A new client portal, funded by an innovation grant, has helped a Bury SME  transform how it supports businesses on their sustainability journey, providing clients with unparalleled transparency and impact data.

• 30% increase in annual sales expected
• £5,700 innovation grant funding received
• 1 new product launched

Play It Green helps businesses make tangible environmental contributions, from carbon footprint reduction to reforestation projects. Since being founded in 2021, it has planted over half a million trees, achieved B Corp certification, and attracted global brands such as G4S.

To continue on its growth trajectory the Bury-based SME turned to our Innovation Service for support. “We knew what we wanted to do, but we didn't have the finances,” says Co-founder and CEO Richard Dickson. “When we approached GM Business Growth Hub, they helped us all the way along.”

Transforming data into actionable insights

Central to Play It Green's mission is transparency and demonstrating tangible impact. Partnering with a nature repair organisation, the business collects extensive data on its projects. This includes metrics like employment creation, food scarcity reduction, and the empowerment of women in developing regions. However, it faced a significant hurdle: effectively processing and presenting this complex data in a clear and engaging manner.

“We had all this rich data, but it wasn’t accessible to our clients,” says Richard. “It needed processing and visualising, but we lacked the technical expertise and resources to make that happen.” Without specialist AI and data science support, Play It Green risked missing an opportunity to commercialise a new service, increase the profitability of its existing operations, and open new revenue streams. 

How GM Business Growth Hub helped

Beginning with a Commercialisation Readiness Assessment to identify gaps in the business model, our Innovation team worked with Richard to create a project brief that was circulated to Greater Manchester’s innovation ecosystem. This outlined Play It Green's innovation needs, defining the project's objectives, scope and desired outcomes, which would enable the business to find the required expertise. 

The Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Hub (DSAI) Hub at the University of Salford responded with a perfect solution and support. The DSAI Hub is a dynamic and collaborative community of experts, researchers, and enthusiasts dedicated to pushing the boundaries of data science and AI. It has one aim, to collaborate with industry, whether that be through bespoke training programs, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships or consultancy.

Play it Green engaged with the university’s team and went on to be directly supported by the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Hub via the Innovation Navigator funding.

Working with Richard’s team, the DSAI Hub developed an API integration tool to extract, analyse and display the data, transforming it into visual insights that are accessible online. To fund the project, the Innovation team secured a £5,700 grant for the business through the Innovation Navigator Flexible Fund Scheme, covering the full cost.

“Russell Mansfield [Commercialisation Specialist at GM Business Growth Hub] guided us every step of the way,” says Richard. “He didn’t just help us identify what we needed to do; he worked through the project details with us, connected us with the right people, and helped us secure the funding we needed to make it happen.”

Providing greater added value to customers

Three months after the project had begun, Play It Green launched a new client portal that allows customers to see the tangible outcomes of their contributions. Metrics like hours of employment created, environmental restoration and social empowerment are now clearly displayed; it is a level of data scrutiny that has never been achieved before in the nature repair industry.

“The AI work from the University of Salford has been pivotal,” Richard says. “We can now show people the amazing impacts they’re making in the developing world, giving them the transparency and insights they’ve been asking for. It’s making a huge difference.”

By helping its customers to win tenders, remain in supply chains, and improve their brand value, the innovation is bolstering Play It Green’s sales and marketing operations. “The portal has transformed how we engage with our clients,” says Richard, who expects to see a 30% increase in turnover per annum, and is exploring international expansion opportunities.  

“GM Business Growth Hub and the University of Salford have been fantastic,” he adds. “I’d thoroughly recommend them to any business looking for support.”

The role of Greater Manchester’s innovation ecosystem

Play It Green’s success highlights the importance of Greater Manchester’s innovation ecosystem. From academic partnerships to funding opportunities, the region offers a huge range of support for businesses looking to grow.

“The University of Salford is a key part of the region’s amazing innovation community,” says Russell. “It has such a wide range of facilities that businesses can access with the right guidance, including the Centre of Sustainable Innovation [CSI], the Energy House Labs, NERIC [North of England Robotics Innovation Centre], and the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Hub, which was so instrumental in helping Play It Green.”

Sara Boswell, Director at the CSI, says: “Working very closely with the different schools across the University of Salford, the CSI opens up new avenues for businesses and helps them to understand the art of the possible when developing innovative solutions. The CSI takes a collaborative approach to solving business challenges and works very closely with other areas of the University such as the DSAI Hub, this approach enhances the quality and impact of projects by leveraging diverse expertise and resources. This not only accelerates innovation but also ensures that solutions are robust and well-rounded, ultimately benefiting both the academic community and industry partners.”

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Start your business support journey today

Whether your company needs funding, advice or access to technical expertise, contact our Innovation team to take the next step. Call us on 0161 359 3050 or email bgh@growthco.uk. We’ll support you with whatever you need to succeed. This expert help is available at no cost to eligible businesses across Greater Manchester.