BetaDen, a commercial technology accelerator based alongside one of the country鈥檚 first 5G testbeds in Worcestershire, has opened applications for the fifth cohort of businesses to join the programme.
The accelerator offers early-stage technology businesses a programme of support worth 拢50,000 over nine months to accelerate their route to market. This includes proof of concept grant worth 拢7,500, free office space, specialist business mentoring, and access to a 5G test and evaluation package that is delivered by a team specialising in IoT applications.
As well as supporting entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses, BetaDen also provides a space in which established organisations can develop their tech-related R&D activities.
Linda Smith, founder and CEO of BetaDen, said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e really excited to open applications to join BetaDen Cohort 5.0. Since the first cohort joined the programme three years ago this month, we鈥檝e supported 30 early-stage technology businesses, awarding over 拢750,000 in grant funding and raising over half a million pounds in investment.
鈥淢ost importantly, cohort businesses have secured contracts and delivered pilot projects for a variety of industry-leading organisations, including HS2, the NHS, RoyalMail and NetworkRail, delivering real tech-based solutions for real-world problems and accelerating their route to market.鈥�
This month, Claire Owen, co-founder of DronePrep – a Cohort 3 alumni and now Entrepreneur in Residence at BetaDen – was recognised for her achievements in the tech industry, receiving the Innovator Award at the prestigious Women in Tech Awards.
鈥淏etaDen has played a central role in DronePrep鈥檚 success, giving us access to a network of business mentors and specialist advisors who have helped us hone our offer, prove our concept and make the connections necessary to commercialise our technology,鈥� said Owen.
BetaDen does not take equity in cohort businesses and is not aligned to any individual academic institution or government programme.聽
Recent cohort members have launched a range of technologies; from autonomous vehicle software, 5G at Sea networks and Industry 4.0-enabling technologies to blockchain-based verification and registry services, biometric services, cybersecurity applications, sensor-based construction-site safety systems, and environmental performance monitoring.
For more information about BetaDen and to apply to join Cohort 5, click . Applications close on 30 November 2021 with Cohort 5 businesses expected to join the programme in January 2022.