nir-vana innovation network

The UK company was founded in 2008 and has developed a digital platform which creates single player and multi-player simulations and can capture the “people” side of business. Its simulations enable learners to build skills and practice leadership in a fun but risk-free environment. Its simulations are used in training and onboarding programmes and, in a hybrid or virtual world, to provide an energising collaborative yet competitive team experience which improves engagement and cooperation in companies.

The company was formed by bringing together a team of people with experience in creating serious games, multi-dimensional modelling (including the modelling of human behaviour) and expertise from professors from leading international business schools.

The company has a growing portfolio of simulations available off-the-shelf which cover four main domains:
• leadership (including change leadership and strategy Execution);
• management (including stakeholder and intercultural management);
• finance and business acumen; and
• complex sales.

Delivered virtually or face-to-face, they can be used to draw out additional learning in areas such as collaboration, working in and managing virtual teams, and decision-making under pressure.

Simulations are typically run by small groups of 3-4 people with each group playing the role of one person facing the simulated case challenge. There can be any number of groups and results are compared at the end during the debrief. Some simulations are run with individual participants (or teams) playing separate roles and needing to collaborate, compete or negotiate with others to achieve results.

The company also create bespoke simulations, which it has done for organisations such as BNP Paribas, Korn Ferry, London Business School and Texas A&M.

The simulation content, teaching inputs and session structure can all be customised to meet specific client requirements.

Most of the products are currently only available in English, but other language versions are straightforward to create. Some simulations are already available in Mandarin and Korean.
The company are seeking partners under licensing agreement where they license out the technology to partners or alternatively under commercial agreements with technical assistance where they would provide expertise in development.

Advantages & innovations

The simulations are robust, easy to use and simple to learn to run. They provide online, in-depth reports in real time on the actions taken and results achieved by each user or group. Many simulations include simulated characters, with realistic human personalities, who have personalities replicating characteristics of emotional and social intelligence as well as rational thinking. This provides a more realistic practice ground for managers and leaders. The company has been developing and delivering simulations since 2008. It has experience of working in over 85 international markets and has some partners in several European and Asian markets which demonstrates how effective their online delivery is versus competitor products on the market. The software is extremely flexible, enabling agile bespoke customisation to address individual customer objectives.

Stage of development

Already on the market

Partner sought

Typical partners are likely to be recognised training and leadership development companies in their local market who the company is looking to work with under a licensing or commercial agreements with technical assistance. These companies may either deliver the programmes solely virtually or online or a mix of face to face facilitation and online simulation that is reviewed at the end of each session.