I’m thrilled to be able to share details of an announcement from the Digital Catapult earlier today, confirming that AB Open have been selected as one of six partners to help lead the development of IoT enabled services and applications for UK SMEs and entrepreneurs.

The IoTUK Boost will aim to address barriers to entry into the IoT marketplace across the country, with partners building Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) experimentation testbeds, and stimulating engagement via open calls, workshops and meet-ups.

Minister of State for Digital and Culture Matt Hancock said: “The Internet of Things stands to benefit a great number of people as well as the wider economy. Due to the strong interest shown so far in this initiative, we have doubled the amount of funding available to give more entrepreneurs the opportunity to test their products. Boost will help to provide local infrastructure and support for promising IoT businesses to innovate and bring exciting new IoT products and services to market”.

Dr. Jeremy Silver, CEO, Digital Catapult, said: “Internet of Things is no longer a vision of the future, it’s here and transforming the world around us. By 2020 the IoT marketplace in the UK could be worth £20bn[1]. Boost has a key role to play in making the most of this opportunity, and we are delighted to be working with our six selected partners from across the UK to achieve this. For the potential of IoT to be truly realised it is vital that we see regional IoT industry growth, and develop applications relevant for the local community.”

For further details please see the IoTUK announcement.

We can’t wait to get started!

Andrew