Asos Ventures, the corporate venture arm of online fashion retailer
Asos, has launched a global search in partnership with Wayra UK to find the
world’s most innovative fashion technology start-ups.
The eight month long accelerator, which will be housed at Wayra’s London
offices, is looking for “mature start-ups with a proven track record” of
developing technologies, products and services that complement the Asos
experience to help the online retailer improve and personalise its customer
experience for its 11 million customers worldwide.
Asos is looking for start-ups who can offer technologies that could
enhance the customer experience across web and mobile, and that offer
better fulfilment solutions or new ways of understanding and rewarding
customers. With the online retailer clearly stating that it is not looking
for start-ups in the wearable tech, 3D printing or fashion design space at
this time.
The scheme, in partnership with Wayra UK, the start-up accelerator arm
of Spanish broadband and telecommunications provider Telefónica, will see a
select number of start-ups receiving up to 34,000 pounds in funding, as
well as a dedicated office space, access to mentors and business
development services, and masterclasses throughout the eight-month scheme.
“Asos has always been known as a digital leader and this partnership
will help us continue to serve the needs of our customers as they evolve,”
said Cliff Cohen, Asos CIO. “There are specific areas where we would like
to accelerate innovation, but we are also excited to hear what ideas come
back from the start-ups themselves. The potential here, for Asos, our
customers and the companies we end up working with, is huge and Wayra UK is
the perfect partner to work with on this search.”
The deadline for the Asos and Wayra UK acceleration programme is 9am on
Monday, May 23. Those start-ups selected will go through to the semi-finals
on May 26, which will take place at Asos’ offices, and the final will be
held on June 2 at the Wayra academy. The eight-month programme will start
in July.
Image: Asos website