A digital start-up has praised Keele University for enabling a successful first year in operation, with support leading to team growth and business improvements.

VUIT, a data analytics and visualisation specialist, was founded in March 2022 by Adam Townsend and James Pratt, after years of honing the business concept. The company joined Keele University’s Science and Innovation Park a few months later, and felt welcomed and supported from day one.

“We immediately felt like part of the Keele community,” Adam said. “There are so many opportunities available to us here – from partnerships to working with the talented students and graduates – and this was one of the key reasons why we wanted to be based here.”

VUIT recently expanded their team by employing a Keele Computer Science graduate, Cybin Padayatty Cyriac, who has already successfully delivered projects for a key client.

Adam said: “We were looking to grow our team, and worked with Keele to identify several suitable graduates. It was clear from speaking to the candidates that Keele is preparing its students for the world of work, which is a huge bonus to us as business owners.”

Cybin added: “This is already a fantastic start to my career. VUIT offered a challenging role, in a niche area, that can make a real impact in the health and social care arena. Adam and James have been extremely supportive, integrating me into the business and giving me responsibility from day one.”

The company has also benefitted from one of Keele’s newest business support initiatives, focused on embedding the advantages of digital technologies into Staffordshire’s businesses. Through the Digital Advisor project*, VUIT worked with a current Keele student on a bespoke 40-hour project to create online communities to share best practice and self-help, as well as evaluating their current social media presence.

Adam concluded: “It’s fantastic to be part of this innovative university, and our presence within the Science Park is proving to be extremely beneficial for our business and future growth.”

*Innovation Centre 7 and its associated programmes are part-funded through a suite of funders including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (as part of the England 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme), the Research England Development Fund, and UK Government funding through the Getting Building Fund.