Intu Accelerate 2018 hunts for next big thing in retail
by Startacus Admin
Following a successful inaugural year which saw robots in centres, chat bots online and queue-jumping apps, intu Accelerate 2018 is once open for applications from startups looking to create the perfect shopping experience.
Owner of some of the UK’s largest and most popular shopping centres, such as intu Trafford Centre, intu Lakeside and intu Metrocentre, the 8-week programme will aim to develop young businesses with 
fresh ideas that will help shape the future of the retail and leisure market.
Run in partnership with innovation specialists L Marks, who work with some of the UK’s best known brands, including BMW Group, Arsenal FC, and Wincanton the intu 8-week accelerator programme will fully immerse successful applicants in intu’s business by providing mentorship from senior leadership, as well as experts from across the business and tech worlds.
Those selected will also have the opportunity to pilot and test their products whilst enjoying access to central London office space and potential investment.
David Fischel, intu chief executive, said “Retail is one of the most dynamic industries in the UK, and we are continually looking to work hand-in-hand with some of the best talent out there, bursting with creative ideas, to find new approaches to improve our offer to customers and retailers. I’m very excited to see what this year’s applicants will bring to the table. We’re also hoping to identify start-ups for potential investment which in turn will help us deliver a healthy return.”
intu Accelerate’s 2017 class included BotsAndUs with their robot assistants, GoInStore who create live in-store video experiences for online customers and Soza Health who provide customers health assessments and tailored recommendations to optimise their health.
intu Accelerate 2018 has five categories for startups to apply to:
Capturing physical audiences digitally: How can intu enhance and personalise the shopping experience and better understand their customers’ needs by using data?
Events with a difference: intu want to work with tech startups that can help bring their communities closer together. They want to go above and beyond to surprise and delight their guests - this could be hosting educational events in their centres or opening up empty space for a monthly comedy night.
Virtual shopping assistant: intu are looking to create the most seamless shopping experience for their customers through a virtual shopping assistant. They are looking for technologies that can 
understand their customers’ preferences in order to lead them on a refined, personalised journey through their online channels and in their centres.
Categorising product data: intu are looking for solutions to help them categorise the millions of products on their online virtual shopping centre, intu.co.uk. to improve the customer experience and drive even higher sales for their retailers. They want to hear from teams using visualisation, image recognition and other technologies.
Wildcard: intu like looking for the new, creating something different and looking at things differently, so they had to include an open category for those who like to think out of the box..png "intu accelerator 2018")
Timescales to apply to intu Accelerate 2018
Applications close on the 4th April 2018, with shortlisted startups invited to a Pitch day on 1st May, where the startups will pitch to intu senior leadership to win a place on the programme. The 8-week intensive programme will kick off on the 14th May with demo day then taking place at the end of the programme on the 17th July 2018.
Applications are now open until 4th April, so to apply and for more information and to read over the FAQ’s, head to intuaccelerate.co.uk.
Best of luck to all that apply!
Content written in partnership with L Marks.
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.
The FinTech startup which is shaking up how personal taxes are done in the UK....
leAD Sports is on the hunt for early-stage SportsTech startups to join their latest 12-week Accelerator program in the heart of Europe’s thriving and vibrant startup ecosystem in Berlin.
The London based startup that's analysing the natural interactions between autonomous systems and people
The startup that's using advanced technologies to transform un-recyclable plastics into virgin quality chemicals...
London-based cyber-security startup PixelPin want to simplify security using image-based authentication to replace passwords.
The InsurTech startup which covers the risk of non payment of invoices...
AO, the UK’s leading online-only household appliance and electrical retailer is looking discover and integrate startups with solutions that will help AO’s customers.
.jpeg)
Technology has transformed how people interact. We are on the cusp of an exciting new era in clinical communication, and a key shift in the empowerment of patients as a stakeholder in healthcare.
Exercise made fun thanks to this location-based strategy game for runners and walkers
The innovative Social Community App that's been created for those living & working with Dyslexia and ADHD...
Published on: 13th March 2018
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- leAD Sports Accelerator targets a hat trick of successful SportsTech cohorts 23rd Apr 2019 leAD Sports is on the hunt for early-stage SportsTech startups to join their latest 12-week Accelerator program in the heart of Europe’s thriving and vibrant startup ecosystem in Berlin.
- AO launches Innovation Lab to integrate online retail solutions 17th Apr 2019 AO, the UK’s leading online-only household appliance and electrical retailer is looking discover and integrate startups with solutions that will help AO’s customers.
- EDP searching for startups to join the Starter Acceleration Program 8th Apr 2019 EDP, one of Europe's major electricity operators is currently looking for startups for their new EDP Starter Acceleration Program.
- United Utilities launches Innovation Lab 2.0 21st Mar 2019 Leading UK water and wastewater company United Utilities has launched its second accelerator programme to help innovative businesses grow and develop their solutions through a collaborative approach.
