Education tech start-ups offered helping hand by Jisc

Digital technology charity Jisc has launched a bursary programme for UK-based start-ups that specialise in products and services targeted at the higher education sector.

 The scheme will provide five start-ups with free exhibition space at the forthcoming Jisc Digital Festival, which takes place in Birmingham on 11 and 12 March.

The event is designed to flag technologies that could have a positive impact on the education and research sector in the future.

The winners, which must employ fewer than 10 staff, will also receive a two-day exhibitor pass to the event for two people, as well as a demonstration slot to showcase their wares.

The deadline for bursary applications is 31 January 2014.

Andrew McGregor, deputy chief innovation officer at Jisc, said the event will be attended by staff from higher education providers and commercial organisations, providing start-ups with a great platform for their products and services.

"This makes this bursary a fantastic opportunity for educational technology start-ups to meet potential customers and network with experts in digital technology," McGregor said.

"Jisc's role is to use digital technology to improve education and research so the chance to meet and support people who have established companies that are seeking to use technology in new, exciting ways is always an intriguing prospect."