The first group of startup technology and digital businesses has already joined the programme. BetaDen Incubate will support up to 60 startups across four cohorts, operating from its dedicated co-working space at The Kiln in Worcester.

The first ten businesses winning a place on the incubator are:

• Access Support - online platform meeting the increasing need to work remotely, operating in the Disabled Student Allowance sector
• B13 AI – AI-powered software to de-risk software development projects
• Bid Essentials - Bid Management intranet system for private sector businesses bidding for public sector tenders
• Connor Hay - mobile apps and website development service
• Doopee Doo – a gamified discovery app to provide new experiences and interactions in the tourism sector
• GraftAR - Augmented reality app allowing customers to visualise products in their homes and linking tradespeople to customers
• LostLamb - technology-led system to reunite parents with children if they wander too far/get lost
• Make Life Better – AI tool helping citizens realise benefit and grant entitlements
• Ocius Consulting - software to help organisations manage business change effectively through improved planning, workflow and communication
• Silvflame – a system designed to contain and protect against wildfires caused by natural phenomena and human-induced events

Donston Powell, external affairs director at BetaDen, said: “We’re excited to welcome our first ten businesses to Incubate. The ‘BetaDen Accelerate’ programme has repeatedly proven there is a wealth of entrepreneurial technology talent in our county, and we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of emerging early-stage tech startups in the last year, so we’re excited that we can now bring the benefits of our award-winning programme to young businesses right at the beginning of their commercial journey.”

All participants in BetaDen Incubate will benefit from face-to-face workshops on key topics, 1:1 tailored business support from BetaDen’s team of experienced coaches, access to dedicated office space at The Kiln, a programme of specific networking events, support and access to PR opportunities, and exposure to BetaDen’s extensive partner and alumni network.

Alex Brookes, Centre Manager and Director at The Kiln added: “We are so excited to partner with BetaDen by hosting the Incubate programme from The Kiln.

“Collaborating with BetaDen is a great opportunity for us to support innovation, budding entrepreneurs, and to drive technological advancement within our community, which is a huge part of what we are all about here at The Kiln.

“There is a natural synergy between The Kiln and BetaDen that we thought was definitely worth taking advantage of.”

Karen Nolan, founder of Bid Essentials, said: “I was really pleased to be accepted onto the programme. The workshops we’ve done so far have been brilliant - there were a lot of things I didn’t know, and I’m glad I have the opportunity to learn and progress.

“It has been an exciting experience so far with a real community feel – it is good to be around other founders who are at the same stage as me, facing the same challenges. I feel really supported by the BetaDen team, mentors and my peers in the group.”