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.
Startupbootcamp’s IoT cohort
Startupbootcamp has announced the names of the 10 startups accepted to its 2016 IoT cohort.
The chosen startups, which are working on a wide range of areas including security, intelligence horse monitoring tech and smart manufacturing, beat more than 400 applicants from 61 different countries.
Here is this year’s Startupbootcamp IoT | Connected Devices’ cohort:
- CityCrop (Greece), a connected intelligent indoor garden that allows users to produce pesticide-free fruits and vegetables.
- Doordeck (UK), a hardware and software product for controlling electronic locks.
- Eskesso (Spain), a mobile app, cloud-based online platform and a “sous vide” smart Wi-Fi compatible cooking appliance.
- HomyHub (Spain), a Plug and Play Smart Device for garage doors that lets you control, monitor and share your garage from your smartphone.
- Joyride (Canada), building a tracking device for cyclists and bike fleets.
- MOONA (France), tracks your sleep and sets the perfect pillow temperature to fall asleep quickly.
- Thingtrax (UK), building a tracking solution for Injection Molding machines targeting mid-level manufacturing customers.
- Trackener (UK), an intelligent horse monitoring technology helping horse owners give the best to their horses and alert them if an abnormal situation is detected.
- Woogie (Romania), building a new way of AI interaction with technology especially designed and engineered for kids.
- YodelUP (Canada), an “on-glove” wearable device that enables skiers and snowboarders to instantly access their smartphone and gadgets while wearing gloves.
Program MD, Raph Crouan, said: “Receiving such a large number of applications for the program shows just how much attention there is on IoT and hardware right now. Having undergone a comprehensive selection process which included visiting and hosting events in 15 cities across the world, we’re delighted to have now chosen the ten startups for acceleration. Each one has a great team behind them, and the range of markets they are attacking points the way to how IoT will develop in the coming years, from AI to Industrial IoT, and everything in-between.”
Each startup will reiceive €15,000 in cash, office space in London connected to a full fast prototyping lab, and access to a global network of IoT and hardware experts and investors.
At the end of the three-month acceleration period a public Demo Day will be held, with each of the 10 startups pitching in front of investors, angels and VCs.
BMW innovation lab
Luxury vehicles company BMW has partnered with L Marks, a corporate innovation specialist and investment fund, to work with five startups on a 10 week programme.
The programme will give selected startups unprecedented access to BMW Group Financial Services as well as support o drive innovation in the car finance space.
According to a statement, both companies are looking for startups developing products or solutions in the following categories:
- Access to Cars – partnerships that can transform how the business can utilise existing fleets to enhance ownership, usage and customer retention
- Data Driven Decisions – solutions that provide transparency, data visualisations and accelerations decision-making for customers and suppliers
- Used Cars – exploring ways to open up their used car opportunities and attract a younger market
- Digitising the Customer Journey – solutions that can introduce a streamlined and intuitive online journeys
- FinTech Wildcard – we want to hear from technologists and entrepreneurs looking to transform automotive finance and insurance opportunities
Mike Dennett, CEO of BMW Group Financial Services UK, said: “The Innovation Lab provides a great opportunity for us to get a different perspective on our business and generate new ideas more quickly. It is a very different approach and one which will allow us to explore customer-focused initiatives from young, energetic and talented small companies while at the same time offering them the chance to gain exposure to a range of experienced mentors and potential investors.”
Startups have until 31st July to submit their application on the BMW Group Financial Services Innovation Lab’s website.
Innovation accelerator in Slough
The Bakery – open innovation specialists – have joined Slough’s Trading Estate in a quest to find innovative entrepreneurs that can solve big business challenges for customers and companies in the surrounding Thames Valley area.
The launch was held at Slough Aspire and was attended by the founders of The Bakery, and representative from SEGRO as well as potential customers from the Trading Estate.
Tom Salmon, co-founder of The Bakery, said: “We are thrilled to be working with SEGRO and their customers on the Slough Trading Estate to bring collaborative innovation to Slough. As the first London accelerator to expand to this region, we firmly believe that this initiative will help to kickstart corporate open innovation in the same way asaccelerator ecosystems in Silicon Valley, Tech City and other clusters are doing; attracting, growing and developing entrepreneurs alongside forward thinking corporates, contributing to a bright future for Thames Valley business.”
Gerard Grech, CEO Tech City UK, commented: “Collaboration between startups, SMEs and corporates is fundamental to continuing the rapid growth of UK tech – Digital Tech Industries are growing 32% faster than the rest of the UK economy – as young companies look for market validation. A recent KPMG study also found that almost 90% of corporates stated it’s essential to work with startups to promote innovation.
“Since its launch in 2012, The Bakery has been providing startups with a platform for this collaboration and it’s very exciting to see this partnership announced and an exciting new tech cluster developing in Slough,” he concluded.
That’s all for now … see you next Friday!