Wincanton innovation programme W2 Labs looks to tech startups
by Startacus Admin
Startups looking to drive innovation within the logistics and supply chain space - this could be for you! 
Wincanton, the largest British logistics company, is once again looking for tech startups to pitch their solutions for industry specific challenges, as part of their returning W2 Labs innovation programme.
Providing supply chain solutions to some of the world’s most admired brands across a wide range of industries 
including retail, construction, defence and energy, Wincanton is again partnership with corporate innovation specialists and early-stage investors, L Marks.
Innovation specialists L Marks, work with clients such as Arsenal FC, BMW and International Airlines Group (IAG) to identify where they believe the challenges are in their businesses and then turn these into opportunities for improvement and innovation.
For the Wincanton W2 Labs programme, Startups are invited to demonstrate how they can offer innovation within key supply chain and logistics areas such as:
- Maximum Visibility – They are looking for better ways to see how everything moves through the whole supply chain, from source to destination; every product, every asset, everything.
- Warehouse of the future – considering areas such as automation, greater efficiency and how future warehouses be run.
- Intelligent decision making – Using smart data to anticipating and predict supply chain outcomes, monitor quality, plot demand, etc.
- Open Season / Wild Card. This year focusing on SafetyTech - in particular, for both Wincanton employees and the general public.
ZigZag, a tech business, which helps online retailers improve their customer service and international returns proposition, talked about their experience on last year’s W2 Labs programme:
“We’re already confident in our ZigZag solution yet logistics is a huge industry and there are many verticals we have not yet touched on. With the guidance and support of the Wincanton team we have been able to look at new and innovative ways of using the ZigZag platform to improve the returns process in other sectors.” - Al Gerrie, ZigZag Founder
Startups selected to take part in the 12-week programme will gain the opportunity to trial their products at scale, receive industry specific mentorship and have the chance to pitch for investment from both Wincanton and L Marks.
Applications to join the programme close on the 21st October 2018, with shortlisted startups then invited to a W2 Labs Pitch Day, where startups will then pitch their innovation in the hope of being chosen for the latest W2 Labs cohort who will join the 12-week innovation programme.
Good luck to all that apply and make sure to visit W2 Labs, where you can read over all of the key details and dates and to make that all important application.
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Published on: 18th September 2018
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