A business programme aimed at helping companies develop green technology has teamed up with Birmingham City University.
The Climate-KIC Low Carbon Accelerator programme, which is delivered by Innovation Birmingham, has added the Open Innovation Lab to its programme.
Later this month, 15 start-up companies on the Low Carbon Accelerator programme will take part in the first stage of the Open Innovation Lab which will see academics and representatives from established businesses work to bring extra challenge and value to the start-ups.
The event on September 23 will also feature a keynote presentation from built environment innovator Rachel Armstrong, a professor of experimental architecture at Newcastle University.
Innovation Birmingham and Birmingham City University are encouraging representatives from businesses across the region who would like to work with low carbon start-ups to take part in the event.
Expertise in product design, web design and the built environment is desired.
Alexa Torlo, cross innovation broker at Birmingham City University and co-ordinator of the Open Innovation Lab, said: "Rachel Armstrong has vast experience in design-led innovation and her way of approaching challenges will inspire the start-ups and their collaborators to enter the experience in the spirit of openness, partnership and exploration.
"It will be a real privilege to be able to benefit from her insight."
Catherine Shelley, Innovation Birmingham's Climate-KIC project manager for entrepreneurship, added: "This is the first year we have introduced the Open Innovation Lab to the Low Carbon Accelerator programme.
"By working alongside Birmingham City University, this new initiative will bring extra challenge and value to the start-ups that we support and champion.
"This event will enable representatives from established businesses to strike up relationships with low-carbon entrepreneurs who are in the process of launching highly innovative new products and services to the market.
"Climate-KIC as a whole is committed to breaking down silos between sectors and disciplines and we look forward to seeing this bear fruit in the regional economy."
