Belron & L Marks Are Seeking Startups From Spain To Join Their UK Accelerator

Global auto and glass expert Belron, together with the startup investment fund L Marks, is launching a new UK accelerator program called Drive. The globally-oriented program is designed to validate innovative new business models in international markets. Each startup chosen for the Drive Accelerator will be partnered directly with one of Belron’s participating countries – USA, Canada, Spain, France and Germany – to test their products with the full-fledged support of a multinational powerhouse in the auto industry. With the deadline fast application approaching, Belron is narrowing down the entrepreneurs and innovators that will participate in the 12-week program running May – July 2016.

What’s The Offer? €250.000 Fund plus €100.000 Bonus Investment

L Marks, the global investment fund specialising in corporate innovation, has earmarked €250,000 for the selected Drive startups and every company will have the opportunity to attend the Best of Belron event in Lisbon this May.

See what Belron’s Head of Digital & Innovative Technology, Nick Burton, had to say before launching the Drive program.

“We’re thrilled to be launching Drive. Our team is looking forward to learning how entrepreneurs think and approach problem solving, which will challenge us to think and act differently. And by giving these startups unparalleled access to our brands around the world, along with education and investment support, we can help them accelerate their businesses too”.

Both early and growth stage startups are welcomed to apply to the Drive program.

Belron is looking to innovate their business and want startups that can improve their customers relationships and experience, improve their productivity and efficiency, as well as engagement with employees and other features.

Each startups in the program will have access to up to €100.000 in funding and pitch their product at the Drive Demo Day on July 14th in London. The winner of the 2016 Drive program will receive up to €100.000 in bonus funding from the L Marks and Belron joint fund.

From London to the World

If your startup has a global vision, there’s no better city than London to make your dream a reality. But not every startup can just pickup and move to the most expensive city in Europe. This may be your golden ticket as the program is held in Belron’s London offices.

Applications are now open and startups have until March 27th deadline to apply. On April 26, the pre-selected startups will pitch their ideas and the finalists will be announced on May 1st.

As well as funding and office space, the startups will also receive mentorship from Belron’s executives and experienced entrepreneurs. But perhaps the biggest benefit of the Drive program is the possibility to trial your product in a live international market. There’s no faster way to learn and no better education than the one you’ll get when you launch your product on the open market.  If that weren’t enough, the chosen finalists also get to attend the annual “Best of Belron” conference in Lisbon in May 2016 and interact with Belron’s global partners from more than 34 countries.

There’s still time to get involved and interested startups should waste no time and APPLY HERE.