Worcestershire technology accelerator BetaDen has announced the new cohort of companies, dubbed Cohort 5, to join the programme in March, along with a new Entrepreneur in Residence.
The diverse group of founders joining Cohort 5 are developing technologies ranging from software designed to help people manage their mental health, indoor purification systems, a virtual careers thinking and planning space, and artificial-intelligence driven laser surface processing to low-carbon 3D construction printing, low-latency remote broadcasting technology and smart locker systems. They are:
- A-M8 – software designed to empower mobile users to better understand and manage their won mental health, recognising when changes may indicate a mental-health decline
Bright Beams – fully-integrated, digitised and Artificial Intelligence-enabled laser surface processing system for metallic and ceramic-metallic composite materials - Change Maker 3D – low-carbon 3D printing for the construction industry
- Equal Vision – web-based, playful virtual careers thinking and planning space for young people
- Malvern Air Ltd – indoor air purification, enabling pathogen removal to levels previously thought impossible
- Remote Controllers – low-latency remote control of broadcast technology
- Secure Socialising – crime-reducing keyless smart locker system for spaces where people meet and socialise
Linda Smith, founder and CEO of BetaDen, said: “We are excited by the range of companies joining Cohort 5 and the potential their innovations offer to improve the ways certain industries work and also to change people’s lives for the better.
“Since the programme launched almost four years ago, our cohort members have enjoyed some remarkable achievements, securing contracts with industry-leaders such as HS2, the NHS and Network Rail and delivering a series of world firsts, including the first self-powered floating 5G buoy, which provided sea-state safety monitoring off the Dorset coast, and the first medical airbridge from the British mainland.
“These successes are now translating into strong investable entities and demonstrate how game-changing technologies can be developed right here in Worcestershire, with the right advice, peer support and access to industry and venture capital networks.”
As well as welcoming seven new members to the accelerator, BetaDen has also confirmed that Cohort 4 graduate Prizsm Technologies, which has developed a quantum-resistant, hyper-secure data storage and communications solution, will join DronePrep as BetaDen’s Entrepreneurs in Residence in Malvern.
Ian Drury, co-founder of Prizsm, said: “BetaDen has played a formative role in the development of our technology, supporting us to crystallise our commercial offer and helping us develop the contacts and partnerships we needed to test and prove our solution. We’re excited to continue our relationship with BetaDen and play our own part supporting the next cohort of technology entrepreneurs in the county, drawing on our own experiences of the programme and commercialising our own technology to help them achieve their goals.”
BetaDen provides early-stage technology businesses with a nine-month programme of support worth around £50,000, enabling them to build connections, collaborate with cohort members, plan their route to market and prepare for investment. The programme includes access to Worcestershire’s 5G test bed, a proof-of-concept grant, mentoring from a handpicked team of commercial and technology experts and office space in Malvern Hills Science Park. Applications to join Cohort 6 will open in Autumn 2022. For further details and to register your interest, visit www.beta-den.com
