Digital Forming was set up in 2008 to formally create an alliance between product design and technology.

With a mission to create a platform for product design using rapid manufacturing techniques, Digital Forming set out to develop a set of 3D software solutions for retail organisations which will allow consumers to determine how they want their products – from its design, colour, physical layout and functions – and have it manufactured according to these individual needs. This innovative new technology will bring an entirely new concept to the market, that of individual consumer customisation both of the form and scale of retail products, without compromising the function and design. This platform will eventually be licensed to popular consumer facing brands allowing their customers to customise their range of products in an easy and robust way.

Before this new technology is officially launched, the business is planning to launch their own brand to demonstrate the ability of this new platform, which will not only serve as a key marketing tool but also to generate initial revenue. Allowing amateur and professional designers to share, modify, co-create, and trade 3D designs, this will essentially be a community area that will allow for the exchange of creativity, and will eventually allow users to save and sell their designs, thus gaining royalties.

Having contacted the London Innovation Network to learn about funding opportunities, the business received a free one-to-one with our expert European Funding Manager and was advised that funding from the Technology Strategy Board was the most appropriate source for growth in their case. Having provided feedback on their proposal, the Network further assisted the company by contacting the funding source to raise awareness of this innovative new proposal. Having submitted their proposal in March 2009 with the assistance of a TSB Adviser, Digital Forming, in partnership with London Metropolitan University and University College London, secured £50,000 of the £100,000 TSB budget.

Digital Forming are currently working towards launching their product in September 2009, whilst they continue to work alongside the London Innovation Network to explore and apply for further European funding.

For more information please contact Enterprise Europe Network London at 020 7940 1512 / innovation@gle.co.uk

For more information about Digital Forming visit digitalforming.com