This document summarizes the success of an Innovation Voucher received by a social enterprise software developer. Key points: - The voucher helped the developer adopt a new technical framework, allowing them to rapidly develop and offer their Social Impact Tracker product to more organizations internationally. - Technically, the new framework improved development speed and deliverables. It also reduced hosting and licensing costs. - Socially, the voucher provided new skills and a relationship with a university knowledge partner. - Economically, the voucher helped increase their user base by 500%, double sales, and attract new investment - opening doors to other opportunities.

1. Vouching for Success
the impact and success of our Innovation Voucher

2. Who we are
• Operate in Ireland & Britain
• Experience of the
requirements & practices
within the 3rd sector
• Developed over 100
database solutions
• Understand & empathise
with our target audience
• Provide solutions that meet
organisational needs and
further their objectives
• 18 years experience of ICT &
Software Development
• 12 years within the C&V
Sector
• Partnerships with other
social enterprises
• Social Enterprise since
Jan’07
• 3 members of staff
• Work primarily with 3rd
Sectors Organisations
• ICO Registered
• Invest NI Client
• Consortia Partner SENI
BACKDROP PEOPLE
EXPERIENCEAPPROACH

3. What we do
Bespoke
Database
Applications
Social Impact
Tracker
Impact
Measurement
Consultancy
ICT &
Database
Support

4. Voucher Aims
Technical – Social – Economic
• To address product accessibility, performance and reliability
• To improve our development methodology and processes
• To embed new best practice skills /architecture
• To improve export market potential for our product
• To attract new clients, improve profits and safeguard jobs

5. Social Impact Tracker is a secure online database that allows organisations to
capture and report their inputs, outputs, outcomes and social impact

6. Technical Impact
 The adoption of a new framework has provided significant gains in
terms of development times and deliverables
 It enabled us to bring the product to market rapidly and offer it to
organisations with multiple projects, sites and users throughout
Ireland, UK, and internationally
 The product is hosted on a specialist web server in a secure data
centre: lower overheads = lower license price
 The adoption of the framework has reduced the core system
programming tasks and thus reduced the potential of error
 The choice of Open Source received well by our client base – no
bespoke software is required on the client computers

7. Social Impact
Provided new transferable skills for further system
developments
Advantages of the University’s expertise and of having
a critical eye on our business
It’s a 2 way process – both parties learn and evolve
their thinking
First class Knowledge Provider. Proved to be very
supportive and accessible at all times
Closer relationships with the University helps the
business model

8. Economic Impact
 Increased our user base by approx 500% and doubled our SIT
sales turnover
 Established 7 Distributor Partnerships across UK (All SE)
 New export markets in ROI, Scotland, England & Wales
 Attracted investment from other agencies INI, Big Issue Invest
 Selected as one of the three DigiBIC Award finalists to pitch at
the EBN Congress in the city
 Opened doors to other business opportunities, publicity and
promotion

9. Tips from us….
• Don’t despair if you are unsuccessful (we submitted 3
applications)
– Ask for detailed feedback before re-applying
• This was the best package for us
– Will the Voucher give you the support you need?
– Research and identify your suitable knowledge
individual
• The University must encourage this innovation
route especially with Social Enterprises

10. What's Next?
1. New Voucher Application to be submitted
2. Joint Venture Merger with a UK Distributor
3. INI R&D Application for new Product
Versions
4. ISO 27001 Accreditation (Information Security)
5. New European Markets

11. Thank-you…..
www.socialimpacttracker.org
info@socialimpacttracker.org
T. 028 71 308166