R/GA Ventures Announces Applications Open for its 2nd IoT Venture Studio UK
Program seeks early and growth stage companies innovating in the Internet of Things
LONDON, 12 October, 2017 – Today R/GA officially
opens the application process for its second R/GA IoT Venture
Studio UK www.rgaiot.com. Following on from the
success of R/GA’s first ever UK Venture program, the IoT Venture
Studio UK will focus on early and growth stage companies looking
to develop connected products and services on a global scale, and
is again launched in collaboration with Innovate UK, the UK
Government’s innovation agency. The program will be based at R/GA
London’s connected headquarters in Shoreditch and will focus on
the overarching areas of IoT and Connected Spaces. Specific themes
of interest will include: Enterprise IoT, Plug and Play Workplace,
Buildings-as-a-platform, Connected Built Environment, Smart
Infrastructure, Retail and Last Mile, Smart Home 2.0, AI and
Advanced Analytics, Voice and Augmented Reality, Blockchain,
Robotics and Actuation, Security and Circular Economy. This
program is open to UK based companies – putting an emphasis on
uncovering local innovation and calling out to UK startups and the
Internet of Things ecosystem to start the conversation.
While the program is open to startups of all stages, it is also
designed to be able to support growth-stage startups. These are,
for example, startups that potentially already have an existing
customer base. As with all R/GA Ventures programs, the selected
companies will have the opportunity to work directly with R/GA’s
award-winning strategic marketing, consulting, branding, design,
and technology teams, and will have access to its network of
clients, industry partners, global brand leaders, mentors, and
investors. Matt Webb will lead the program as Managing
Director.
“The expansion of digital into the physical world has created an
explosion of investment and innovation. Digital technology, such
as A.I., blockchain, A.R, and voice, is more vibrant than ever and
has taken another step up in last twelve months,” said Matt Webb,
Managing Director of R/GA IoT Venture Studio UK. “Based on now
mature IoT technology, digital disruption is entered the real
world faster than ever. The next generation of IoT startups is
creating meaningful value through products and services that touch
the world outside the screen.”
“We’re very excited to kick off our second R/GA Venture Studio
program in the UK. There is a wealth of opportunity in the IoT
space, especially as the UK has a unique blend of deep technology
and engineering, creative product and marketing skills, and
capital,” said Stephen Plumlee, Managing Partner, R/GA Ventures
and Global Chief Operating Officer, R/GA. “We are also delighted
to have Matt Webb on board for another program, I’m sure his
support and guidance will help our next cohort to accelerate their
growth.”
UK-based startups are encouraged to apply, and can submit their
applications from 12 October 2017, through to 4 December 2017. The
program will conclude in spring 2017 with a Demo Event, at which
each company will have the opportunity to present to an audience
of investors, industry leaders, and press. For more information or
to apply, please visit www.rgaiot.com and follow @rgaventures.
About R/GA
R/GA is connected by design. An innovation leader for more than 40
years, R/GA has expanded to offer consulting, ventures,
technology, marketing, architecture, and IP development services
in addition to its award-winning design practice. Its work spans
web, mobile, and social communications, retail and e-commerce,
product innovation, brand development, and business
transformation. The company has more than 2,000 employees globally
with 19 offices across the United States, Europe, South America,
and Asia-Pacific. R/GA Ventures was founded in 2013 and has equity
stakes in 60 startups that have graduated from its Accelerator and
Venture Studio programs. R/GA Ventures is also member of the GAN
(gan.co), a network of the world’s most respected
accelerators and organizations in support of the startup
ecosystem. R/GA is part of The Interpublic Group of Companies
(NYSE:IPG), one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing
services organizations. For more information about R/GA, please
visit www.rga.com and @rgaventures.