L Marks maps out a bold vision to further help corporates and startups work together
by Startacus Admin
Innovation specialists and early-stage investors L Marks have launched five new innovation products, designed to 
help corporates and startups work together more effectively. Keen to find out more, we took a look over the key details.
Innovation specialists and early-stage investors L Marks are best known for collaborating and partnering with some of the UK's best known brands to identify the challenges in their business, then create bespoke partnership and startup scouting projects and turn these into opportunities for improvement and innovation.
From their recent innovation projects with BMW Group, Arsenal FC, Belron, and Mishcon de Reya through to their programmes with corporate stalwarts such as IAG and Wincanton, it’s fair to say that L Marks have their finger on the pulse when it comes to how startups and corporates can effectively both collaborate and also work together.
However, L Marks are now also leveraging their expertise and experience to deliver five entirely new programmes, ranging from supporting tomorrow's entrepreneurs, to enabling large businesses to develop their own internal think tanks, through to providing startups with the opportunity to join corporate innovation programmes at any time.
Aimed at complementing the existing accelerator programmes which L Marks run, Daniel Saunders, Chief Executive of L Marks, explained:
"As leaders in applied corporate innovation, we've curated these new initiatives based on our experiences and ability to deliver quantifiable value to our corporate partners and ensure they engage with startups in a way that complements the traditional accelerator model."
In brief, the five new innovation products from L Marks are:
Young Sparks
Young Sparks is designed to provide tomorrow's entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, support, investment, and commercial relationships with global corporates. Open to 11-18 year-olds with an aspiring interest in business and innovation, the first corporate-supported Young Sparks programme will take place this summer.
Launchpad
Launchpad enables large businesses to develop their own internal think tanks and develop strategies to tackle their key commercial challenges - all in the space of three days. Launchpad is bringing together corporate executives and employees from a range of disciplines and is also facilitating the development of solutions that are directly addressing corporate business opportunities and challenges.
The Network
The Network is bringing together L Marks' network of leading figures across 20 different industries at a series of global events to promote cross-sector innovation. Events include the Innovation World Tour L Marks Innovation Day, roundtable discussions on local issues; sessions with thought leaders, and pre-commercial showcases of emerging technologies. Innovation World Tour showcases global tech hubs including Europe, USA and Israel.
Innovation 52
In order to make startup collaboration a key part of their business operations, L Marks has created a continuous accelerator programme that runs throughout the year. Startups will now be able to apply to work with L Marks' corporate partners at any time with successful teams joining one of three accelerator cohorts, gaining access to mentors, data and trialing opportunities with the corporate partner
Challenge Sprints
Encouraging a continual innovation strategy, L Marks is running a rapid startup scouting process based on challenge sprints. As individual challenges are set, the process is fast paced with the launch, scouting, onboarding and integration within the corporate partner all taking place within a few months.
We look forward to seeing how the five programmes further cement L Marks’ position as a leading specialist in corporate and startup innovation.
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.
Small Robot Company, a British agritech robotics startup for sustainable farming, has raised £1.2 million via equity crowdfunding.
Cycle.land, the bike sharing marketplace unlocking the assets of unused bikes, raises over £200k thanks to their successful 2nd equity crowdfunding campaign on Seedrs.
IgniteNI looks to build on legacy with 2nd accelerator programme and San Fran base for 5 selected founders. Applications close asap so be quick to apply.
The startup that's creating technologies to measure and demonstrate sustainability in the food chain.
The lowdown on the London based barbershop and app that will come to you...
UrbanVolt - The Lighting as a Service startup that is on a mission to radically reduce global energy consumption...
From understanding what counts as intellectual property, to what to do if you think IP theft has occurred, we chatted to Andrew Kirke, Director at commercial law firm Tughans to find out more.
The startup that has created the world’s first video-only review and booking platform...
Nottingham based early-stage startups and entrepreneurs take note - here's the lowdown on key startup support and help available where you are...
New app friendrequest aims to connect people, taking 'social' offline and to lead the way in facilitating real-life friendship.
Published on: 15th February 2018
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Cycle.land raises £200k to continue their bike sharing journey 16th Jan 2019 Cycle.land, the bike sharing marketplace unlocking the assets of unused bikes, raises over £200k thanks to their successful 2nd equity crowdfunding campaign on Seedrs.
- IgniteNI Accelerator to offer startups San Francisco landing pad 14th Dec 2018 Ignite Accelerator is putting investment-ready tech companies on a global stage thanks to their new San Francisco 'landing pad'.
- Falmouth University Launchpad incubates tech legacy 7th Dec 2018 Developed by Falmouth University in Cornwall, Launchpad is an innovative, post-grad incubation and acceleration programme. We take a look at some of the previous Launchpad alumni.
- Ignite Accelerator 2019 opens for North East England startups 16th Nov 2018 North East of England entrepreneurs and startups take note! The Ignite accelerator, a 6 month remote accelerator for MVP stage founders or teams is back.
