As well as its stem cells services and insurance arms, WideCells Group PLC (LON:WDC) is intent on educating the masses about this potentially transformational technology through its WideAcademy division.
WideCells wants to establish its 100%-owned education and training business as the thought leader on stem cell technologies not just for the public, but for medical professionals and insurance brokers as well.
WATCH: WideCells' Alan Greenberg on the 'extraordinary' opportunities for WideAcademy
The plan is to work with strategic partners in the tech and education sector to produce and deliver informative and easily-digestible content and courseware.
A win-win for WideCells
Some of the content will be free while consumers will have to pay for access to some of the other initiatives.
Resources for English-speaking countries are likely to be the first out of the block. Over time more languages will be added to the roster to help establish WideAcademy as the global “go-to portal for stem cells”.
For London-listed WideCells, the venture is something of win-win. It expects WideAcademy to be profitable on its own, while at the same time helping to boost interest in its other businesses.
As the company puts it: “The more [people] know about stem cell innovation, the stronger the market becomes.”
Some big names involved
As WideCells announced earlier this year, Apple Inc’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) former head of education, Alan Greenberg, is heading up the WideAcademy team as the division’s senior vice president.
Greenberg is being joined by Jimmy Leach – another with years of experience working for some renowned companies and institutions.
He was head of digital diplomacy at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, editorial director for digital at The Independent as well as head of digital communications at Downing Street.
As WideAcademy’s editor-in-chief, he’s responsible for driving the intuitive, informative and engaging content across the platform.
‘WideAcademy can boost the entire sector’
“By helping people to understand this growing industry from multiple perspectives and angles, WideAcademy will help drive the uptake of products and services and in turn investment across the entire sector,” said WideCells Group chief executive João Andrade.
WideAcademy SVP Greenberg added: “I have first-hand experience of the huge impact engaging digital content can have in driving education.
“Technology will be key to unlocking our proposition, which is centred on creating and distributing easily-digestible and trustworthy content, much of which will be free to access, share and 'like'.
“Courseware, accreditation, and the access to distinguished networks will come at a price, enabling this proposition to become self-funding.”