UK GRADUATE SECURES


MASSIVE US FUNDING BOOST


Masters graduate Benjamin F. Wirtz is celebrating after scooping more than $100,000 in funding from a Silicon Valley investor to develop his mobile technology company, Handy Elephant.


Benjamin, who graduated with a MSc in E-Business and Innovation at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) and founded the company straight after his studies, received the huge investment from technology company Citrix, and won a place on their coveted Startup Accelerator Programme. Handy Elephant was the only UK startup to make the finals of a competition dominated by US ventures.


The investment amount, though not disclosed, is between $100,000- 400,000. As part of the start up programme, Handy Elephant will receive coaching and advice on building the company and Citrix also provides office space in the technology capital of the world, Silicon Valley, USA.


Benjamin, 26, and his team of five staff plan to use the money to improve and publicise their Handy Elephant Android mobile application.


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The app is a customer relationship management tool to help improve people’s networking productivity. It analyses users’ interactions with their contacts and acts like a Personal Assistant that tells the user who they need to follow up with, when the best time is to get in touch, and which channels will be most effective.


“Business and sales professionals these days are making more contacts


all the time, it has become more crucial to businesses to manage their networks to maximum effect. Handy Elephant allows you to manage your contacts more efficiently,” Benjamin says.


On the app, users are able to set reminders as to when to follow up, arrange a meeting or call so you don’t have to rely on memory. Benjamin hopes the product will grow to become an indispensible


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