Wincanton’s W² Labs set to drive startup innovation

by Startacus Admin

British logistics company Wincanton has launched W² Labs – a fab looking new programme aimed at challenging startups from around the world to develop innovative solutions to industry challenges defined by the Wincanton Group.

Wincanton is a leading third party logistics and supply chain solutions provider in the UK and Ireland working across various industry sectors from defence, milk, energy, retail, consumer goods and construction.

Wincanton’s W² Labs, run in partnership with our friends and corporate innovation specialists L Marks, are looking for applications from both early-stage and establishing startup businesses who can offer innovative solutions in the following key business areas:

• Improving asset utilisation – improving the management of both internal and customer assets.

• Accessing and brokering excess space – helping Wincanton buy and sell underutilized warehouse space and transport capacity

• Connected cab and driver technology – creating a better connection between the driver in the cab and vehicle to improve safety, increase efficiency and deliver a better driving experience.

• Data challenges – enhancing the value of our data to improve decision making.

• Wildcard – this is an open category for ideas that could help Wincanton make breakthrough developments in its business model or supply chain market.

In return this programme will offer startups:

• The chance to trial your product / solution with Wincanton

• Access funding from Wincanton and L Marks

• Receive mentoring from Senior Wincanton Executives

• Gain insights from subject matter experts through a top-notch education programme

Mentors will include senior executives from Wincanton, experts within the wider Wincanton business, entrepreneurs and external subject matter experts. The first-class mentorship on offer means successful startups will have the chance to learn from experienced subject matter experts, who will be on hand to help at the dedicated office at Wincanton’s headquarters. Each startup will then have opportunities to pitch for investment from both Wincanton and L Marks.

Zero equity is taken in exchange for joining W² Labs, however Wincanton and L Marks have allocated capital to invest in the startups invited to participate in W2 Labs - happy days.

Applications

Applications for W² Labs are open until 9th April 2017, with the best entries invited to pitch in late spring. A 10-week intensive collaboration period, run from the 5th June – 5th September, between Wincanton and the selected startups will then follow, with concepts being demonstrated at the end of the process. At this stage, the concepts could be progressed on a longer-term commercial basis by the W² Labs partners.

So if you reckon you’ve the drive for this corporate innovation programme, then simply head over to Wincanton’s W2 Labs to find out all, read over all the FAQ’s and of course apply!

Best wishes to all that apply and hi-5’s all-round to Wincanton and L Marks for this fab looking corporate programme.

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Published on: 13th March 2017