Digital health business Kaido has been accepted onto a prestigious programme run by global tech giant Microsoft.

The firm, based at Innovation Birmingham Campus, is one of just four UK start-up businesses to take part in the 'IoT & Data Innovation Programme' which provides free training, networking opportunities and coaching to promising UK start ups and innovators.

Kaido was founded by Richard Westman and uses smart technology and access to expertise to help individuals get more from their health applications, wearable devices and smartphones in line with their health goals.

It was accepted onto the programme following a competitive application and interview process and will work with Microsoft to develop its first product - an artificial intelligence 'health-bot'.

The company is also one of 20 start-ups currently on Innovation Birmingham's Serendip Smart City Incubator, a programme which co-locates promising start-up businesses with large commercial partners at its new iCentrum building.

Mr Westman said: "2016 has been a very exciting year for Kaido.

"Acceptance onto Innovation Birmingham's Serendip Smart City Incubator and now the Microsoft IoT & Data Innovation programme are integral parts of our growth strategy, to ensure we have the ideal foundations and support services in place to grow into the national and international marketspace.

"We are looking forward to working alongside the team at Microsoft to bring our first product to market at the back end of 2016."