Derby-based games development studio Straw Dog Studios has received £50,000 funding from the University of Derby’s Invest To Grow Fund to bring its award-winning Time Tables Adventures educational app to market.
Established in 2003, Strawdog Studios offers ‘work for hire’ development services for game publishers and brand holders, delivering high quality video game content for leading and emerging game platforms. The funding provided will see the creation of eight new jobs over the coming years.
The Times Table Adventures app, an educational product aimed at UK primary school children aged 3-11 years, recently scooped the Best Education Game at The Independent Games Association (TIGA) awards.
The team behind the creation of the app includes three University of Derby graduates, programmers Chris Fisher and Matt Handy, along with artist and animator Matt Mould.
Paul Smith, Managing Director of Strawdog Studios, said: “The Invest to Grow grant funding and support enabled the development of the Times Table Adventures game to progress much quicker. “It also contributes to achieving our planned growth and strategic objectives and we are now in a position to explore more opportunities with primary schools and education providers. “This is an exciting time for Strawdog and we’re delighted that our programme development team includes graduates from the University of Derby and the award from TIGA recognises the effort and hard work from all the team here.”
Mark Wheddon, Head of Strategic Programmes at the University, added: “We are proud to support Strawdog through the Invest to Grow Fund. They are an innovative company and this funding has supported their growth in the region.
“The grant has not only helped Strawdog to develop the Times Table Adventure game, but will also create more jobs in this industry in Derby. We hope to continue to support the business with further opportunities in the future.”
The University of Derby secured a £16 million Invest to Grow fund from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF), which is aimed at fuelling business expansion and helping to create and safeguard thousands of jobs in the East Midlands region.
The University uses the fund to support business growth in the region by investing in companies, as well as providing access to its extensive range of wider resources including academic expertise and technology.
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