John Lewis launches JLAB accelerator for 2016
John Lewis has opened applications for JLAB 2016, its startup accelerator programme.
Now in its third year and run in association with the retailer’s innovation partner L Marks, JLAB supports the development of new ideas and innovation in retail.
Startups taking part are able to benefit from insight offered by John Lewis’ commercial, retail, online and IT directors, and collect public feedback via the use of customer panels. Six months’ free office space will also be made available to one company, as voted for by John Lewis Partners.
John Lewis said the scheme aspires to produce a product or service that will help shape the retail experience for customers of the future.
Based in John Lewis’ London headquarters, the participants will work with “top-level” mentors for 12 weeks who are assigned according to specific industry expertise.
In addition, startups will have access to capital from the dedicated microfund attached to the programme. Each team will be eligible to apply for funding of up to £100,000 from the total pot of £200,000, in exchange for equity in their company.
John Lewis said innovations from the 2016 JLAB will be designed to meet the needs of the modern day John Lewis shopper and is inviting startups to collaborate with the retailer in one of five categories.
These include health and wellbeing, tech for kids, technology to simplify customers’ lives, and bringing digital inspiration to shops to help John Lewis to further understand customers’ in store behaviour. The latter will also include enhancing the experience in store through self-service and other innovations
In addition, there will be a “Surprise Us” category for innovations that do not fit a particular category.
Paul Coby, IT director at John Lewis, said: “JLAB is about bringing disruption and innovation to the retail industry – we want to develop ideas and technology that really excite John Lewis shoppers. To do this, it’s essential that we work collaboratively with fast-growing businesses to add value to their operations. Under mentorship from John Lewis, JLAB startups will have a unique opportunity to hone their ideas and create a product which has a genuinely positive impact on our customers.
“We’ve seen from previous years the value of combining an agile startup mentality with John Lewis’ extensive industry knowledge, and I’m personally looking forward to working with the 2016 applicants.”
Applications are now open, and will close at midnight on 8 May. John Lewis and L Marks will then select up to five startups to complete the 12 week JLAB programme, commencing in July 2016. The overall winner will be announced at a showcase event in September 2016.
