720402String prototype projectClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKHistoric Futures Limited are recognised experts in supply-chain traceability with world leading technologies and consulting expertise. We make it possible for brands and retailers to visualise their entire supply-chain, from finished product to primary production and to communicate good practice to their customers. Over the last 10 years, Historic Futures (HF) has raised £6M in venture capital funding (Oxford Technology, Bridges Ventures, High Tide) and generated more than £2.5M of revenue from brands and retailers (including Tesco, Walmart, Marks and Spencer, Adidas and many others) to research, develop and commercially test mechanisms to provide systematic visibility into global value chains. We have proven that (a) increased brand owner / retailer visibility into their global, extended value-chains has real Triple Bottom Line value, (TBL is often paraphrased as profit, people and planet), (b) that HF’s unique approach is capable of unlocking that value and (c) that HF’s existing proprietary technology (known as String) is not yet sophisticated enough to operate at the required scale (estimated to be >25,000 globally disperse production sites). This prototype project sets out to extend HF’s existing supply chain traceability technology, which is called String. In particular, it will take the knowledge gained to date from recent M&S and Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) projects, to facilitate the development of an improved technology platform, addressing critical areas of usability and commercial offering. The grant application will provide the funds to accelerate the R&D necessary to make a better product, including engagement with potential clients and end users. The prototype will demonstrate how an impossibly complicated manual task faced, by most brands and retailers today, can be made simple and effective. It will show how organisations and consumers can make informed buying decisions leading to the prospect of better environmental and economic outcomes.