The Edge Hub, an upcoming Hull-based digital upskilling and business growth collaboration, has signed an international agreement opening the door for Hull businesses to trade with Central America.
The Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with with global organisation Logis, an agri-logistic free trade zone under construction in Panama. Once completed, Logis will be the largest free trade zone of its kind in Central and Latin America.
Logis is driven by Italian billionaire entrepreneur Sandro Salsano and recently signed a similar agreement with Dubai’s Multi Commodities Centre free trade zone. The collaboration will focus on the sharing of skills and innovation aimed at increasing trade with Central America.
Salsano said: “Logis breaks down barriers to the sharing of technology skills and innovation on a global level. We are excited to work with the City of Hull and its businesses on bringing their innovation to Central America.”
The Edge will officially launch in central Hull in Spring 2023 offering a unique technology centre dedicated to innovation, technology, and skills for corporates and SMEs. The purpose-built hybrid environment will focus on filling the demand for digital skills across the region and offer over 20,000 programmes spanning Google, Microsoft, IBM and more.
It will also seek to remove barriers to local businesses that wish to share their digital skills globally and focus on accelerating innovation throughout the region, creating an environment rich in knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and innovation with a combination of academic and SMEs, local government and entrepreneurs.
Alongside the MOU, The Edge has also significantly expanded its team ahead of launch with several senior appointments and a Board of Advisors announced to support The Edge’s vision.
Mark Evans-Smith has had a successful career in technology sales, management, and senior leadership roles, including his first IPO, and led the innovation and venturing arm of Rolls Royce, followed by a senior position with GSK.
James Bernard brings over twenty years of experience across global industries with a track record in building start-up ecosystems, incubators, and accelerators. He is the founder, advisor and investor in over 16 companies across various sectors, with a strong focus on tech, web3, DLT, VR, AR, RPA, QC, and trading liquidity, across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, and non-executive board member for several global companies.
The Edge Hub’s new Board of Advisors is also joined by John Moore, ex-BUPA, and Martin Coupland, a chief technology advisor who has worked with global names such as Virgin Atlantic.
