Technology Adoption During the Pandemic and the Rise of Digital Start-ups

Join the UoB Business Club webinar to discover how the Covid-19 pandemic saw a rise in technology adoption and how this has impacted research and digital start-ups. Prior to the pandemic a fundamental shift towards digitalisation was already underway and current events has only accelerated this. Hear from data scientists and businesses alike to understand how a contactless world has inspired more start-ups, scale-ups and entrepreneurship than ever before.

The webinar will conclude with an overview of the Demand Hub Project. This project focuses on how the University can support SME’s who are specifically involved in the concept, design and development of medical technologies and digital healthcare.

Speakers include:

Henry Whorwood – Beauhurst

Beauhurst is a searchable database of the UK’s high-growth companies. Henry Whorwood will present a summary of Beauhurst's findings on the impact of coronavirus and lockdown measures on start-ups and scale-ups in the UK. He will look in particular at how digital businesses have been able to adapt and cope, and at how the investment landscape in 2020 is showing some positive data, despite it all.

Louise Butcher – Hartree Centre

The Hartree Centre forms part of the Science & Technology Facilities Council within UK research and innovation. It is backed by over £170 million of UK government funding and is home to the most advanced computing, data and AI technologies in the UK. They work with both SME’s and International corporations helping them identify and embed the right digital expertise and technologies that will boost performance and productivity.

Yiannis Maos – Birmingham Tech Week

Yiannis is the founder of Birmingham Tech Week, a collaborative series of events that celebrate our region’s technology scene. The week is not for profit and government-backed, it highlights new and emerging innovation, inspires the next generation and people from all walks of life to get involved in technology.

Derek Sear – Demand Hub

Demand Hub supports SME’s who are specifically involved in the design, development and delivery of medical technologies and digital healthcare. Derek will provide an overview of the SME support in which the project can offer ranging from digital tech support to technician and lab support.

About UoB Business Club

The University of Birmingham Business Club is a network that gives businesses and academics the opportunity to meet and develop mutually beneficial collaborations. The Club's Breakfast Briefings are themed around business-relevant presentations and networking time. The event is free of charge and the University's Business Engagement team are on hand to answer any questions.