Here’s your weekly round up of startup competitions, awards, co-working space and accelerator news.
New tech hub in Lancanshire
Edge Hill University is set to unveil the CAVE, an immersive 3D virtual environment, as part of its new £13m technology hub, supported by Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The technology hub will aim to be a key resource for more than 600 students as well as employers across Lancashire, including those in the food manufacturing and digital creative industries.
Mark Allanson, pro vice-chancellor at Edge Hill University, said: “Having this dedicated facility for technology shows the University’s commitment to technological innovation, computing and bioscience and reflects our success in producing employable, highly skilled graduates who contribute to the regional economy and beyond.
“These cutting-edge facilities and systems are an asset for the whole community and will help strengthen our partnerships within business and increase our research capabilities. Our collaboration with Lancashire Enterprise Partnership will help us to focus on regional skills needs.”
“Supporting world-class facilities such as Edge Hill’s Technology Hub will ensure we have a pipeline of graduates with the cutting-edge creative and digital skills needed to help transform Lancashire’s economy and drive growth for years to come.”
LawTech startups
Nextlaw Labs, the legal tech venture launched by law firm Dentons and Seedcamp, have selected Libryo and Clause to receive training, mentorship and investment, as a result of a joint global callout to identify the top legal tech startups.
“We’re delighted to back both Libryo and Clause alongside our partners at Nextlaw Labs,” said Tom Wilson, investment manager at Seedcamp. “We’ve been on the lookout for disruption in the legal tech space and for companies to bring the sector into the 21st century and believe both Libryo and Clause have massive potential to be real market leaders.”
The startups were narrowed down from 80 applicants across five continents.
A new tech group
The team from Girls in Tech UK has launched new women in tech group known as DevelopHer to help bring educational and inspiring events to the London technology community.
DevelopHer will support women in technology through events, networking, mentoring and learning.
Following the mentoring programme last year, which was endorsed by Minister for Internet Safety and Security and former chair of Tech City Baroness Joanna Shields, the DevelopHer team will launch the second programme in early 2017.
Emily Atkinson, managing Director at DevelopHer, said: “ We are excited to launch DevelopHer and continue to support diversity and inclusion in the UK technology community. We are thrilled at the support so far and look forward to hosting more events, programmes and initiatives as part of the growing UK tech space.”
A win for Wealthify
Online investment service Wealthify has been named the UK’s most investable company, at Crowdfest, a crowdfunding industry event.
Richard Theo, CEO and co-founder of Wealthify, commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised as the most investable company. As we enter the final stages of our crowdfunding campaign, it’s encouraging that so many investors share our vision that there is a real need for low cost, accessible, and easy to use investment services, like Wealthify.
“This award is testament to the hard work our team has put in not just over the last six months, but since we started the business more than two years ago,” he added
…. that’s it for this week. See you next Friday!