Leading science and innovation campus Sci-Tech Daresbury has revealed the fourth cohort of the Future Club, its exclusive business growth scheme.
Providing a range of technical and business support to innovative science and technology start-ups, the programme will help each business in the intake to realise its growth potential. Sci-Tech Daresbury has been handpicking five dynamic young businesses to participate in the programme each year since 2021, providing them with access to an invaluable offering of business support and networking opportunities.
This year, the leading Liverpool City Region campus has selected a group in recognition of their significant business potential in developing products and services to meet technological, environmental, health and social needs. They include companies working in machine learning and AI, and HealthTec.
As members of the Future Club, the selected companies will benefit from early access to the business growth programmes, partnerships, and communities at the campus, along with its vibrant working environment with a range of hot desk, office, laboratory and workshop facilities across several buildings.
Through Sci-Tech Daresbury’s renowned networking events and collaboration opportunities, this year’s cohort will also gain greater visibility within the business and scientific communities in the North West and beyond.
Leading the way and lending their expertise will be Sci-Tech Daresbury’s Gold Partners; twelve handpicked organisations that offer first-class support for Sci-Tech Daresbury companies in a range of business and research areas. They include Marks and Clerk, Grant Thornton LLP, RTC North – who manage the Innovate UK Edge programme – and the University of Liverpool.
On top of this, the Future Club companies will have access to handpicked mentors from the Sci-Tech Daresbury network. These entrepreneurs with many years of experience and success will nurture these promising early-stage companies with their time, knowledge, and expertise, to help them develop and implement positive strategies for their businesses.
The 2024 intake are as follows:
AI Sight
AI Sight Limited is a Liverpool City Region-based next generation artificial intelligence company that will provide retinal image interpretation for diabetic screening programmes. This University of Liverpool spin-out is bringing to market a highly accurate, low-cost, web-based diagnostic tool, capable of meeting the skilled workforce shortfall in many countries. The solution will aim to reduce sight loss in this vulnerable group by providing early diagnosis and getting patients to the interventions that they need.
AI Sight CEO, Dr Steve Powell, said:
“We’re ready to move to the next level, and are confident that becoming a Future Club member will support us in this endeavour.
“The AI Sight team is looking forward to spending more time within a supportive ecosystem. Learning from others, making key industry contacts, and becoming associated with the Sci-Tech Daresbury brand will enhance our credibility and expedite our growth.”
Currant Care
Currant Care is an innovative health technology start-up, developing non-invasive, sensor-based solutions to common healthcare-related needs. Its latest project, Sensora, is a patient monitoring device which aims to help with the increased demand for elderly care by facilitating remote care through machine learning, reducing the caregiving burden and enhancing efficiency. Their mission is to bring seamless, non-invasive products to market that provide immediate benefit to help vulnerable patients and empower providers and caregivers.
Raj Kundalia, CEO and Co-Founder of Currant Care, said,
“Membership of the Future Club is exactly what Currant Care needs to bolster our growth trajectory. The club’s offerings align perfectly with Currant Care’s needs as an innovative tech start-up aiming for rapid expansion.
“We know that the tailored support, mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, and increased visibility to a network of influential partners will directly impact our goals in a positive way, and we can’t wait to collaborate with Sci-Tech Daresbury’s community, which has seen substantial growth over the years and promises to foster an environment ripe for innovation and business development.”
DermaSense
DermaSense Limited is a Cheshire-based company that manufactures sensors that address needs in the diabetes-1 linked Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) market. A CGM comprises a sensor, a small device attached to the arm or stomach that senses how much glucose is in the fluid under your skin, called interstitial fluid. DermaSense’s products will result in a greater accuracy and sensitivity when compared to the current generation of sensors.
Dr Neville Freeman, Director of DermaSense, said,
“Sci-Tech Daresbury’s offering to us via the Future Club will be invaluable for us as we look to explore funding routes, explore potential business partners, and network with other health-tech organisations.
“The campus’ stellar reputation and impressive office spaces will benefit us immensely, and we’re eager to see where we get to with its support.”
Digital Language Partners
Digital Language Partners create Generative-AI-enabled software solutions for customer contact services. Chatbot+™ is their multilingual virtual assistant which can be deployed online for businesses to handle customer interactions. Livechat+™ is their web-chat tool that can seamlessly translate chat conversations between users in 100+ languages. Their goal is to help companies reduce their operational costs, encourage customers to self-serve, improve customer experience, and adopt AI effectively.
Kevin Freeman, Director at Digital Language Partners, said,
“Being part of the Future Club’s 2024 intake is massively important for us on a number of levels. As a start-up, the credibility that comes with being endorsed and supported by Sci-Tech Daresbury is vital to our success.
“Tapping into the resources being made available to us across development, IP/Legal, networking, and mentor support is something we very much value. This opportunity will help us supercharge our plans to grow the business rapidly – the Future Club’s proven track-record of growing tech companies along with the size and backing that is the campus itself leaves us with no doubt.”
Emerging Data Technologies
Emerging Data Technologies (EDT) is a Liverpool-based data analytics organisation committed to advancing AI and machine learning technologies in 2024. Its focus is on sustainable growth and introducing our predictive analytics models to the advanced manufacturing sector. They aim to enhance efficiency and innovation in manufacturing through their specialised AI solutions.
George Jones, Co-Founder of Emerging Data Technologies, said,
“Joining this year’s Future Club is a significant milestone for Emerging Data Technologies. This opportunity opens up new possibilities for us and a vast network that would be challenging to access without Sci-Tech Daresbury’s support. We’re positive that the diverse expert support available through the club will be instrumental in our success.”
Enturi Solutions Ltd, who develop off grid wind-powered distributed energy systems to help UK companies decarbonise, were selected as part of the 2023 cohort. Founder Alex Shakeshaft commented,
“Enturi has received fantastic support from Sci-Tech Daresbury as a direct result of being selected as a 2023 Future Club Member.
We have benefited from being able to access the facilities and community at Daresbury, including the STFC Hartree Centre for advanced 3D CFD modelling, networking events, and support of several of Sci-Tech Daresbury’s Gold Partners and companies, including Tatton Consultancy and Slater Heelis.
The amazing network of contacts which John Leake and his colleagues have shared with us has been the icing on the cake.
Being a member of the 2023 Future Club has, without doubt, accelerated our progress and given us competitive advantage as a start-up business. We highly recommend the Future Club. Do not miss this opportunity!”