Ground-breaking technology partnership set to kick start digital revolution in North West manufacturing industry

The Landing and IN4.0 will work together over the next two years on several new projects that will support and educate industrial SME’s and start-ups across the North West who want to make better use of disruptive technologies to grow their businesses.

A brand-new Accelerator programme, ‘Access’, designed to help manufacturing businesses start, scale and succeed in industry 4.0 will be launched to an audience of industry experts at BAE Systems Academy near Preston on Monday (28 January). Access will be run from The Landing, which will also become the new headquarters of the IN4.0 Group. The Group is also bringing Beaden Capital and DiceyTech Ltd to The Landing.

The intensive three-month programme, starting next month, is accessible to business from across the region through its three hubs, The Landing in Salford, Sensor City in Liverpool and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) in Preston.

Access has been designed through IN4.0’s joint venture with UCLAN and is also supported by BAE Systems and NatWest. The programme will run multiple times across the region and will incorporate seven physical events, including disruptive leadership and technology innovation workshops.

An international cohort of SME’s will also join the accelerator programme allowing SME’s from the UK to develop overseas partnerships and access new investment opportunities.

IN4.0 Group also plans to run it’s IN4.0 Education Community Interest Company (CIC) from The Landing.  The Social Enterprise operates the DEVA Network, a programme designed to create the next generation of digital entrepreneurs. DEVA (Digital Entrepreneurs Video Artists) Mentors will empower young people in local schools and colleges to use digital technologies positively and aims to create employable people integral to the digital and creative industries of the 21^st century. Many of the DEVA Mentors will be entrepreneurs and creatives based at The Landing.

Paul Billington, managing director at The Landing said: “We are really excited about this partnership with IN4.0 as it will support and influence an industry which is at the heart of our heritage in the North West, marrying 21^st century digital innovation with the British manufacturing industry.

“Working with IN4.0 will bring together the high-tech testing labs and facilities available here at The Landing with the regional reach and digital expertise in manufacturing provided by IN4.0 and we are really looking forward to welcoming our first cohort on the new Access accelerator.”

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4.0 PLC said: “We are incredibly excited to be headquartered at the Landing. We have been working with them for over a year to forge this ground-breaking and game-changing partnership. Not only is The Landing the best digital technology hub in the country, it has the best team with a leadership that understand the capital of collaboration.

“The next industrial revolution has well and truly arrived, our operations at The Landing will provide manufacturing start-ups and scale ups with access to innovation, talent and capital to succeed.”

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