Ten early-stage start-up companies are set to embark on a six-week accelerator programme specialising in the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G technology.
The Sunderland-based programme will feature healthtech outfit Floki Health, which delivers systems for patient care across the NHS and other providers; smart buildings specialist Krellian which offers services to help maximise space utilisation and reduce energy consumption; and Awaretag, which provides technology to identify damp and mould in properties.
Also among the cohort is cyber-security provider Cystel; healthcare firm Digimonk; IoT innovators Manulytica; sustainable heritage management start-up Roxid; smart city transportation management firm Simplifai; blockchain and Web3 innovators Trigan; and real-time data facilitator, Urban Data Collective.
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The accelerator has been launched by Sunderland City Council in partnership with global communications infrastructure provider BAI Communications (BAI) and tech sector support organisation Sunderland Software City. Its programme includes leading infrastructure with IoT expertise and guidance from internationally renowned organisations, and hopes to feed Sunderland's smart city ambitions.
More than 50 start-ups from around the world applied for the accelerator, which will take no equity from participants and intellectual property will remain in the hands of the teams involved. Mark Gardner, startup growth manager at Sunderland Software City, said: "The teams will take part in a structured series of workshops, mentoring sessions with experts, pitch development and training, as well as benefiting from introductions to influential and valuable networking opportunities.
“The programme culminates in a showcase event to demonstrate the cohort’s progress; we’re very excited to help accelerate the development of this talented group of businesses.”
Naomi Hutchinson, chief innovation officer at Sunderland City Council, said: "We’re proud to be putting digital innovation at the heart of Sunderland’s future. To successfully deliver our ambitious Smart City Plan, we must invest in next generation digital infrastructure and services to help improve the lives of our residents. Partnering with BAI and facilitating a world-class, 5G testbed for start-ups to experiment with their innovations is a prime example of Sunderland’s commitment to being a forward-thinking city.”
Claire Venners, general manager at BAI North, said: "We are delighted to announce the inspiring first cohort joining Sunderland’s IoT and 5G accelerator programme. The programme will not only support the growth of these exciting start-ups but will help accelerate Sunderland’s smart city vision, driving innovative use cases and further demonstrating the value technology can deliver to citizens, businesses and the economy."
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