- Recruitment for Cohort 2.0 will be launched today (March 4th), starting August 2019 from BetaDen’s base in Malvern Hills Science Park, Worcestershire
- First-of-its-kind, commercial tech accelerator programme is open to entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs from across the region
BetaDen, Worcestershire’s first dynamic and ground-breaking commercial tech accelerator is now recruiting for Cohort 2.0, a unique programme dedicated to entrepreneurs and technology businesses in developing new concepts and product solutions co-located with the region’s 5G Testbed project team.
This will be the second cohort to be launched by BetaDen. Cohort 1.0 went live as a nine-month programme in October 2018, and currently has six entrepreneurs in residence developing a range of next-generation technology solutions, including AI, VR, Blockchain, IOT, Cyber and Machine Learning.
Members include Sidaway, pioneers of machine learning technology, and Syndial, innovators in superfast blockchain for secure transactions on the future internet. Syndial’s founder Dr David Lowe says: “I am so pleased we were given the opportunity to grow Syndial as part of the BetaDen experience, rather than other conventional tech accelerators. The BetaDen model provides a superior balance offering a team of active mentors with broad and applicable skills mix, a networking framework with regional and national enterprise partners, and motivational support and guidance from the BetaDen team itself.’
Cohort 2.0 will launch with a ten-week recruitment campaign from today (March 4th). It will offer up to ten places to techpreneurs, SMEs or scale-ups, intensive support to help design and build their idea and prepare it for market launch or be positioned for investment.
The unique package Cohort 2.0 members will be offered includes their own office space at the BetaDen Hub at Malvern Hills Science Park as part of the three-day per week programme, and access to a comprehensive range of support:
- Industry-leading technologists
- Business mentors for techpreneurs
- Events and workshops
- Investment coaching
- Proof of concept grant funding*
- Commercial meetings offering genuine routes to market
- Marketing funding
Linda Smith, Founder and CEO of BetaDen said: “We want to build on both the success of Cohort 1.0 and the growing business development opportunities in technology that Worcestershire has to offer. The area has the expertise and momentum to be the home of future leading tech businesses for years to come, and the recruitment drive for Cohort 2.0 is a perfect example of this innovation investment.
“We want to build the region’s reputation as a location for bringing encouraging tech ideas to commercial reality, in the rapidly-developing location, and look forward to the new, innovative applications we will see for Cohort 2.0”.
BetaDen’s launch, funded by the Worcestershire LEP with support from leading local technology businesses, runs parallel to the development of the 5G industry 4.0 Testbed following the Government’s £4.8 million project funding to Worcestershire in April last year.
Applications will close on April 30 2019. Those interested will need to apply here www.Beta-Den/Apply to complete an online form. The WLEP and delivery partners will then be shortlisting businesses to progress applications, before selecting the final cohort.
To find out more and apply, visit www.Beta-Den.com or contact the team on 01905 672700 or info@beta-den.com.
*Proof of concept grant funding approximate value is £15,000, subject to eligibility.