We’re excited to highlight Make Real in this edition of our supporter spotlight series. This UK-based immersive learning studio is renowned for its innovative and award-winning solutions. Discover how Make Real uses advanced technologies to create impactful learning experiences tailored to diverse client needs. Let’s go!
Tell us a bit about your company…
We’re one of the UK’s leading immersive learning studios. We provide consultation services alongside the design, development and deployment of award-winning learning experiences. By being platform, technology, and sector agnostic, we created ground-breaking learning solutions in anything from VR and AR to mobile and desktop, based on the learning need.
What problem do you solve or what difference do you make for your clients?
We help clients with complex learning problems, who know they need to innovate, but aren’t sure where to start. We help them to navigate the latest technology and solutions to make sure these add value, and that technology isn’t used for its own sake. Everything we create is bespoke, carefully tailored to the client’s learning objectives and their audience’s needs.
How would you describe the culture within the business, and how does this contribute to its success?
We’re a small but dynamic and mighty team, a close-knit group of colleagues and friends who uplift each other. What’s really key is the way the senior management values input from every member of the team, new and old, recognising that diversity brings excellence.
Transparency is at the core of our culture, whether dealing with clients or within our team. Our mission is to inspire, motivate, and empower individuals to thrive both personally and professionally. We take pride in our honest approach. By being problem-focused and solution driven, we’ve fostered many lasting partnerships with world-leading organisations.
How do you invest in the development and well-being of your employees? What makes your company a great place to work?
Without employees, there would be no business. So, staff happiness is not only compassionate, but fundamental to the overall success of the company. We are passionate about wellbeing, which includes regular one-on-one check-ins with our mental health champion and readily available counselling sessions.
We operate, promote, and embrace flexible working conditions, so it’s super important to us to help build connections among the team. We organise frequent social and team-building activities both during and outside of core working hours to foster a stress-free and relaxed team. Additionally, working from a dog-friendly office space at Plus X adds an extra touch of joy within the workplace!
What are the top achievements and successes you’re most proud of?
We’re really proud of our award wins over the years, most recently a Learning Technologies Gold Award and Bett Award for our work with the Institution of Civil Engineers – we created a game to educate young people about civil engineering careers which has now been played by over 3000 students!
We’re also very proud of our work on topics like equity, diversity, inclusion, as well as mental health and wellbeing. It’s really important to us that we create solutions that use technology for good.
Is there any other work you’re doing in the community that you’d like to share?
We have supported several local charities that support adults with learning disabilities, organisations dedicated to nurturing talent in the gaming and immersive industry, as well as those helping the homeless. We host also local work experience students, contributing to their skill development pathways.
Are there any upcoming projects, goals or ambitions that you are particularly excited about?
We’re really excited about expanding our work on using artificial intelligence to personalise learning experiences, helping learners to practise tough conversations. We’ve deployed this in a project with hopefully more on the horizon. We’re also looking forward to implementing mixed reality in our solutions, as headsets continue to become more sophisticated.
When did you first come across Silicon Brighton? What’s the relationship and how do you benefit?
After a coffee with the Co-founder, Grace Prior, we soon saw the benefits that Silicon Brighton could bring to our company. It’s wonderful to be a part of the local tech community and the access to networking events, together with the ability to chat to like-minded people within the community. It is fantastic!
Considering your involvement in Silicon Brighton and community-building, what does the concept of ‘community’ mean to you? How important is it for the tech industry?
At Make Real we’re very much about building partnerships, they’re key to us as a small studio. Whether it’s with our client partners, or those we work with to deliver our learning experiences, or others in the industry to share ideas with, we really value connecting with each other (so if you’d like to connect with us, please do)!
A vibrant and engaged community such as Silicon Brighton can fuel innovation, drive industry growth and can serve as a hub for networking and provide opportunities for training and development. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, communities can exchange ideas, new technologies and solutions.
Anything else you would like to promote to our community? (Hiring, socials, website)
Our website is www.makereal.co.uk and you can follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @ MakeRealLtd. We’re based at PlusX offices i Brighton, and are always happy to chat with those looking to learn more about adding value to learning and development!
Want to become a Silicon Brighton Supporter? Sign up using this link or contact grace@siliconbrighton.com