King's launches 20 innovative new startups
King’s College London has today announced the 20 new startups it will support on its 2017 King’s20 accelerator.
The unique 12-month programme, run by the Entrepreneurship Institute, provides mentorship from leading entrepreneurs, revenue generating support, access to investors and accelerator space in Bush House, home to King’s newly launched Business School in the heart of central London.
The 20 early-stage ventures selected from nearly 200 applicants include those from artificial intelligence, machine learning, sport, education, retail, food & beverage, medtech, cryptocurrency, design, fashion, tourism and social impact.
Founded by King’s students, staff and alumni they include; Mila: a platform that can understand and analyse any human activity or behaviour using Artificial Intelligence, Principium: which uses deep learning to allow receptionists to scan mail and automatically send a notification to tenants, Museum 2.0: a VR museum experience, Beau Nuage: a magic umbrella that uses microfibre to keep dry in your bag, and Aquae Vitae: a water battery that desalinates and purifies water while generating electricity.
The ventures will be launched tonight (3 October) at a special event on the 8th floor roof terrace of Bush House to an audience of 100 leading investors and stakeholders. Keynote speeches will be given by Luke Johnson, serial entrepreneur and former owner of Pizza Express, and Sarah Wood, Cofounder and CEO of Unruly.
Ahead of the event Luke Johnson said;
“Entrepreneurs tend to flourish with the right support around them – things like mentorship, funding, and the opportunity to work alongside other startups. I’m confident that the entrepreneurs on the accelerator at King’s are well placed to develop highly successful new ventures. I’m pleased to be supporting the vital work here at the university's Entrepreneurship Institute."
Sarah Wood said;
“Accelerators like King’s20 play a vital role in supporting early-stage entrepreneurs. Having been an academic myself, I am really excited that King’s is investing in developing the skills and mindsets of young entrepreneurs and using the university’s best resources to help them create game-changing ideas.”
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Principal, King’s College London commented;
"It takes tenacity, grit, and a whole lot of hustle to build a business. King’s20 provides the supportive space needed for that journey to happen. Our work in developing entrepreneurial young minds comes at a vital time, with public money squeezed, emerging technologies changing our lives faster than policy can keep up, and new and ever-changing demands placed on young people in the world of work. It is our responsibility to evolve and meet these needs, and at King's we are proud to be doing so at the Entrepreneurship Institute and beyond.”
Arthur Zargaryan, Founder, Principium and King’s20 participant said;
“At the Kings 20 accelerator, stagnation is not an option, you are always encouraged to move forward, grow and try. The extensive network of tools, mentors and opportunities magnifies this culture of action, making your companies grow exponentially.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS
1. King’s20 accelerator application is open to all students, staff & alumni. The 2017 programme runs from 3 October 2017 – 14 September 2018
2. The Entrepreneurship Institute is King’s College London’s dedicated entrepreneurship hub. Focusing on the development of leadership, the Institute provides support and opportunities for King’s students, staff and alumni of up to seven years, throughout their careers and start-up journeys.
3. King’s College London is a research-based university in central London. It is ranked in the top 25 universities in the world and in the top seven UK universities for research earnings. It has an overall annual income of more than £684 million, 27,600 students (including nearly 10,500 postgraduates) from 150 countries and 6,800 employees.
4. Contact Amy Lothian amy.lothian@kcl.ac.uk 07730551102, Entrepreneurship Institute, King’s College London, Bush House, 30 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BG www.kcl.ac.uk/entrepreneurship-institute
5. Read about the 20 ventures in our Lookbook 2017