Innovative and ambitious startups in the East Midlands are being offered the expertise of dedicated disruptor entrepreneurs to help drive transformation and resilience – as well as access to multiple perks including more than £70,000 worth of hardware and software credits – as part of the CBIT Venture Builder programme at Nottingham Business School (NBS), part of Nottingham Trent University.
The fully funded Venture Builder is a core part of the Centre for Business and Industry Transformation (CBIT) at NBS. It focuses on nurturing entrepreneurs who are looking to challenge and disrupt industry norms and revolutionise their business operations to propel them from the early stages to scalable and sustainable growth.
CBIT Venture Builder’s sparring partner approach delivers a customised journey tailored to each startup, featuring four key offerings: in-depth business model clinics and innovation; business process and product road mapping; strategic growth hacking; and investment readiness. This personalised journey ensures that a business’s growth is strategically guided and robustly supported at every stage.
Start-ups gain access to an array of perks, including advanced hardware and software technologies such as drones, AI development-ready stations, 3D printers for prototyping, and credits for essential services like Notion, Miro, AWS, Stripe, and other essential tools.
Professor Xiao Ma, director of CBIT and an internationally recognised thought leader and educator in entrepreneurship, business transformation, and digital economy, said: “Our role at CBIT has been pivotal in assisting numerous startups in pivoting and understanding their unique value propositions, aiding them in transforming business norms.
“We are committed to nurturing more businesses, helping them to innovate and challenge conventional industry standards, with the aim of establishing them as leaders in their respective fields.”
Businesses supported by the Venture Builder so far include IoT workforce and security management business, Jakin ID, and its parent company, Actatek, which has just won a major contract for the supply of state-of-the-art access control and workforce management hardware and software solutions, and UK grooming brand BarberBoss, which is currently working with the programme on a £230,000 Knowledge Transfer Partnership to improve supply chain efficiency and reliability through the use of artificial intelligence.
Recent additions to the portfolio are Freeaim VR, whose groundbreaking virtual reality shoes offer a highly immersive experience in virtual reality environments, and Healthy Air, a Nottingham-based venture pioneering in the field of air purification technology. Its advanced air purifier product is designed to significantly improve air quality in both workspaces and homes, effectively addressing the critical challenge of air pollution and ensuring a healthier environment.
The Venture Builder has also assisted DOCK-Y, a technology innovation company with a mission to make micro-mobility safer, smarter, and more secure. Experts from the programme helped DOCK-Y through the process of developing and launching its Advanced Rider Assist System (ARAS) that leverages artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning to revolutionise the safety of e-scooters and e-bikes, among other micro-mobility device.
Manish Pillay, founder and chief executive of DOCK-Y, said: “DOCK-Y’s journey in the CBIT Venture Builder program has been significantly beneficial. This opportunity has allowed us to have access to valuable expertise, aiding in the refinement of our business model and processes, and enhancing our growth tactics. CBIT has been more than just a collaborator; they’ve been a valuable partner, propelling us forward in Dock-Y’s journey towards having a strong foot in the micro-mobility sector.”
The CBIT Venture Builder is fully funded but businesses must meet selection criteria as places per year are limited.
