Technology companies and businesses developing tech-related R&D projects have just one week left to secure £50,000 worth of support for their business by applying to join Cohort 5 at technology accelerator BetaDen.
BetaDen, which is based in Malvern, Worcestershire, is the only tech accelerator in the country to offer a 5G test and evaluation package delivered by Industrial Internet of Things specialists nexGworx as part of its programme.
Linda Smith, founder and CEO of BetaDen, said: “Since we launched BetaDen three years ago, we’ve supported nearly 30 early-stage technology businesses to accelerate their routes to market. Recent cohort members have secured contracts with leading organisations including HS2, the NHS, Royal Mail and Network Rail, as well as financial investment and industry awards.
“Our partnership with nexGworx means cohort members not only benefit from proof of concept funding, specialist mentoring and free office space to develop their ideas, but also an unrivalled ability to test and develop next-generation tech using the county’s 5G testbed.
“This means cohort members have practical access to the same infrastructure that is set to revolutionise our factories, cities, environmental and health care sectors, among others. It also gives them access to the very engineers and sector experts already working at the cutting edge of the sector. This ensures their technologies are shaped with an inherent understanding of the security, networking and environmental issues involved in using 5G-enabled technologies, allowing them to grow market share and build value more quickly than their competitors.”
Current cohort members already benefiting from 5G testbed access include JET Engineering, which has developed the world’s first 5G at Sea buoys to enable connected communications in maritime environments; FloWide UK, which is creating location tracking software set to be installed at MAKE UK’s Technology Hub in Aston; connected transport specialist Conigital; and security experts Prizsm, who have developed a quantum-ready cloud storage solution that proved impenetrable during a recent international ethical hacking trial.
Linda continued: “We continue to be inspired by our cohort members and excited by the technologies they are successfully bringing to market. One of the joys of the programme is seeing how BetaDen alumni, within and across the cohorts, are increasingly supporting each other and working together to build alliances that improve their products, as well as helping each other through introductions and collaborations.
“If the last 18 months have proved anything, it is that there is a huge market for connected technology and that that technology can be developed anywhere in the country. I’d urge early-stage businesses and established companies seeking support to get their 5G-related R&D programmes off the ground to seize this opportunity. Applications close on 30 November. Could 2022 be the year your technology business takes flight?”
For further details, visit www.beta-den.com/apply-now