Student Enterprise @ Purple Door

Background

Development on the LinQ range of products began in the year 2005, developing various web applications simply as a hobby.  However, the applications got to a stage where they became so developed, it effectively became a marketable product.  James has experimented with business ideas before forming LinQ in 2006.

James is currently enrolled on the Partnership Program at the University of Portsmouth, gaining a degree while running the business full time.

LinQ's primary product, Enterprise Server is a mobile business management system, integrating tracking, stock management, signature capture and invoicing all in a central internet based system.  Enterprise Server was designed to make previously expensive technologies available to all businesses, no matter what their size.

Enterprise Server has been shown to reduce costs of clients an average of 80% in client firms, with the use of electronic invoicing and paperless billing, maximising effeciency and speeding up cash flow wilst also improving customer retention.

LinQ are one of the first providers grasping the new 'Software as a Service' model, providing all our software free, only charging on a per use basis, effectively making the system pay as you go.  This lowers the barriers to entry considerably for small businesses, making it particularly appealing in the current economic down turn.

Portsmouth Centre for Enterprise Support

James entered the idea for the initial LinQ system into the Enterprise Challenge 2005, and after extensive mentoring from the Portsmouth Centre for Enterprise, was subsequently successful, achieving the first place and securing funding, which ensured the continued development of the system.

After success at the Enterprise Challenge, James acquired a business unit at the Portsmouth Centre for Enterprise, establishing a firm base for the company's activities and an ideal setting for meetings with prospective customers and partners.

LinQ has subsequently gone on to sell versions of their Enterprise Server software to a national supermarket chain and a Japanese conglomerate.

Mentoring continued withthe PCE to ensure continued focus on the direction of the business and sourcing any future potential development partners.  In late 2005, an agreement was reached with the University of Portsmouth, which saw them purchase a stake in the LinQ business, ensuring a continued relationship with the university.  LinQ also then went on to become a sponsor and supporter of the University's Enterprise Challenge, which James had won in the past.

LinQ also went on to achieve funding from SEEDA affiliate Finance South East and continues to be involved extensively with the Solent Enterprise Hub.

Future Projects and Developments

The future is looking bright for LinQ with new partners being added continually, and the launch of our national sales networks, now with sales reps covering all of the UK.  The demand for Enterprise Server has rocketed recently with the onset of the economic downturn, with businesses seeking to implement LinQ software in order to substantially reduce their operating costs and speed up their cash flow.

LinQ are also set to launch a revolutionary new version of Enterprise Server in 2009, and own branded mobile devices in partnership with BT.

To learn more about LinQ and Enterprise Servier, visit www.linqglobal.com