
There were some great mentions last week about the Bath Tech Community and Bath:Hacked which highlight just why Blispa is so happy to be based here in the Bath tech hub.
The Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey, gave the opening speech at the Telegraph Smart Cities Conference where he gave
a prominent mention of Bath: Hacked:
“
…the UK is delivering data-driven innovation. Crossrail will be a digital railway, setting a new benchmark in smart infrastructure development. At the other end of the scale there are many innovative local data projects, like Bath Hacked, which uses open data to help with school applications, track new business creation, guide travel around town, and report on air quality.”
His comment references
the range of different apps and visualisations that the community has made and
continues to build.
This was followed up by mentions in the commons where Vaizey also mentioned Bath: Hacked in a response to a question by Bath MP Ben Howlett. Ben knows Bath: Hacked well as he was a judge in the Bath: Hacked Summer of Data hack in July.
Ben has since commented that:
“
It is great to hear that the Government recognises the tech hub which exists in Bath and Bristol and the huge impact it has on our economy. Bath: Hacked is leading the innovations with technology, putting open data and smart thinking at the heart of the economy. I was honoured to be asked to judge their summer event, where I enjoyed listening to some fascinating solutions to local problems using open data. I whole heartedly agree with Ed Vaizey that Bath would be a fantastic setting for the next Bond movie and I look forward to welcoming them to the city.”
Bath: Hacked has created
a community owned data infrastructure that brings together data from as many different sources as possible. Open data provides the raw materials that enable people to work together to solve problems. Data and technology themselves don’t magically solve problems, people do. We can help make the raw data accessible, but we’re looking to be guided by the community as to what problems need to be solved or where additional help is needed.
So if you are a local community, business, or charity in Bath it worth considering how Bath: Hacked could help you to:
- publish your data – the data store can be used freely by anyone wanting to publish open, local data.
- find the information you need – if you have a question then Btah: Hacked want to help you find the answer. That may involve getting some raw data or finding an application or visualisation that tells you what you need to know. It may be reaching out to other local organisations who might have relevant data. Being more informed about the local area brings clarity to local problems.
- work with the tech community to solve problems – whether its connections made via regular meetups, through running a hack day or similar challenge, or through other more formal collaborations, Bath: Hacked want to help demonstrate the benefits of working in the open.
Bath: Hacked is a great example of what makes the Bath area such a vibrant, exciting place for a tech startup like Blispa to be based. We have a great talent pool to call on, and a fantastic community spirit which helps foster collaboration and real innovation like the community data store.
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