Belron, a global vehicle glass repair and replacement group, is looking for startups to join its acceleration program.
Drive, the 10-week global accelerator, which follows a pilot run in 2016, will continue to seek disruptive startups who can effectively improve the company’s operations, and want to trial their products with a global organization.
Run with innovation partner L Marks, the accelerator is looking for startups that can help Belron innovate in the following areas:
– Customer Conversion, looking for solutions and approaches that can help convert every potential customer however they make contact.
– Service Experience, looking for solutions that will help customers to help themselves get the service experience they want.
– Capability and Engagement, looking for innovative ways to deliver training, connect and facilitate communication for employees.
– Supporting Insurers, looking for insurtech solutions that can help insurance partners retain or upsell to their policyholders, or that can help them handle their claims (including vehicle glass) efficiently.
– Digital Problem Solving, looking for solutions that could leverage the company’s strengths in vehicle glass repair and replacement to bring them to other types of everyday problems.
Applications for the accelerator need to be submitted by 29 January 2017. The teams getting through the initial selection process will be invited to pitch for a place in March. The program will begin in April 2017. Participating startups will be partnered with one of the company’s businesses around the globe and will have the opportunity to trial their product in a ready-made international market, access to expert mentors from senior leadership and experienced entrepreneurs, as well as desk space at the company’s UK premises just outside London.
Additionally, Belron and L Marks will make available a fund of £200k to invest in participating companies.
The 12-week pilot accelerator, launched in February 2016, was designed to fast track the growth of startups that could improve Belron operations and its approach to delivering an improved customer experience, and enhancing engagement of field technicians.
75 startups applied for the program, 25 of them participated in the pitch day, in April 2016, to share their products and solutions.
The 4 startups selected were:
– Atta, which partnered with Belron Canada to leverage gamification techniques to increase engagement with employees.
– Sorry as a Service, which partnered with Autoglass UK to help the company’s employees apologize to customers who have not received the expected level of service.
– Smart Calling, which provides InCalling, a product that lets customers see the identity of a caller (with logo’s and interactive options) before answering the call. The company partnered with Berlon France and Germany
– TheThings.io, which provides applications in the Spanish supply chain.
FinSMEs
04/01/2017