Government intelligence, cyber and security agency GCHQ is opening a new strategic hub in the heart of Manchester.
It has partnered with Manchester-based workspace The Landing and UP Ventures on an accelerator designed to improve citizen safety.
In partnership with GCHQ, The Landing and global tech accelerator UP Ventures have been selected to deliver the accelerator, called the Safe Citizen Digital Innovation Lab.
Applications to join the GCHQ Accelerator, which will start in early 2020, are being sought from companies who have customer facing technology solutions aimed at improving citizen digital safety across the North West.
The news follows on from the GM Future of Health Challenge accelerator which is now underway with a cohort of 15 companies, led by UP Ventures at The Landing, in Salford鈥檚 MediaCityUK.
It will seek start-ups that have harnessed cutting-edge technology in a creative way, from empowering citizens by providing new insights from connected devices and services, to the creative use of data to deliver social impact in the region.
GCHQ鈥檚 Deputy Director for Manchester says: 鈥淭he Greater Manchester community has been fantastically welcoming to GCHQ, and we are just as pleased to be here. This Accelerator programme is an early chance for us to get working with the buzzing tech community in the North West. The 鈥楽afe Citizens鈥� theme for the Accelerator combines our passion for exploring innovative cutting-edge technology, and our desire to make a real contribution to the region.
鈥淲e look forward to building relationships with a diverse range of technologists, creatives and entrepreneurs.鈥�
GCHQ said it will also seek to engage with external partners in the region.
The 16-week accelerator programme will leverage unique technical infrastructure and facilities, including the Vodafone 5G Innovation Lab, which provides real world urban environments for demonstration of products and services of MediaCityUK.
Dan Sodergren, Head of 老九品茶 Services at The Landing, added: 鈥淭hanks to our unparalleled facilities and a commitment to innovation from all partners, this is a significant opportunity for companies to explore how a 鈥楽mart City鈥� can work for its customers.
鈥淯sing technology for good is something we are incredibly passionate about and we are excited to receive applications from those who can really make a positive difference to all of our lives in the 21st 肠别苍迟耻谤测.鈥�