Smart Cities
We bring together a range of visionary businesses united by a determination to improve the quality of life in urban areas – safer, better connected, more sustainable.
Nexus and Smart Cities
Technology, digital innovation and societal adoption are the key drivers in creating ‘smarter cities’ and as part of the Nexus community we connect pioneering businesses with vital academic research and advanced test facilities.
It’s a highly collaborative environment where new ideas have the potential to make a direct and positive impact on the way we live.
How can Nexus help?
As a member of Nexus, you’ll have improved access to vital funding opportunities to help you start up or scale up. Our knowledgeable team has extensive sector knowledge and experience of potential funding sources and can connect you with a range of advisors and potential investors.
As part of the University of Leeds, Nexus offers members access to the most advanced facilities for the testing and development of their innovations. These include the Nexus Digital Twin which allows businesses to create digital threads linking the development of their innovation to its environment to measure and validate its functionality and adoptability. Virtuocity (the centre for city simulation and co-design) the Leeds Institute of Data Analytics and Helix, the University’s new digital innovation hub.
Members also have access to a pioneering ‘living lab’ testbed at White Rose Park in Leeds where innovators can experiment, prototype, and test ideas in a real-world environment.
Nexus membership places you at the heart of a thriving academic environment where pioneering research is taking place in data analysis and data modelling as well as ground-breaking work in sustainability, climate science and pollution reduction - any of which can be drawn upon to help develop and co-create innovative smart city solutions.
Nexus is a focal point for innovation in the region and beyond, connecting member businesses with a wider ecosystem made up of industry, academia, local government and poilcy-makers. As such, it is an ideal platform for your business, supporting your growth and helping to raise your profile among public sector organisations and larger corporates.
Nexus is a member of the Digital Twin Consortium – the global collaboration between academia, industry and government – and can help drive global awareness and adoption of your ideas and solutions.
Leeds and smart cities
Hear more from Nexus’ Smart Cities Lead Dennis Dokter as he chats all things smart cities with the ‘Industrial Talks’ podcast, broadcast live from the Object Management Group (OMG) Q1 meeting in Reston, Virginia.
What makes a smart city?
We spoke to Dennis Dokter, Nexus’ Smart Cities Lead, David Smith, our Technical and Regional Entrepreneurship Lead and Mark Mildren, Director of the Future and Head of Marketing at property development and investment specialists Munroe K about what makes a smart city and what they mean for people, the environment and our economy.
Landmark partnership launches world-first digital twin project for the NHS
A groundbreaking partnership between Nexus and the Health Innovation Network Yorkshire & Humber, West Yorkshire ICB, and Kidney Research UK is set to transform how chronic kidney disease (CKD) is diagnosed and treated across the NHS.
The organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch the world’s first population health digital twin – a virtual model that mirrors real-world health systems, allowing experts to test interventions safely and effectively before applying them in clinical practice.
In our Meet Nexus series, we chat to members of the Nexus team to learn more about them and how they support the Nexus community.
Get to know Dennis Dokter, our Smart Cities Lead and Data & Insights Manager.
About Nexus
Nexus is a community of innovators. We bring together the brightest minds from business, technology and academia.
We help your business navigate the innovation landscape across West Yorkshire. We provide access to research, talent and facilities across the University of Leeds and beyond.
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Nexus and City Partners Unveil £2M Health Innovation Leeds Incubator to Accelerate Business Growth
A partnership of some of the city’s most influential organisations has today announced the launch of a new £2 million Health Innovation Leeds Incubator, a collaborative initiative designed to accelerate growth of healthtech businesses in the region and beyond.
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Nexus Connect: Digital Twins
At the 14th edition of Nexus Connect, we explored the rapidly evolving world of Digital Twins, a technology already transforming sectors from healthcare and food systems to utilities and smart cities.
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