PLYT
Contestant information
Business name:
PLYT
Name:
Ian McCartney
Business website:
Twitter:
Facebook:
LinkedIn:
Elevator Pitch
Elevator Pitch:
PLYT: (Adults + Children) x Competitive Challenging Fun = improved numeracy for all ages and abilities
Detailed elevator pitch:
My name is Ian McCartney and together with my wife Lisa, we founded PLYT. A few years ago with 2 young children we developed a numeracy board game that would be challenging fun for us all. Before long our numeracy improved and the children's school asked to see it - and they loved it. So in 2013 we decided to produce. April '14 research showed that over just 6 wks (=6 games), 7-13 yrs improved by 36% and adults by 19% & 100% of those playing at least once a week believed their confidence with numbers had improved, standing them in good stead for the future. PLYT is unique because all ages and abilities can compete together and we believe it can make a big difference to people's lives.
Industry sector:
Consumer Products and FMCG
Business Plan
Your USP:
Manchester Grammar School said “PLYT challenges and supports. It is so versatile and you can use it at all levels". Educational games are aimed at single levels of ability and are quickly outgrown, but the beauty of PLYT is that all ages and abilities can compete together, you can add more dice as players, young or old, grow in confidence and it can last a lifetime. Children love competing, especially with their parents, who can act as great "roll" models by really challenging themselves. Parents love boosting their mental sharpness whilst watching their children improve. Schools love it because the children play without realising they’re learning. The more you play the better you get!
Your market:
Education: Globally there are 2bn under 14's, many benefitting from an education spend over $4.5tn (7% cagr) with e-learning at $100bn (23% cagr). There are 4.5m UK primary school children, with 750,000 receiving private maths tuition every year. Need: Continual news on falling maths standards in children (UK 28th on Pisa) prompted a new curriculum requiring times tables to be learnt by aged 9. National Numeracy Challenge was created to help 17m adults at 11yr old level. NAHT is advising parents to “Play board games together as a family" to aid concentration. Games: Board games renaissance with growing market (£300m UK - $2bn worldwide) as families look to enjoy some face to face time.
Your people:
Ian & Lisa McCartney are parents of 2 children and the whole family love competitive games Ian gained a BSc from Warwick University and works in Supply Chain Management. He is a Supply Chain Director for a major food retailer, overseeing operations across the CEEMA whilst sitting on the Board for businesses in Russia and Turkey. Lisa gained a BA from Sheffield University and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Touche Ross before taking up management positions with Kellogg’s, Littlewoods and AstraZeneca. The couple set up and managed a small sandwich business several years ago which they sold when their first child was born. More recently Lisa has been a stay at home mum.
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