The UK Government has confirmed its intention to provide a five-year funding package for Digital Catapult.
Driving early adoption of advanced digital technologies, the agency runs digital facilities and programmes that bring startups, scaleups and corporates together in leading edge innovation. Its major programmes focus on early adoption of AI, Future Network and Immersive Technologies, as well as more experimental work in distributed ledger technologies. Digital Catapult is part of Innovate UK’s Catapult network, supporting Government’s aim of achieving 2.4% of GDP on research and development by 2027.
Welcoming the announcement, chair of Digital Catapult, Andy Green, said: “I am delighted for our people and partners that the Digital Catapult’s crucial role in developing advanced digital technology has been recognised. The team have launched Europe’s first commercial VR Volumetric Capture Studio; supported UK AI companies in developing cutting edge technologies through the Machine Intelligence Garage; established the first non-academic 5G testbed in Brighton; and deployed a low powered digital network across the UK. Technology development over the next five years will bring amazing opportunities for British SMEs and the Digital Catapult team will be there to help them succeed.”
Focusing in the manufacturing and creative industries, it supports early adopters through acceleration programmes and programmes that match corporates looking to solve business challenges with start-up and scale-up innovators.
CEO Jeremy Silver added: “Digital Catapult is making the UK more digital, more quickly and more responsibly. Digital Catapult is here to support trailblazing businesses so that others can follow their lead. Our programmes focus on high-growth areas; immersive technologies (AR/VR), artificial intelligence (AI) and future networks (5G). Digital Catapult provides state-of-the-art digital facilities, navigation of the fragmented startup landscape and strategic guidance to traditional businesses. We’re helping increase industrial investment in R&D in new ways, taking advantage of digital technology and culture.”
Digital Catapult www.digicatapult.org.uk
