Redpill Group and Birmingham announce a world-first in data sharing and innovation
Dr Robin Daniels
Serial founder, innovator and impact investor | Fellow, Wolfson College Cambridge
LONDON and BIRMINGHAM, UK. 30th March 2016. Led by Redpill Group, a partnership is today announced between the UK’s Digital Catapult and Birmingham City University with the launch of the first Data Catalyser.
The Digital Catapult is developing breakthroughs for the UK in areas of opportunity that involve sharing closed data between organisations, as well as sharing personal data in a way that’s secure and trusted. Birmingham City University is one of the Catapult’s key partners for this approach and the exclusive Partnership Memorandum signed this week cements the relationship between the two institutions.
Birmingham City University will install and operate the ‘West Midlands Data Catalyser’ as a regional and national hub for the unlocking and smart use of currently closed or proprietary data and will be working with a wide range of organisations. Alongside Redpill Group, other partners in the development of the Catalyser will include Birmingham City Council, the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), the West Midlands Combined Authority and businesses – both big and small – across the UK.
News of the West Midlands Data Catalyser closely follows the announcement of Birmingham City University’s STEAMHouse project earlier this month, also supported by Redpill Group. The UK Government announced that it will be contributing ￡14 million to help transform the former Typhoo tea factory in Birmingham into a collaborative innovation centre for solving the challenges facing SMEs in the West Midlands region.
Speaking at the launch of STEAMHouse, Business Secretary Sajid Javid celebrated Birmingham’s reputation for innovation:
“STEAMHouse is a project between universities, the creative industries, which the Midlands is very well known for, and also businesses – all working together to create a new innovation centre, which will then lead to new discoveries, new work and new jobs. The estimate is that it could eventually create 10,000 jobs.”
The application of leading-edge data science to a part of the UK poised for significant urban renewal and inward investment is something that should, and will, attract international attention. Having recognised the huge potential of a partnership between Birmingham City University and the Digital Catapult, it’s incredibly satisfying to see the beginning of that partnership today.
We very much look forward to working with the University, the Digital Catapult and Birmingham City Council to capitalise on that potential – and in the process help to kick-start the Midlands Engine.
The full press release can be found here:
Redpill Group Ltd.