North West based IN4.0 Group, led by entrepreneurs Mo Isap and Andy Beaden, has taken the helm of digital technology hub, The Landing, at MediaCityUK.
The industry 4.0 training, consultancy and digital transformation services provider specialises in applied learning, digital solutions and skills recruitment. It plans to scale a “pioneering, inclusive eco-system to drive prosperity across the North.”
Working in partnership with Salford’s chief digital officer Jon Corner, IN4.0 plans to create a Connected Cities Innovation Lab with a specific focus on commercialising research and development, creating new applications for technology and making adoption more accessible and affordable for businesses.
The Group will expand business growth services provided by IN4.0 with The Landing across the North through a ‘hub and club’ membership model, with a focus on improving the number of female founders and entrepreneurs from minority backgrounds.
Mo Isap CEO of IN4.0 Group and co-chair of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Digital technology today is the backbone of all industries, regardless of the nature and type of business.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many inequalities which we will be addressing head on.
“One of our primary objectives is to create the most diverse and inclusive innovation community.
“By doing this deliberately ensures that social value is on a par with economic value so that all citizens young and old in the region will have the opportunity to succeed and break new ground in our districts.
“This is an ambition we share unequivocally with Salford City Council.”
He continued: “MediaCityUK is a leading destination for the digital, tech and creative media industries – we will further augment this reputation to attract the best businesses and talent globally.
“It is our intention to be a major catalyst towards achieving Greater Manchester’s innovation ambitions and thus ensuring the UK leads in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
IN4.0’s blueprint for The Landing includes a pan-northern ‘super angel seed investment fund’.
Its partnership with Salford City Council over the past two years has successfully delivered a number of programmes at The Landing including IN4.0 Access, an industrial disruptive technologies accelerator and DEVA/hack, a creative digital hackathon with young people in Salford to nurture the next generation of digital entrepreneurs.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “Salford is a leading digital city and our ambitions continue as we provide an environment where nurtured local tech talent can flourish while creating jobs and growth in the local economy. We are very proud to be recognised nationally for our digital revolution.
“IN4.0 taking charge of The Landing is a positive step forward for this city. They will bring in their expertise and talent to help grow small and medium sized businesses with all the support they need under one roof at MediaCityUK.”