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Tech City UK’s £1 million Launchpad IoT competition is now open for entries.
At the launch of London Technology Week, Joanna Shields, Tech City UK Chair, announced that applications are now being accepted, calling IoT “the next bright spot” in technology.
“The competition is for any company, hardware or software – whatever you have that can help us create a market around the Internet of Things.”
Announced by Prime Minister David Cameron in March, the competition is the result of collaboration between Tech City UK, the Technology Strategy Board and Cambridge Wireless to provide support for early and growth stage businesses working in the IoT space.
As the inaugural London Technology Week and IOT Week 2014 get underway, the competition organisers have named a raft of leading brands that have pledged support for IoT innovation by committing investment, retail space and business mentoring to the successful SMEs:
- EE will provide retail and marketing space across selected EE stores, along with marketing support and distribution channels for any appropriate winners.
- John Lewis will consider listing any suitable products from the winning companies for an agreed period, offering point of sale, business and marketing support and mentoring.
- Unilever has agreed to match funding up to 50% for any suitable competition winners and offer them business and marketing support along with mentorship.
- Seedcamp will match funding for a number of suitable winners, as well as offer business support and mentorship.
- Red Gate will provide office space for shortlisted applicants, potential match funding, mentoring, business support, and marketing support for some of the successful applicants.
Details for applications and further information can be found at www.techcityuk.com/iot_launchpad.
The closing date for submissions is September 3rd, 2014.
