A company which makes online tutorials for multinational companies has received a £625,000 investment including funding from The North West Fund for Venture Capital, managed by Enterprise Ventures.
AppLearn, which is based in Manchester, was founded in 2011 by serial entrepreneur Mark Barlow. Mark recognised that the biggest challenge for companies implementing new software was getting staff to use it. AppLearn makes high-quality video tutorials which are embedded within software programmes.
The multilingual videos can be accessed on demand from any device or location, so staff worldwide can learn at their own convenience. By improving uptake of corporate software, they also help companies to drive up performance and efficiency.
AppLearn’s clients includes international corporations such as Mercer, Ahlstrom, Goldcorp, Bombardier and Mandarin Oriental, its first client in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mark was also the co-founder of IT Counsel – which was launched in 1993 and sold to Amey Group plc six years later – and the marketing business Hasgrove, which floated on AIM in 2006, a year after its launch, with a market capitalisation of £39m.
He has been joined at AppLearn by Dr John Cavill as Chairman. John is an entrepreneur and academic who founded Intermezzo Ventures where Mark once worked.
The North West Fund for Venture Capital has invested £312,500 in the company, with Dr Cavill investing an equal amount.
Will Clark of Enterprise Ventures said: “AppLearn has built an impressive client base in less than two years and now has a presence on three continents. The investment will allow it to take advantage of further growth opportunities.”
The North West Fund for Venture Capital is part of the £155m North West Fund, financed jointly by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Investment Bank.