MORE than 70 local businesses went to a breakfast event held by Worcestershire County Council and FinditinWorcestershire. 

The event was called Next Generation Technology Opportunities and was designed to attract technology companies interested in finding out about the opportunities that will come from 5G capability.

Keynote speakers from QintetiQ and Worcester Bosch highlighted the importance of cyber security and the advancements of the Worcestershire 5G Testbed Consortium.

Malvern-based, QinetiQ explained how it is working closely with businesses to leverage its world-class expertise to enable them to understand the huge benefits that will come from 5G.

Andrew Bentley, technical engineering manager at Worcester Bosch went on to talk about the rapid development of the connection of people and things and how Bosch’s internet of things will play a key role industry.

The Crown Commercial Service was there to explore new ways of working and delivering frameworks in technology and to talk to attendees about how it can work with more small businesses across the county.

Fidelma Griffin and Gemma Baldwin gave tips on winning business in the public sector and detailed what commercial agreement opportunities were coming up with the government body. 

Various local businesses exhibited at the event including Betaden, Worcestershire’s first dedicated tech accelerator and Clearview Systems.

The Be Cyber Secure Programme, funded by European Regional Development Fund, was on hand to give information about its funding available for SME’s to either improve their cyber security or to grow an existing cyber sector business.

Local SME’s can apply to the Be Cyber Secure Grant Fund, a Capital and Revenue based grant scheme, for match funded grants of up to £20,000.

For more information please contact Wendy Garrad on 01905 844595 or email wgarrad@worcestershire.gov.uk.

The event took place at Sixways on Tuesday, January 22 2019.