Importers, exporters, designers and distributors of gothic and fantasy giftware, Nemesis Now, approached the Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme (KRISP)* to enhance their sales process.

KRISP has been designed to help small-to-medium sized businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to develop new products, processes or services. It does this by providing fully-funded support and resources in the form of students who are employed in the company for up to 100 hours as Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) Associates, supported by academics, business advisors and the KRISP team.

For over a decade, Nemesis Now has had a state-of-the-art warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent, with in-house designers and 3D printers, from which it delivers products to customers throughout the UK, Europe and 35 countries worldwide.

Talented Keele University second year computer science student, Dorina Keresztesi, who was appointed to the KRISP project, produced a catalogue for customers to easily view a history of their past purchases. Managing Director of Nemesis Now, Nick Chadwick, said: “What we really liked about KRISP is the knowledge and expertise on hand throughout the project. They really listened to the project brief and we were impressed with the academic and the student working as a Research, Development and Innovation Associate. Not only did Dorina complete the brief but in addition, she provided suggestions for further developments during it. We were so pleased that we offered her an ongoing contract with us, and she is of great value to the team.”

The KRISP project made it possible to put a new business service into action after 12 months of trying to find an ‘off the shelf’ solution. Nemesis Now continues to grow, providing worldwide products including licenced merchandise products from Game of Thrones, Iron Maiden and AC/DC.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent businesses can benefit from a range of programmes that provide specialist support and funding, more details of which are available through Keele University’s Business Gateway - 01782 733001 / business.gateway@keele.ac.uk.

*The KRISP project (ref: 32R16P00711) is part-funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds England Growth Programme 2014-2020.