A business founded by a former rugby player which is developing a tech platform to support school children’s mental health has secured £44,000 to scale.
Exeter-based Plus-ed, the venture of former England international back row forward Tom Johnson, has developed an app for tablet devices designed to help schools engage and educate students about physical and emotional wellbeing.
The business has raised the grant funding through government innovation agency Innovate UK, which it said it would use to hire developers and build a full web version of its platform.
Mr Johnson, a qualified personal trainer who spent 10 years with Premiership Rugby side Exeter Chiefs, said Plus-ed was focused on helping children aged 9-13, and could assist teachers and parents in identifying children who may need help.
Plus-ed’s successful funding application was supported by Innovate UK EDGE funding specialist Adele Reynolds, with Mr Johnson saying the money would be “fundamental” in commercialising the firm.
Mr Johnson said: “Applying for grants was a hugely worthwhile exercise. Adele challenged me in a very positive way, she identified pitfalls that I hadn’t even considered and helped me to establish a much clearer sense of Plus-ed’s direction of travel.”
“When I’m speaking to parents, teachers, heads of schools and funders, I can now deliver a much clearer message about who we are and what we’re aiming to achieve.”
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