Entrepreneurs launching new ideas that will feed into Milton Keynes’ reputation as one of the country’s leading areas for innovation and digital technology are now eligible to join a learning programme launched by MK:U.
The Innovation Hub, which opened at MK:U last month, will host a cutting-edge Innovator Programme designed to help entrepreneurs develop new businesses in cooperation with corporate partners keen to invest in innovative ideas. The programme is free to attend and is open to anyone looking to start a new business.
MK:U was founded last year as a collaboration between Cranfield University, Milton Keynes Council and local business partners with the aim of delivering a portfolio of Level 6 degree-level apprenticeship programmes that combine professional skills with a technical curriculum.
The Innovation Hub was set up to further facilitate the growth of digital technology-led businesses that will both benefit from and feed into the outcomes of the apprenticeship programme. It was devised to provide a collaborative space – at its premises in the centre of Milton Keynes – that brings together the local business community while helping to develop new technologies.
Now, the introduction of the Innovator Programme will further encourage digital technology-based business ideas within the smart cities space.
Working with participants to develop new enterprises in cooperation with corporate partners keen to invest in innovative ideas, the Innovator Programme will provide the support required to create and launch a scalable business idea and make it investor-ready.
The programme will take participants through a rigorous ideation and validation process based on world-leading entrepreneurship teaching methodology to build an idea designed for scale.
Through the Innovation Hub, businesses and innovators will be able to access the tools the next generation of pioneers need and find support throughout all stages of rapid idea development and establishment.
Professor Lynette Ryals OBE, Chief Executive of MK:U, said:
“This is the next step in Milton Keynes and MK:U’s determined efforts to lead the way in digital technology and creating the workforce for the future. We have established the means of training tomorrow’s workforce in the skills they are going to need; we have created the Innovation Hub that encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing among those employers that are going to be crucial to the future of our economy; and now we have a programme that supports those with innovative ideas for developing their business.”
Find out more about the MK:U Innovation Hub at www.mku.ac.uk/InnovationHub
