From Vision to Reality: The Launch of Project PlacePod

We are proud to announce the launch of Project PlacePod – our new initiative is designed to tackle digital exclusion by creating safe, secure and easy-to-use digital community hubs.

As a Northamptonshire-based technology company, we provide Connectivity Solutions and Digital Platforms to SMEs, Enterprises and Public Sector organisations. Project PlacePod represents the next step in our commitment to delivering meaningful digital innovation directly into communities.

This initiative is a collaboration between us, the University of Bedfordshire and Quintessence. It builds on the Memorandum of Understanding we signed in 2025, created to open up new student opportunities and drive research and innovation.

The development of our prototype was supported by a South Midlands Growth Hub ‘Driving Innovation’ Grant, launched as part of the University of Northampton’s ‘Fuelling Innovation’ campaign. We soft-launched PlacePod during ‘Get Online Week’ in October 2025 at Digital Northants’ ‘Health Tech’ demonstrator day. As of January 2026, the first permanent unit is now live at the University of Bedfordshire’s Luton campus.

Speaking on the launch, Stuart Smith, Head of Public Sector and Innovation here at dbfb, said:

“As people live longer, local authorities and health services are facing increasing pressure. One part of the solution is to bring more digital resources directly into communities, in line with the NHS 10-year plan. Project PlacePod provides a one-stop shop of integrated digital services, designed to be accessible for everyone, including those who are digitally excluded.”

PlacePod is just one example of how we believe emerging digital technologies can be positioned exactly where they are needed most, helping to deliver better outcomes for individuals, businesses and local communities.

Partnership is central to everything we are doing with this initiative. By working alongside the University of Bedfordshire, the South Midlands Growth Hub, Quintessence and other key stakeholders, we are collaboratively driving innovation while supporting regional growth.

Now that our first PlacePod is operational, it is already enabling a wide range of digital applications, from wellbeing and public safety through to sports analysis, with many more use cases planned.

Our vision is clear: to create a versatile, digitally enabled and secure space capable of supporting countless community needs. We are excited to work with communities and local partners across the UK to expand the reach of PlacePod and deliver truly accessible digital services nationwide.