The one-year Memorandum of Understanding will see Coventry University’s Incubator Programme specialists in technical, business and enterprise, made available to BetaDen’s cohort of businesses.
The university will also open up access to its research and venture capital network, helping BetaDen firms to engage innovative cyber and 5G technologies source funding and find routes to market.
In this partnership, BetaDen – launched earlier this year with ambitions to support the launch of 100 tech start ups by 2021 from its base in Worcestershire – will open up opportunities for Coventry University’s students and staff to apply to be part of its future cohorts.
Created to take advantage of the roll-out of 5G across the West Midlands and build on the region’s strengths in cyber and technology, the partnership will see both parties working together to support start-ups and established firms to accelerate their development and growth in the Midlands.
Brian More, IP commercialisation director at Coventry University, said:
“This Memorandum of Understanding is yet another example of how positive collaboration between organisations is allowing the West Midlands to capitalise on the opportunities presented in high-growth sectors such as 5G, cyber security and communications technology.
“We see this agreement with BetaDen as a unique way to support existing and future firms at the cutting edge of these technologies. By exchanging resources and playing on each other’s strengths, we look forward to helping those already involved with the BetaDen programme continue on an upward trajectory, as well as encouraging more from our University to explore and grow ideas through the accelerator in future.”
The news comes as the inaugural BetaDen cohort enters the third stage of its nine-month incubator programme, launched earlier this year and funded by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP).
Linda Smith, CEO at BetaDen, said:
“The BetaDen programme has been designed to help businesses from across the Midlands to take full advantage of the opportunities emerging in the 5G, cyber security and technology landscapes. From cyber security to medtech, machine learning to gaming, the current cohort businesses are developing next-generation technologies that have real commercial potential.
“This partnership with Coventry University marks an important stage in the programme’s evolution, not only giving our cohort access to leading specialists, but also vital research and finance. We are looking forward to opening up opportunities for enterprising staff and students at the University via our programme in the future.”