Nixor Solutions is developing a software and statistical analysis package that can be used by the nuclear, defence and engineering sectors, among others.

It aims to cut the time projects take to complete by taking account of issues such as scheduling, recording, analysing and making predictions on tasks.

The Innovus grant was a proof of concept grant and enabled us to take on our first employee to work on software development. It also opened doors for us within Sellafield Ltd.

The business was launched by David Herington in Barrow in 2016 and received funding from Barrow Borough Council, via the Growth Hub.

This paid for adviser Alan Smithson’s help in setting up Nixor and in applying for a grant from Innovus, which supports Cumbrian SMEs looking to commercialise innovative technologies. The grant application was successful.

David said: “The Innovus grant was a proof of concept grant and enabled us to take on our first employee to work on software development. It also opened doors for us within Sellafield Ltd.

“Alan’s help was invaluable. He helped us draw up a business and marketing plan, and was a sounding board for our ideas.

“We put together what we thought was a great presentation for the funding pitch, which is a bit like the TV programme ‘Dragons Den’.

“We did a dry run with Alan and he came up with some great refinements, which I think were decisive in us being awarded the funding. We probably could have done it without but at the time it felt like we couldn’t.”

Nixor is now marketing its software and services, and has a bright future.