A Manchester-based research company has expanded globally and created eight new jobs.
The Insights People launched in 2017 and has established itself as a leader in kids and family market intelligence.
Through its Kids Insights service, the company surveys more than 1,600 children a week (80,000 a year) across six countries, including the US, UK, France and Germany.
This enables the firm to provide real-time data to its clients via its online portal, which is updated with 640,000 data points every week.
The company’s CEO, Nick Richardson, initially approached the Business Growth Hub, part of The Growth Company and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, in 2017 looking for support in developing the firm’s online platform and range of client-facing products.
Hub advisor Paul Halliday also acted as a sounding board for Nick as the company looked to implement targets.
The Hub supported the company’s entry into the 2017 Innovation Showcase Competition with its participation in the final at Venturefest Manchester 2017 leading directly to investment from Adam Kara, who is now a non-executive director of the company.
The Insights People, based in Manchester, now employs 15 members of staff – among the eight roles created were chief commercial officer, a developer, and a researcher, with assistance from the Hub.
The company boasts clients from around the globe which include the BBC, Disney, Liverpool FC, Ofcom, SEGA, and Warner Bros, and has plans to launch in Asia later this year.
The firm is also currently in discussions with one of Greater Manchester’s leading universities to establish a partnership to collaborate on a range of projects including the utilisation of Artificial Intelligence.
“Our vision has never changed, but with such an aggressive growth strategy we have needed to not only recruit a team of highly capable individuals who share our vision but have the aptitude to make it happen,” said Nick Richardson, CEO of The Insights People.
“The same can be said for the team of advisors we have supporting us, as without their commitment and support, we would not have achieved what we have done to date.
“Their support will also be crucial as we enter the next stage of our growth as we look to secure and finalise the next round of investment to further scale our US and European businesses and launch into Asia.”
Paul Halliday, growth advisor at the Hub, added: “It is a joy to see the success The Insights People have had since I first met them.
“Nick and his team are a very talented and dedicated bunch operating in what is a fascinating area of research – the thoughts and concerns of our children, including such things as their favourite brands, their media consumption and the activities that make up their everyday lives – and so, it is no surprise that such high-profile brands have signed up to receive the company’s insights.”