Search
Close this search box.

John Lewis names its technology incubator finalists

This is an archived article - we have removed images and other assets but have left the text unchanged for your reference

John Lewis has named the five technology companies that will take a space in its JLAB incubator.

Localz, Musaic, SpaceDesigned, Tap2Connect, and Viewsy took part in a pitch day to win a place in the retailer’s first incubator. They will now be given dedicated office space at its Canary Wharf JLAB hub as well as initial funding of £12,500 and access to mentors including Luke Johnson, chairman of Risk Capital Partners and Sarah Murray, founder of confused.com as well as John Lewis leaders.

JLAB will officially open on Monday June 9.

Paul Coby, IT Director at John Lewis, (pictured centre) said: “It’s been a privilege to see so many varied and innovative ideas submitted to JLAB, and narrowing the applicants down to our final five was a very difficult task. We’re confident that the JLAB finalists each have an idea with real potential to either improve the shopping experience or offer customers something new to use in the home. I’m looking forward to working with them over the next few months to help make their ideas a reality.”

Stuart Marks, technology entrepreneur and partner in JLAB, (pictured right) said: “We were very pleased with the quality of companies that attended the pitch day. We are certain that the companies that we have selected will thrive at JLAB over the summer and benefit from the exceptional mentoring team and access to the John Lewis business. Every company has the potential to win and it will be exciting to watch how they develop.”

The finalists

In-store digital engagement system Localz uses proximity and iBeacon technology to let retailers know when their best shoppers arrive in store.

Wireless sound system Musaic is designed to integrate fully with smart homes, streaming music from any platform to any room in a house.

SpaceDesigned is an online app which allows consumers to accurately create and view virtual 3D versions of rooms in their house, adding potential new furniture to see how they might look.

Tap2Connect uses smart labels to enable consumers and retailers to track a product’s lifecycle and on-going service or repairs.

Viewsy is an in-store digital engagement system that uses in-store sensors to track customers’ behaviour as they move through the store, allowing retailers to better understand them and make better decisions.



Read More

Register for Newsletter

Group 4 Copy 3Created with Sketch.

Receive 3 newsletters per week

Group 3Created with Sketch.

Gain access to all Top500 research

Group 4Created with Sketch.

Personalise your experience on IR.net