Three more ICT Innovation Clubs break ground

ICT Innovation Clubs breaking ground
06/09/2007

WORLD-CLASS academics at Birmingham, Aston and UCE universities are channeling their expertise into the region's business community thanks to the launch of three ground-breaking ICT Innovation Clubs – all meeting in the autumn term.

It's hoped the clubs, based on campus, will link up technology businesses, ICT Cluster projects, end users and academics to reach the common goal of encouraging technology innovation in Birmingham.

The University of Birmingham will deliver an Intelligent Energy Monitoring Innovation Club on 20 September. Set up to provide a free and open exchange of knowledge, the club will give local entrepreneurs the ability to source academic expertise close to home.

Padma Reddy from The University of Birmingham added: "Thanks to this ICT Cluster initiative, we can now be the first port of call for businesses that could benefit from our expertise in managing complex information which is held in most companies."

Peter Shearer at Aston University will head up the Medical Technologies Innovation Club. He believes that the scheme is among the most innovative and forward-thinking business initiatives in the country.   "This is an exciting initiative and by working closely with the ICT Cluster we are now on the cusp of engaging with the local business community in a way never seen before."

Finally, UCE completes the trio of Birmingham universities hosting the  ICT Innovation Clubs.  Srikanth Reddy is heading up the Open Source Technologies Innovation Club and believes that: “These new clubs are part of a larger initiative to help create successful technology companies which can operate on a national and global scale.  Initially, the ICT Innovation Clubs will focus on developing products or services that will help to grow the regional technology sector with individual universities playing to their strengths”. 

ICT Cluster Manager, Mike Musson said: "This ICT Innovation Club will unlock the assistance available to SMEs from Birmingham universities and for the first time bring academics and business people from technology companies together in a structured way.

"The ICT Cluster believes that stronger university-business links are essential to creating a thriving technology sector in the West Midlands.  Technology and innovation are at the heart of our strategy and this initiative complements existing projects run by the ICT Cluster," he added.

Bob Boyd, CEO of WMita, said: ‘The ICT Innovation Clubs will exploit their close ties with the ICT Technology supplier network of the West Midlands IT Association (WMita).  WMita branches are keen to participate in all the Innovation Clubs, and involve not only our SME membership, but also our extensive partner and affiliate members.’