Software firm makes smart approach to Euro aerospace clusters

4 August 2017 Viney Chauhan

Hand holding tablet with AR application for check pick up time in smart factory warehouse.

With help from EEN, Value Chain made a successful application for €3.2 million of EU Horizon 2020 funding through the SME Instrument (Phase 2).

An aerospace cluster from Latvia, one of seven introduced through EEN, formally agreed during the 2017 Paris Air Show to work with Value Chain through technology co-operation and financial agreements. Discussions have reached an advanced stage with two other clusters.

Advanced manufacturing sectors

CEO Tom Dawes launched Value Chain as a start-up in 2013 with half-a- dozen staff. The company now employs 60 people, mainly at its headquarters within Daresbury Innovation Centre.

Value Chain has developed a range of software solutions for manufacturers to share data more easily with supply chain partners, particularly in advanced manufacturing sectors such as aerospace and automotive.

They allow companies to collect data from people, plant, products, processes and partners. Smart dashboards then allow companies to make informed decisions about production and the supply chain.

EEN has helped Value Chain to secure new strategic clients and projects, and to advise on potential sources of funding to develop the business.

“Our EEN adviser Viney Chauhan has helped us with our funding strategy. Really importantly, he has helped us to cast the net globally and helped open the doors that we would have found difficult as a small company – and we’ve not had to pay anything for that.”

Tom added: “Without EEN looking at our business from the outside in and helping with that strategic matchmaking, we wouldn’t have been where we are today. If you need global strategic partnerships, I’d go through the EEN route.”

Software firm makes smart approach to Euro aerospace clusters

Advanced manufacturing sectors

“Our EEN adviser Viney Chauhan has helped us with our funding strategy. Really importantly, he has helped us to cast the net globally and helped open the doors that we would have found difficult as a small company – and we’ve not had to pay anything for that.”

Tom added: “Without EEN looking at our business from the outside in and helping with that strategic matchmaking, we wouldn’t have been where we are today. If you need global strategic partnerships, I’d go through the EEN route.”

Tom Dawes, Value Chain

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