THE deadline is fast approaching for businesses to sign up to a new tech acceleration cohort at Malvern's Cyber Valley.

Businesses can sign up to BetaDen's Chort 2.0 programme, which offers a package of proof of concept funding, investment coaching, business mentors, and marketing funding to budding entrepreneurs and technology businesses who are keen to develop and grow their ideas.

Businesses and tech entrepreneurs have until May 17 to apply to join BetaDen.

Ten successful applicants will be offered a place in partnership with BetaDen, which offers knowledge, expertise, and a range of business and financial support to drive future tech into the marketplace.

Linda Smith, founder and CEO of BetaDen said: “Worcestershire’s reputation as the UK’s cyber lead outside of London continues to grow, and we are delighted to be the region’s first tech accelerator that can offer such a unique and diverse package to prospective businesses.

“Our Cohort 2.0 programme exemplifies everything Worcestershire has to offer: growing development opportunities for SMEs, Research and Development facilities for larger businesses or technology scale-up businesses, a platform to create new concepts and work with experienced professionals in the tech field, and a strategic and financial support system.

"All of these factors together could potentially be very rare to find outside of an accelerator."

Cyber Valley, which now includes BetaDen, has customers in more than 60 countries worldwide for cyber security and software, nationally, Malvern’s Cyber Valley has the highest concentration of cyber companies in the UK.

BetaDen’s launch was funded by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP) with support from local technology businesses.

Businesses can go online to the BetaDen website to apply or find out more.

The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and delivery partners will then be shortlisting businesses to progress applications, before selecting the final cohort after the May 17 deadline.