Ahead of our virtual events in the Healthcare and Life Sciences sector which are designed to kickstart exports in what is a fast growing industry for the UK economy, we spoke to Ed Rogers, founder of Bristol Braille, an innovative not-for-profit organisation which has invented the world’s first a multi-line Braille e-reader.
Braille enables those with visual impairments to read and access information through a tactile writing system, which is typically written on embossed paper.
With paper Braille being bulky and only the most popular works being transcribed, this represents a significant barrier to access for the visually impaired – in particular students.
Whilst existing technologies allow for the display of a single line of text, between 12 and 40 characters, Bristol Braille’s Canute 360 is a nine-line refreshable Braille reader, which means users no longer have to wait for each line of a story or page to load one-by-one.
The company’s largest export market is the US and since 2018 it has sold over 100 units across the country.
Ed says:
“The market in the UK was never enough to justify development. We targeted the US due to the existing demand and the fact that it was easy for us to export to an English-speaking country, but we are also looking at many other territories, including the Far East, the Middle East, and Europe.”
“I’ve always been really impressed with the Department for International Trade (DIT). It’s great to have telephone calls from specialists in government departments that are confident in your businesses’ export potential.
“On one occasion we received a phone call from someone at DIT who was trying to encourage us to export to the Middle East. They said they saw potential in our company and wanted to support us and the help has been fantastic.
“Stefano, our International Trade Adviser, has been really proactive in getting us to apply for a match funded grant for advice on markets including all the basics you need to have learnt to start exporting.”
The company has also received financial support to attend key business events and trade shows in the States, including a global series of education shows allowing the company to develop relationships with distributors.
Ed says: “I would say a good 60% of our sales were indirectly a result of going to these shows.
“You need to understand customs logistics and you should check your HST or commodity codes – this is crucial and can save you a lot of time when exporting.
“I’d also suggest getting in touch with DIT and finding out about the opportunities available to help get your exports started.”
Events in the Healthcare and Life Sciences sector:
DIT is hosting a series of virtual events to help Healthcare and Life Sciences businesses kickstart their exports. See below for upcoming events and recordings of past events:
•Internationalising the South West's Digital Healthcare - view recording of webinar
•Exporting the best of the South West: Taking Healthcare & Life Science companies international - view recording of webinar
•Exporting Healthcare and Life Sciences to China – view recording of webinar
•Exporting Healthcare & Life Sciences to UAE - Monday 15th March at 10:00-11:00
•Exporting Healthcare & Life Sciences to Japan - Tuesday 16th March at 09:00-10:30
Get in touch
To discuss your own export options and find out more about DIT support services in the South West call 01275 774 456, email ditsw@mobile.trade.gov.uk or visit www.great.gov.uk.
DIT’s services in the South West are delivered by Business West. For further information, click here.
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