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Startup Weekly: EasyJet and Founders Factory announce TravelTech cohort, InMotion Ventures accelerator & more

Here’s your weekly round up of news about startup competitions, awards, co-working spaces, accelerators and any other exciting things happening in the UK tech sector.

EasyJet and Founders Factory announcement

Flio and LuckyTrip have been announced as the first two startups to enter Founders Factory and EasyJet’s six months TravelTech accelerator.

Flio is a global airport app complete with maps, shopping deals, airport tips and flight departure information.

Founded by Stephan Uhrenbacher (founder Qype), Brian Collie (ex BAA plc and lastminute.com), Andy Watson (early Spotify), and currently working with 900 airports, Flio aims to become the single app solution for every airport in the world.

LuckyTrip, founded by brothers Tiff and Alex Burns, enables the (typically millennial) traveller to simply set their budget and find a unique holiday in just one tap.

James Millett, director of digital and marketing at EasyJet, said: “Both companies have strong mobile first propositions in travel inspiration and airport experience that are already getting real traction with customers, have fantastic initiatives in their pipelines and passionate, talented entrepreneurs at the helm.”

Henry Lane Fox, co-founder and CEO, Founders Factory, also commented on the announcement: “Our in-house operations team will be providing an intense, bespoke support programme to assist with the growth of Flio and LuckyTrip, something which, when combined with the industry knowledge and audience scale of easyJet, will mean an unparalleled offer for these startups.

“Our hunt for the brightest and best new innovation in travel tech is ongoing, and anyone with a great idea and brilliant team should get in touch with Founders Factory,” he concluded.

InMotion Ventures accelerator

InMotionVentures, the venture capital business powered by Jaguar Land Rover, is now accepting applications for its startup accelerator programme.

The six-month InMotion Accelerator programme seeks to provide tailored funding for up to 15 startups across two cohorts per year.

InMotion is designed to identify, mentor and invest in early stage startups from around the world, focused exclusively on businesses in the mobility and transportation space.

James Nettleton, head of accelerator at InMotion Ventures, commented: “New technologies and consumer needs are transforming the way we move. This rapid change creates a unique opportunity for startups to build hugely valuable businesses, and we’ve designed a programme to help them do just that.”

The first cohort will join the London, UK-based programme in April 2017.

To apply for the InMotion Accelerator, visit inmotionventures.com/accelerator.

Everledger wins NTT Data Innovation Business Contests

Blockchain startup Everledger beat 10 other startups at the London edition of NTT Data’s Global Open Innovation Business Contest 5.0.

The team will now fly to Tokyo (Japan) to compete against entrepreneurs from around the wold in the Grand Finale.

Contestants will be competing for the chance to win a three-month in-kind contribution worth $30,000 to support the development of their proposed new business, and an opportunity to break into the highly innovative Japanese market.

Jessica Ferguson, head of art and culture, at Everledger said: “We’re very excited to have won the London heats of this great contest, it’s a wonderful opportunity for our team.

“We believe the combination of our two technologies in this space is a perfect match, and we would love to build a global product with NTT DATA. In the meantime, we’re delighted to have an opportunity to explore the Japanese market as a result of our successful pitch in London,” Ferguson concluded.

The Grand Finale of the Global Open Innovation Contest 5.0 will take place on 15th March 2017.

A new accelerator programme

The Barbican and The Trampery have announced the launch of alt.barbican, a new accelerator programme for innovative artists working at the intersection of arts, technology, and entrepreneurship.

The programme was announced at The Trampery Republic in the presence of Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

Delivered in partnership with MUTEK, the British Council, and the National Theatre, this six-month programme provides opportunities and support for up to five artists whose practice falls outside traditional art form areas.

Alt.barbican will provide a range of showcase, mentoring and training opportunities within an environment in which research and discussion about this emergent field can take place and be shared.

Sidd Khajuria, senior producer at the Barbican, commented: “Alt.barbican is our response to an increasingly fluid creative landscape – one in which the boundaries between individual art forms are becoming less distinct. A generation of emergent artists are drawing upon multiple disciplines to create projects that are not served by traditional exhibition and performance spaces.

“Being a cross arts organisation, it’s vital the Barbican continues to support this emerging practice, and the hybrid nature of so much of this work is why we’re working in partnership with the National Theatre, MUTEK, and the British Council – all of whom are exploring similar terrain. It is, of course, wonderful to be collaborating with The Trampery once again to deliver a programme of work in this area, he added.

Applications for the inaugural cohort of five artists are now open, apply: barbican.org.uk/altbarbican

Luminous PR workshop

Luminous PR is holding a day of free PR advice sessions. The event will take place on Thursday 2nd March in Whitespace (Norwich).

The sessions could cover tech PR advice on the following areas: Launching products to relevant markets, how PR fits with seeking investment, thought leadership and corporate innovation.

Head over to the Luminous PR blog for more info. Email a brief description of your business along with an explanation of why you’re interested in tech PR to melissa@luminouspr.com to apply.

That’s all for now … Until next Friday!

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