SpinMe Studio automates the manually intensive processes required to produce seamless 360° product and video photography, enabling ‘spin and rotate’ virtual product views. Starting at a mainstream photographic studio they had successfully repositioned and redeveloped their entire proposition to target the rapidly expanding e-commerce market.
Developing and testing the 360° photography proposition posed a number of challenges as SpinMe sought to create a simple and highly automated process; one that worked effectively for a huge range of potential products, as well as shoots involving professional models.
The solution was a smart amalgamation of camera, lighting and robotics hardware combined with software processes and applications. Through a unique way of integrating different factors, they deliver a refined and automated process with class-leading professional results. To take a selection of non-integrated hardware and firmware and to build a fully integrated automated solution, with its own unique algorithms, required a very significant investment of skilled time, testing and capital expenditure.
SpinMe’s directors had heard of the HMRC R&D tax credit scheme but even though they were overcoming complex hardware and technological challenges on a daily basis, they did not fully appreciate that there were undertaking ‘R&D’ that was eligible for a corporation tax rebate. There was also a concern that the rebate was given on an arbitrary basis – similar to a grant - and that applying was a speculative exercise.
After initial high-level analysis our team of consultants and technical advisors were able to quickly identify that a claim would be successful.
We took SpinMe through a thorough and rapid-fire assessment and technical report writing process and submitted the claim on their behalf. Within 6 weeks the company had received an HMRC rebate that was more than £100,000. These additional funds were used to support continual refinement processes as SpinMe evolved and upgraded their offer to match ever-advancing technology and the changing needs of their customers.
If you’re a small to medium company in the UK, you could also be claiming back up to £33 on every £100 spent on R&D. The work you do that qualifies for the R&D tax credits scheme — often embedded in the day-to-day running of your business — may surprise you.
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