element14 unveils IoT start up support programme

The accelerator programme, which launched on 2 March 2016, is seeking applications from startups across the world with a focus on innovation in Consumer or Industrial IoT, for example, Wearables, the Connected Home, Industrial IoT and Smart Retail.

Ten startups will be selected to engage in an intensive three-month programme starting in September 2016, with each one receiving €15,000 and guidance and support from mentors, partners and investors, including element14. The programme will take place in a brand new, 70,000 sq ft fast prototyping lab at Cocoon Networks in London.

As a corporate partner, element14 will play an integral role in supporting the startups in taking their initial concepts through to a finished product, in an aggressive three-month development process.

Among products and services that element14 will offer are an extensive technical expertise and an established global channel to market: It will also help start ups with  advanced electronic engineering and hardware design services, creation of prototypes right through to volume manufacturing and access to the engineering expertise, ideas and support of the 400,000 members of the element14 Community

At the end of the three-month acceleration, the programme’s startups will pitch their company to 250+ investors and mentors on a Demo Day, set to take place on 7 December 2016.

Steven Webb, General Counsel at element14, said: “The IoT is a rapidly developing market and is expected to contain as many as 30 billion connected devices by 2020. New startups play a crucial role in fulfilling the IoT’s potential, acting as a significant source of fresh ideas that will generate growth in both consumer and industrial markets. However, if truly innovative solutions are to be developed, we must provide greater support for ideas beyond access to products.

“element14 is ideally placed to spearhead a new generation of innovation in the IoT through the Startupbootcamp initiative and enable startups navigate this complex and evolving field. We have helped to bring to market some of the world’s leading electronics products, including the Raspberry Pi, CodeBug and most recently the BBC Micro:bit, and by championing innovation in our sector, we look forward to finding the next big innovations in electronics-related design.”

Raph Crouan, founder of Startupbootcamp, comments: “Our programme is designed to provide successful startup applicants with unprecedented guidance and access to mentors, partners and investors in the IoT and hardware. element14 is such a relevant and appropriate community for this programme that it will play a critical role in our wide-ranging network, providing a full range of products and services to help entrepreneurs take their IoT concepts to the next level.” Startups can apply for the Startupbootcamp IoT | Connected Devices programme on http://startupbootcamp.org/accelerator/iot-connected-devices.html. Applications close 13 June 2016.