Open Societal Challenge Competition

Learn more

Biztech are delighted to showcase an invitation from the Open University to take part in their

Open Societal Challenge Competition

The aim is to apply the OU’s research excellence to some of the most pressing societal challenges facing people across the UK and worldwide to transform lives. The focus is on Tackling Inequalities, Living Well, and Sustainability.

But they need help from our local businesses – in particular those with ideas about using technology and data to tackle real-world problems that are relevant for the Milton Keynes area.

If you are a Milton Keynes business and you have a Challenge that could be submitted to the OU – please enter the competition.

You can enter at any time between 1st March 2024 and 15th May 2024.  If you win and your Challenge is selected you will be assigned to an OU Research Team.  Your business will be eligible for baseline funding of £25,000 and you will be invited to co-design a research project aimed at tackling your Societal Challenge.

To find out more about the Programme go to https://societal-challenges.open.ac.uk.  Make sure you check out the competition rules.

To enter you will need to set yourself up with an OU Account.  Click ‘Sign In’ at the top of the page.  Once you are signed in you can then go to  https://societal-challenges.open.ac.uk/challenges/submit to register your challenge.

Finalists will be announced in June 2024 – and will have a chance to have their entry published on the Open Societal Challenges Online Platform and may be invited to pitch their idea at a research event in the Summer. Winners will be announced by October 2024.

To find out more about the competition and the support available, please reach out to societal-challenges@open.ac.uk.

Robotics in Action

Robotics in Action

The Robotics Industry Showcase 2026 brought cutting‑edge robotics, automation, and AI to life in Milton Keynes. From live demos to meaningful industry conversations, the event highlighted how real‑world innovation is already transforming sectors across the UK — and why collaboration is key to shaping the future of robotics.

read more
From 5G to 6G mobile mobile communications.

From 5G to 6G mobile mobile communications.

As the world anticipates the arrival of 6G, a quiet revolution is already reshaping mobile connectivity. The introduction of 5G Non‑Terrestrial Networks (5G NTN) is blending satellite and terrestrial systems for the first time, ensuring coverage continues where traditional mobile networks stop. Early services are modest—mostly messaging and basic data—but the shift is profound. Direct‑to‑device satellite links mean that even in remote areas, at sea, or during outages, everyday smartphones can still stay connected.
This early integration lays the foundation for 6G, which aims to merge ground and space networks into one seamless system. Rather than relying on satellites as a backup, 6G will make them a native part of the mobile experience. For most people, the change won’t feel like a leap in speed—it will feel like mobile coverage finally becoming dependable everywhere.

read more