INSIGHTS / News

SETsquared companies got into the driving seat when they met with Ford and Visa Europe to discuss the next innovations in automotive technology.

The world-leading university business incubator invited its start-up companies with a potential link to the industry to meet with business experts from the two global companies to discuss future technology solutions.

Representatives from 12 SETsquared companies discussed the development of apps and devices for car users and new ways of delivering mobility solutions.

The networking event, at the University of Bath’s Innovation Centre, gave entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their new technologies and receive valuable insight and feedback from Ford and Visa Europe.

Simon Bond, Innovation Director at SETsquared, said: “This was a successful collaboration between world-renowned businesses and our new technology companies who are creating products and services with an automotive element. This is an exciting sector which is not as prevalent as others, but is evolving rapidly.

“SETsquared is proud to be at the forefront of British innovation and manufacturing, particularly important in the current economic climate post-Brexit.”

Scott Lyons, business and partner development, Connected Vehicle and Services at Ford of Europe, said: “Today’s new cars offer a moveable software platform which provides exciting opportunities for developers.

“We were pleased to see so many interesting companies from SETsquared with potential for delivering a wide range of valuable technology to the car driver.”

Ford is hosting a mobile app challenge in Berlin on 7 and 8 September to allow people to develop car solutions for its apps. For more information visit: http://berlin.makeitdriveable.com/

Ivan Glautier, software engineer at start-up Nquiringminds, who attended the networking event, said: “Connective automotive is a huge opportunity over the coming decade or so and Ford is actively promoting innovation in the SME sector through its AppLink technology. We’re looking forward to exploring development opportunities with this, on top of our own IoT InterliNQ platform”