In 2023, AMION completed the summative assessment of the Immersive Business project for Falmouth University. The project was part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and match funded by Falmouth University and the University of Exeter with total expenditure of £2 million.
The Immersive Business project provided business support to SMEs in Cornwall assisting them with introducing immersive technologies into their organisations and developing new products and service lines. Beneficiaries were provided with access to a new Immersive Technologies facility at Falmouth University which contained the necessary equipment and space for businesses to explore the technologies supported by academics and experts in the sector.
The evaluation included a telephone survey of beneficiaries (carried out by Spirul), consultations with project team and Steering Group members and case studies of nine beneficiaries. The survey findings were used to estimate the impacts of the project and assess its value for money using the three E’s – Economy, Effectiveness and Efficiency.
Our evaluation showed that the project supported SMEs in Cornwall across a range of sectors, including micro-creative businesses which are traditionally difficult to reach. The project was well managed and delivered efficiently with the project team demonstrating high levels of flexibility in delivery during the Covid-19 pandemic. The businesses surveyed were found to have very high levels of satisfaction with the project significantly improving their knowledge of immersive technologies.
AMION have supported numerous evaluations across Cornwall and are familiar with the unique economic characteristics of the area. Other recent projects we have evaluated in Cornwall include the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross scheme, the Cornwall LEADER rural support programme, the Cornwall CLLD programme and Hall for Cornwall’s redevelopment. AMION also completed an independent process and impact evaluation of the £14.3 million Getting Building Fund programme on behalf of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.