Cambridge Wireless is looking for SMEs working on Internet of Things projects in the fields of health and social care to submit ideas that will lead to a programme of incubation support and mentoring for four successful applicants.
The initiative is part of the IoTUK national programme and is being delivered through a series of partner organisations through IoTUK Boost activities. Cambridge Wireless has been chosen to deliver the IoTUK Boost programme in the South of England.
Companies have until 11 January 2016 to submit applications in the area of health and social care. Cambridge Wireless is keen to identify new ideas, products or services for assisted living, managing and monitoring long term conditions, telehealth and telecare. These may be indoor solutions for use in hospitals and the connected home or on-the-move solutions related to smart cities, smart transport, environmental monitoring or location tracking.
To apply, organisations must have less than 250 employees and a turnover no greater than €50 million (£36.3 million).
Up to 20 successful applicants will be selected to take part in two intensive one-day workshops. For the second of these workshops, the SMEs will be stationed at either the Surrey Technology Centre in Guilford – where the emphasis will be on ‘beyond the home’ technologies – or at the Watershed in Bristol, where the focus will switch to ‘in the home’ technologies.
Here they will pitch their business propositions and receive specialist guidance and practical advice to assist in the acceleration of their product or service from idea stage to a robust and fundamental proposition.
The 20 applicants will also receive one-year Associate Membership with CW and one-month virtual membership with SETSquared, allowing them to tap into both organisations network of investors and industry specialists.
A shortlist of four will receive a month’s incubation support and mentoring as well as upgraded CW and SETSquared memberships.
This includes the opportunity to be part of the Digital Catapult Contributor programme with access to hot-desking and meeting space across their centres, eight hours of support from IoTUK consultants, allocation of a physical exhibition space in the Digital Catapult Centre, creation of a promotional video showcase, a profile and interview on the IoTUK website and invitation to a networking event for IoTUK Boost winners, VCs and press. In addition, Cambridge Wireless is offering an exhibition space at next year’s Future of Wireless International Conference.
CW CEO Robert Driver told Internet of Business: “The benefits of IoT technology in health and social care are vast and varied, however often the most significant barriers to adoption are from the health and social care systems themselves. Nevertheless, IoT holds the promise of empowering citizens, allowing them to take ownership of their health as well as considerably reducing unnecessary patient visits and subsequent costs through connected homecare solutions.
“SMEs entering IoTUK Boost have the unique opportunity to take advantage of incubation support from the SETSquared in Bristol, IoTUK and CW (Cambridge Wireless), gaining access to all three organisation’s network of investors, mentors and IoT specialists, as well as exposure through their substantial marketing channels”
Confirmed partners assisting with CW’s delivery of the IotUK Boost Programme South England are IotUK, SETsquared Partnership at the University of Bristol with Watershed and the 5G Innovation Centre at the University of Surrey. More partners to be announced shortly. For full details and the entry form please visit: http://www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/iotboost/