Rolls-Royce invests further in startup ecosystem with Startupbootcamp IoT sponsorship

24 April 2018 :As part of its commitment to building an ecosystem of data innovation partners, Rolls-Royce has become a sponsor of Startupbootcamp IoT, a three-month growth programme that helps up to 10 Internet of Things (IoT) startups validate, build and grow their business. The participating startups will be selected and mentored by R² Data Labs, the data innovation catalyst inside Rolls-Royce.

Startupbootcamp is among the world’s leading startup growth programmes, with over 80% of the more than 500 participating businesses it has helped over the past eight years, continuing to thrive today. Rolls-Royce is the main sponsor of the London-based Startupbootcamp IoT, one of 21 programmes running globally. Ten exciting prospects will be selected from hundreds of global applicants from a wide range of IoT focus areas – from Smart Energy and Manufacturing, to VR and AR applications for industrial business.

Caroline Gorski, Director for Global Ecosystem and Partnerships for R² Data Labs said: “We believe our own data innovation is made exponentially more powerful by working within a rich ecosystem of data technology innovators. So this sponsorship of Startupbootcamp and the potential to share in the energy and inventiveness of these IoT startups, goes to the heart of our collaborative digital strategy.”

Participating startups are given access to a broad base of business and technical mentors, hardware professionals, corporate sponsors, and exposure to over 400 potential investors, customers and partners at the demo day. Free office space with a fast-prototyping lab is also provided. Through workshops, one-to-one sessions and events, Startupbootcamp’s aim is to get each startup to market quicker and help them secure follow-on funding. The intensive nature of Startupbootcamp is designed to achieve the equivalent of a year’s development and progress for each startup – but over just three months.

“The accelerated concept behind Startupbootcamp is also something we really associate with,” added Caroline Gorski. “Our extensive programme of R² Data Labs data innovation cells operates in a similar way, working in 90-day sprints to explore and realise value from data for Rolls-Royce and its customers.”

Raph Crouan, Founder and Managing Director of Startupbootcamp IoT, said: “Our aim is to make the journey of building a connected hardware startup clearer, shorter, and more successful for entrepreneurs. This partnership with Rolls-Royce can only support that aim. Having access to the advanced analytics and cutting-edge engineering capability of Rolls-Royce will be a huge benefit to our startups.”

Neil Crockett, Chief Digital Officer for Rolls-Royce and Head of R² Data Labs said: “I’m really happy Rolls-Royce can be part of the great work being done by Startupbootcamp. There should be a win-win here. On the one hand, our role is to be a useful industrial sounding board for the startups. While on the other, we can tap into their exciting thinking and potential in a way that accelerates our data innovation – both for our customers and to find new efficiencies internally.”

R² Data Labs already partners with Tata Consultancy Services and Microsoft, two globally-recognised digital service providers. This sponsorship follows the recently announced partnership agreements with IoT Tribe North and Seraphim Space Camp Accelerator, two leading accelerators for tech start-ups.