WeEnrich

The difference lies in an interactive drama engine that creates new scenarios based on gamers’ decisions whilst playing the games, rather than choosing the best fit from a list of stock of pre-scripted outcomes. This means that gamers can play their favourite games over and over again and have a new experience every time.

SCY business manager Heather Niven has been working with WeEnrich founder Maria Arinbjarnar since they first met early in 2011, following a referral by technology business support company Cartezia who were working with the University of York to support spin-out companies such as WeEnrich.

SCY assisted WeEnrich in securing a place at the Phoenix Centre, an early-stage business incubator first established by SCY and now operated by York St John University. In addition to proving vital business space, being part of the Centre offers new opportunities for collaboration with fellow occupants.

With SCY’s support WeEnrich is also seeking to establish student internships from local universities and colleges to build capacity within the company, providing additional graphic art, story writing and front-end web development skills.

SCY has helped Maria gain access to knowledgeable advisers for her business, including SCY business mentor Nick Dunlop-Jones who is providing a funded-programme of intensive business support, and SCY Head of Operations Fay Treloar, who was able to offer WeEnrich specialist advice in completing grant application forms and sourcing new streams of funding. Fay is currently serving as a corporate director on WeEnrich’s Board, working closely with Maria to help realise the business’s aims.

Maria also frequently attends SCY events to take advantage of networking opportunities and the inspirational speakers on offer.

Through Heather’s involvement in WeEnrich, Maria was offered the opportunity to speak in front of an audience of more than 200 people, to include potential investors, at TEDx York 2011. TEDx events have fast-established a reputation for attracting contributions from industry leaders in the fields of technology, entertainment and design. TEDx York gave Maria the chance to promote her ideas to an audience of creative practitioners and innovators, many of whom offer the potential to help further develop her business. All TEDx York talks are uploaded to the TED global on-line platform, bringing further credibility to Maria’s new technology.

The company is now in the early development stages of a ‘mystery’ game to highlight the city’s unique heritage and bring its rich history to life.  Initial conversations with the city’s tourism authority, Visit York, and York Museums Trust, have been very positive.

Maria said: “What has been of greatest value to my company is the wealth of information accessible through SCY and the support in talking through business and market ideas. SCY serving as corporate director has been very helpful in forming and structuring the management of the company and developing a sound business plan.”