Innovation Birmingham Campus has struck up a new partnership with not-for-profit innovation and research centre RE-Rise UK and its virtual incubator and accelerator service.
Phase one of the alliance between the two companies is set to run until September 2018, and will see the organisations collaborate to drive business growth and success for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The partnership focuses on providing start-up businesses with international access to support and mentoring programmes, with RE-Rise UK’s existing operations in Delhi driving the birth of innovative technology-based projects between the UK and India.
Venkat Raman, founder of RE-Rise UK Ltd. said: “Under this partnership, Innovation Birmingham and RE-Rise UK will enjoy the opportunity to leverage world class programming and build great companies in the global incubation market.”
Start-ups currently nurtured by the RE-Rise Foundation receive business support, mentoring and incubation across a variety of sectors from solar and wind power to the Internet of Things and gaming.
The partnership provides Indian small to medium-sized enterprises with opportunities to acquire a place on a relevant support programme delivered at the Innovation Birmingham Campus.
Cliff Dennett, head of business development at Innovation Birmingham said: “Collaboration between two established business support networks for small to medium-sized enterprises presents valuable opportunities for business growth.
“The international dimension to this partnership means that both sets of companies have the chance to penetrate markets that may have been out of reach previously.
“I look forward to developing the relationship between the organisations as we strive to establish and nurture successful growth companies.”
Both organisations will provide up to nine months of free co-working space, mentoring and access to commercial partners, events, PR support and regional innovators and entrepreneurs.
Venkat added: “This collaboration will also seek to encourage the exchange of commercial opportunities, networks and knowledge for SMEs based in both countries, looking to expand into, or utilise resources in those countries.”
For start-ups based on the Innovation Birmingham Campus, the partnership presents an opportunity to gain more knowledge of the Indian market, where RE-Rise will be providing an assessment of sector-specific nationwide opportunities, an experience visit, accommodation arrangements, set-up and recruitment services as well as visa advice.
Pictured: Cliff Dennett, Innovation Birmingham and Venkat Raman, RE-Rise UK 3
