Aerial Icon Ltd and the story so far…
Founded in 2017, Aeriel Icon Ltd is an award-winning Aerial Videography & VR Therapy Provider. Using the latest in drone and filmmaking technology to deliver high quality aerial imagery and film, developing AI and VR medical content.
Leading on the project is Ekene Ukemenam, Founder & Director at Aeriel Icon Ltd, working with a team of three, based at ARISE Innovation Hub, part of Anglia Ruskin University.
The innovation
Aerial Icon’s ambition is to diversify its current product range to introduce an innovative capability to create ultra-high-quality aerial 360 videos that will serve as the foundation for constructing virtual reality therapies. This radical initiative known as “Aerial 360 (VR Therapy) Solutions” is designed to address prevalent mental health disorders such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that people experience during particular seasons or times of year, Anxiety and Acrophobia (fear of heights). Collectively these common mental health issues affect about a third of adults in the UK, and the expected introduction of the VR therapy product offers an affordable alternative to traditional remedies.
Aerial 360 Solutions (VR Therapy) development is an expansion on previous work at the University of Hertfordshire, which involved delivering a VR experience, to document therapeutic effects on participants. This trial identified a clear demand for Aerial Icons innovative VR solution.
The journey
In December 2023, Aerial Icon was awarded a £5,000 Innovate UK Begin grant. The ‘Begin’ grant, through Innovate UK is aimed to support people with exciting, breakthrough innovative businesses or ideas driving positive economic, environmental and societal change, attracting and supporting innovators from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
This esteemed grant was used to facilitate the initial development of this capability and support the creation of a minimal viable product (MVP) through a series of key actions, including engaging a technology delivery partner (TDP) and partnering with mental health and wellbeing subject matter experts (SMEs).
In 2024, Aerial Icon secured an additional £4,000 funding through the Arise Beyond Open Innovation for Value and Entrepreneurship (ABOVE), a collaborative programme delivered in partnership with Medilink Midlands and Arise Innovation Hubs, part of Anglia Ruskin University, funded by Essex County Council.
The impact
The Innovation Support Grant (ISG) has contributed towards a highly significant impact on both Aerial Icon and Essex.
- This funding has facilitated the development of a unique product by an Essex-based business, positioned for global exportation. This accomplishment will not only spotlight Essex but also bolster its standing in supporting local businesses and contributing to the growth of the UK economy. Approximately 1 in 6 adults experience common mental health issues in the UK, and the expected introduction of the VR therapy product offers an affordable alternative to traditional remedies. Securing the ISG has empowered collaboration with Essex businesses and academics on an Innovate UK R&D project that will begin in October 2024. This will be instrumental in unlocking additional research funding opportunities.
- Supported the business to be located within Essex – The ISG has offered the necessary funding and support to execute the project from the ARU Innovation Hub in Chelmsford, Essex. This grant has opened additional possibilities, including acquiring physical office space within the Hub, utilising meeting rooms, and collaborative workspaces essential for collaboration with Essex-based stakeholders involved in the project.
- Created collaborative R&D projects – The advancement of the project has supported additional R&D projects in the near term, paving the way for more extensive initiatives like Knowledge Transfer Partnerships with Innovate UK and ARU. These endeavours aim to conduct ground-breaking studies in the focused area of mental health.
- Unlocked additional research and innovation funds – This ISG-backed project unlocked further research opportunities and innovation funds, specifically through a research grant obtained from Innovate UK. These resources aim to enhance project outcomes, opening avenues for increased government-backed funding in the future.
- Create and secure more jobs in Essex – The project is anticipated to generate job opportunities in Essex by fostering the growth of Aerial Icon. Offering internships to ARU students enhances skill development and the potential for future employment in the region. Additionally, collaboration with Essex businesses, academics, and potential R&D initiatives is expected to contribute to an expanded workforce.
More recently, as an ARISE Innovation Hub (ARU) tenant and established relationship with Medilink Midlands, Aerial Icon was introduced to the ‘Ambitious Essex Innovation Accelerator programme’. A funded initiative by Essex County Council, delivered in partnership with Medilink Midlands, aimed to prepare Essex based innovators, with a vision for a business that can make a difference.
Next steps
Next step for Aerial Icon is to use a prototype we have been developing to get initial customer feedback. With that feedback we will optimise and reiterate our product and make sure it is delivering the most effective type of therapy and treating these disorders that we are targeting.
Medilink Midlands’ role
Ekene was introduced to Medilink Midlands through Anglia Ruskin University, which Innovate UK directed him to. The support from these organisations enabled the development of the Aerial 360 Solutions (A3S) prototype, which will be the foundation of the final product.
Product development would have been significantly more difficult without the support of Medilink Midlands and ARU. Without their support, the development timeline would have been extended, increasing the risk of competitors entering the market. Delayed development may have also led to missed funding opportunities.
The bigger picture
The A3S product is predicted to tackle some of the most prevalent mental disorders in the UK. A successful launch will provide the life sciences ecosystem with an affordable alternative solution to traditional talking therapies that are prohibitively expensive and difficult to access.