Drive, the startup accelerator from Belron, invests in two startups from latest programme
by Startacus Admin
Drive is the startup accelerator from Belron, parent company of Autoglass®, which is run in partnership with innovation specialists L Marks, and designed to fast track disruptive young businesses looking for global expansion.
In this second year of the accelerator programme, five tech startups – Blitzz, Locpin, Talking Circles, ThriveMap and ThanksBox - spent 10 weeks working with Belron countries; immersing themselves in Belron business operations and trialling their products. On 26 June, each team presented their experiences and proposal for a future relationship with Belron during an exciting Demo Day.
Belron has since announced that it will invest £125,000 in two startups and innovation partner, L Marks will match £103,340 investment, bringing the total startup funding to £228,340.
Those set to receive financial support, in addition to contracts with Belron, are:
ThriveMap - who have a platform that measures how people like to work in order to predict team fit and improve team harmony. ThriveMap will receive £75,000 of investment from Belron and £53,340 from L Marks.
Locpin - who provide a smart addressing solution which provides all the information necessary to ensure you can quickly and efficiently find the right location, first time, every time. Locpin will receive £50,000 of investment from Belron and £50,000 from L Marks.
Talking Circles and Blitzz have been asked to continue to work on their pilots with Belron, on a commercial basis, as conversations about investment continue. ThanksBox is continuing conversations with Carglass® Germany as to the best way to support them
Nick Burton, Head of Digital & Innovative Technology of Belron, said:
“Drive has been really exciting this year, with five brilliant teams joining the programme. I've been really impressed with the speed and agility on display as each team got their pilots up and running in four countries, and I really appreciate the hard work and teamwork on display when the teams are in one of our countries, or at Milton Park.”
Stuart Marks, technology entrepreneur and Chairman of L Marks, said:
“Any programme entering its second year will inherit high-expectations from the success of the first programme: In the case of Belron, expectations have been more than met. The teams across all participating countries have been confident, committed and open-minded in their approach to the startups, and we have been pleased to support progress as each has grown in response to the feedback they have been given. Drive with Belron has had another successful year thanks to everyone’s hard work, the contributions of the startups and the support of our team.”
The key focus for Drive with Belron 2017 was to collaborate with disruptive startups who can effectively improve operations of the leading vehicle glass repair and replacement company. In return, startups were given the opportunity to trial their products with a global organisation.
In addition to the startups securing funding and/or paid continuation of their pilots, all five on the accelerator programme developed their business more rapidly than they would have done by operating on their own.
Now read this : Nexus by DIA - Startups Shaping the Future of Supermarket Shopping Wanted
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.Got a business in the manufacturing sector? These tips on how you can reduce energy costs while being more sustainable are well worth a read...
Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.
Nassia Skoulikariti, Director of IoT Programmes, Mobile Ecosystem Forum shares some insights on how IoT is having a significant impact on all our lives.
Roger James Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Genius Group, a world-leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, discusses how introducing a globalized curriculum will help better prepare students.
SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.
41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.
Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.
Thingtrax Secures £4.3M to Empower Manufacturers to Build the Factories of the Future
A measure of inflation relief for small firms sees transport costs fall but service price increases remain elevated
Bedfordshire-based HR tech startup HR DataHub has built a range of tools for HR departments
Published on: 31st July 2017
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- SureIn Secures €4M to Close the SMB Insurance Gap 15th Aug 2023 Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.
- SuperFi raises $1M pre-seed funding round 28th Jul 2023 SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.
- Startups rely on AI & sustainability for new partnerships 27th Jul 2023 41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.
- Another Round closes £300k Seed round to revolutionise personal training 21st Jul 2023 Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.