Tech accelerator announces industry partnership with Steatite
Worcestershire’s commercial technology accelerator based at Malvern Hills Science Park, BetaDen, is offering a package worth around £50,000 to develop and commercialise new technology, including for aerospace, defence and security applications.
Above:
Linda Smith, founder and CEO of BetaDen.
Courtesy BetaDen
Early-stage technology businesses and established businesses looking to bring new technology-led innovations to market have until 18 December to apply to join the nine-month accelerator in March 2021, where they will enjoy 30 hours access to Worcestershire’s 5G testbed, guidance from industry partner Steatite (if required), a £10,000 proof of concept grant, mentoring from BetaDen’s handpicked team of commercial and technology experts and office space in Malvern Hills Science Park.
Linda Smith, founder and CEO of BetaDen, said: “BetaDen recently celebrated its second birthday and, to date, has supported 22 early stage technology businesses, helping them develop successful routes to market, secure hundreds of thousands of pounds of investment and create news jobs.
“Building on that experience, we have honed the programme for Cohort 4, focusing even more on our unique access to Worcestershire’s 5G test bed and making ever greater use of our industry networks.
“In Steatite, we’re delighted to welcome an industry partner who can offer cohort members the benefit of their unrivalled experience and connections in the field of high-value add manufacturing, in particular computing, secure communication systems and antennas. Its expertise will be invaluable to Cohort members looking to develop their technologies in these areas.”
BetaDen is unique in the technology sector, both in terms of the value of the support package it provides and the fact that cohort businesses do not need to surrender equity in their businesses to access to the accelerator. As well as providing support to early-stage businesses, it also creates opportunities for established businesses to develop technology-based ideas within the accelerator, effectively supporting in-house R&D activity.
Linda continued: “As we open applications for cohort 4, we are focusing our attention on companies developing new and emerging technologies in five key areas: 5G, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and Robotics for applications across a wide range of industries, including aerospace, defence and security.
“Companies interested in applying can visit https://www.beta-den.com/apply-now/ for further information and must submit their application by Friday 18 December. Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview with our advisory board in early 2021, with successful applicants joining Cohort 4 in March 2021.”
