Dr Nalda Wainwright, an Associate Professor at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and founder of MiniMovers Ltd, is internationally recognised for her work in early childhood physical development and outdoor learning. Her research has been published and presented globally, focusing on supporting professionals in fostering children’s physical development.
In December 2023, Dr Wainwright approached Agor Innovation at Swansea University with queries regarding Intellectual Property (IP) related to the development of a new app designed to expand MiniMovers. Although she had a foundational understanding of IP, detailed discussions were necessary to cover aspects such as copyright protection and contract development. The full Agor team attended the initial scoping meeting to provide comprehensive guidance on these topics.
Marketing support was also identified as a key need for MiniMovers. Recognising the business’s funding constraints, the Agor team proposed a solution involving a marketing student placement. By June 2024, a Swansea University student had joined MiniMovers to assist with marketing efforts, particularly for events such as the Urdd Eisteddfod and the Royal Welsh Show.
As a result of this collaboration, MiniMovers has gained a clearer understanding of how to integrate Intellectual Property considerations into contracts before outsourcing work. The business has also joined a network offering student placements, ensuring ongoing support from future cohorts. Dr Wainwright remains in contact with Agor for further collaboration and opportunities.
Dr Nalda Wainwright highlighted the positive impact of the partnership, stating, “Ellie has been a great addition to the business this summer and I hope she has benefitted from the experience. We would love to have a student in the future if we are able to offer them a good work placement.”
Hafwen Lewis, Open Innovation Officer at Agor Innovation, reflected on the collaboration: “Dr. Nalda Wainwright demonstrated a strong willingness to engage with support and deepen her understanding of the Intellectual Property (IP) generated both by herself and any contracted collaborators. Through discussions on the steps already undertaken and future strategic plans, we were able to provide guidance to ensure that IP ownership was clearly assigned, facilitating fair royalty distribution for all contributors.
During our initial scoping meeting, it became evident that MiniMovers’ marketing efforts could be enhanced. As a result, we successfully placed a student with MiniMovers to provide targeted support in this area. Dr. Wainwright, an Associate Professor at another Higher Education Institution (HEI) and the Director of MiniMovers, fostered a highly productive collaboration between the company and the student, leading to significant outcomes for both parties. It has been a pleasure working with MiniMovers, and we look forward to supporting their future endeavours.”
This collaboration showcases how strategic partnerships between academia and industry within the National Network for Innovation in Sport and Health can drive innovation, enhance business growth, and provide valuable experiential learning opportunities for students.
