Lockheed Martin
First application of the VTC model - the Lockheed Martin Virtual Technology Cluster (LM VTC) - was launched in March 2015.
The Virtual Technology Cluster Group, an organisation designed to enable multi-national companies to attract emerging technology innovators into their supply chains, officially launches today.
Established by leading industry experts and investors, The VTC Group's model enables VTC Members - disruptive technology innovators - to gain access to sponsor offered revenue opportunities, an advisor network and backing from the academic and investment to support the development of new technologies and markets.
The first application of the VTC model - the Lockheed Martin Virtual Technology Cluster (LM VTC) - was launched in March 2015, with a focus on cyber security and information communications technology (ICT). Attracting co-sponsors such as EMC who joined in January 2016, the LM VTC now boasts in excess of 70 technology companies, including more than 20 industry experts in fields such as accounting, legal, technical services and communications, reciprocal support from Derby University, Crossword Cyber Security and Vision 2020 Network Ltd. Three member companies have provided support to Lockheed Martin R&D activities and supported a recent Lockheed Martin winning bid
Lockheed Martin will continue to help technology SMEs in the UK supply chain make connections and pursue opportunities, connecting its members to a growing number of industry experts providing advice and support in specialist areas.
The VTC Group has attracted significant funding from a number of high profile investors that will enable it to both build its own business by creating additional sponsored technology clusters in different sub-sectors across the globe, and to invest in opportunities produced within each VTC. It has appointed a number of senior executives and entrepreneurs to its Board to help guide the organisation including; Chairman of The VTC Group, Ken Olisa (OBE), CEO Auriol Stevens, Mike Kennedy, John Moore and Michael Wellesley-Wesley. James Lort is a Director and Head of Operations is Alexis Vickery.
Auriol Stevens, CEO, the VTC Group, commented: "When we launched the first VTC last year, alongside Lockheed Martin, we were confident it would be a success. The quality of entrepreneurs, advisers and other supporters, combined with the opportunities for Members to compete for new business has meant that creating the VTC Group was an obvious next step. We see similar exciting opportunities and demand for VTCs in almost every sector we have researched and we will be launching the next VTC shortly."
