An engineering software consultancy in Coventry is investing a six-figure sum and recruiting new staff after receiving help from a business support group.
EnginSoft UK Ltd was launched at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Venture Centre on Sir William Lyons Road in 2009. The business specialises in providing virtual prototyping, consultancy, training and research for a range of clients including Jaguar Land Rover.
A total of £150,000 is being invested this year in hydraulics software along with a grant of £44,207 from the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme after the company received help from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Growth Hub.
Bipin Patel, co-founder and managing director, said: "We have a number of clients in the water sector and we have developed software tools to help them manage the flooding impact of growth of towns and cities through the drainage capacity needed for housing, hospitals and schools plus climate change.
"You can have a 25-year plan for growth but can’t know when the growth will happen or when climate change will kick in so we’re developing AI-based software to help manage the risk for water companies.
"I contacted the growth hub to find out about grants and I was impressed with their speed along with the support of Coventry City Council in helping me to complete the application form which needed to be done within a week to be discussed by the grants panel. It was great to be successful and to have the grant to help towards our investment."
Patel has recruited 39 interns as part of the government’s Kickstart scheme to add to the current 11-strong workforce.
He added: "I think the government has supported us well through the pandemic since we have been able to use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Bounce Back Loans and grants and being involved in Kickstart is my way of giving something back to the community and, in particular, the engineering community.
"I’m conscious there could be a dearth of engineers if we lose them to other sectors during Covid-19 and as the economy picks up again, there could be a shortage of engineers.
"We have found there is some fantastic talent out there, including in sales and marketing, and we are benefiting as a business."
Justine Chadwick, account manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, added: "EnginSoft UK is aiming to expand even further as they win new business in a number of sectors.
"Employability skills are key to the success of future growth, and recruiting and training young people through the government’s Kickstart scheme is an ideal way of adding talented staff and teaching them the skills your business needs.
"The initiative has been a great way for EnginSoft UK to attract new engineers and give them valuable experience for their future career development so it is a win-win situation."
