App helps students pick sporting-life university
ACARDIFF Metropolitan University graduate has created an app aimed at athletic students.
Tim Parker’s app, Sportfolio, will allow prospective students to see what sports programmes different universities across the country offer alongside their degree courses.
The 24-year-old believes the business will help connect students with athletic aspirations to sporting opportunities at universities.
As a keen footballer who has competed in the Welsh Premier League and Europa League while at university, playing sports was fundamental to Mr Parker’s university experience. Knowing it would be the same for fellow students, Mr Parker launched Sportfolio as a platform for prospective students to help them make their decision on which university to choose.
Mr Parker, who is originally from Bristol, started his business with the help of Big Ideas Wales, part of Business Wales and part-funded by the European Regional Development
Fund through the Welsh Government. The service is aimed at anyone between the ages of five and 25 who wants to develop a business idea.
Sportfolio, which will also have a web platform, allows universities to market their sports programmes and clubs. At the same time, current or prospective students can set up a “sportfolio” to market themselves to universities and explore the different opportunities available.
Mr Parker’s is just one of thousands of businesses in Wales that have been affected in some way by the coronavirus pandemic. When universities closed, he was concerned about the impact this would have on the business.
Mr Parker said: “At first I was worried, but I believe Sportfolio will be able to help even more people. Many sports teams now have limited funds, resulting in lots of athletes unable to receive further contracts or scholarships.
“Many of these athletes are now unsure of their next steps, which is where Sportfolio can help as it allows them to compete in sports at a high level alongside attaining a degree.
“With an increase in university fees in the last decade, students want to know they are going to get a rewarding and rounded experience at university, which for many, alongside their course, means joining sports clubs or societies.
“Market research has shown that university sport is under-promoted and students are unaware of the opportunities available within sports at university. Sportfolio would help to bridge that gap for future students while offering universities a chance to market their varied sports programmes.”
Mr Parker is speaking to universities and colleges across the UK, with several already on board to join the Sportfolio platform. He previously attended a University UK event at Emirates Stadium to showcase his business and had more than 300 students sign up to join Sportfolio in only two hours.
Mr Parker continued: “It’s really exciting and encouraging to see how many students and universities are interested in the app so far. There are a lot of hurdles and challenges when starting a business, especially as a young person, but that’s what makes the support of Big Ideas Wales so valuable.
“You have regular meetings with a business advisor, which makes you feel like you’re not alone. They have helped me fine-tune my idea, develop my business plan and write to universities to gauge their interest.”
Mr Parker found out about Big Ideas Wales through the enterprise service at Cardiff Met University.
He has recently secured investment from the newly launched tech incubator and accelerator Aureus Ventures and has his sights set on taking the platform global.
Mark Adams, Big Ideas Wales business advisor, said: “Tim has a great business idea and is working hard to make it a success.”