Media release - Today Vodafone is ushering in the next leap forward in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things), with applications open for the successful accelerator programme, Vodafone xone.

Vodafone xone is a start-up accelerator and innovation lab through which Vodafone partners with early and late stage start-ups, who have ground-breaking technology ideas. Eight start-ups will receive a total package valued at more than $150,000 each, including seed-funding, and access to world class technology and mentoring as part of a six-month programme.

Head of Xone and Innovation Manager Lauren Merritt said this year the emphasis is on working with Kiwi start-ups with clever ideas in the AI, IoT and data analytics sectors.

“We are keen to see applications from across the country, and eager to also see ideas that can be harnessed to drive social change, as Vodafone is all about connecting for good. We will be getting hands-on with the companies selected, ensuring their business mentors help take their ideas to the next level.

“We want ideas that will make a massive impact on New Zealand, and we will help those start-ups go global, by leveraging our international networks,” Lauren said.

Vodafone Consumer Director Matt Williams is delighted with the results achieved by last year’s cohort.

“We launched Vodafone xone with an ambition to find the best mobile and digital technologies in New Zealand, and take them to the world through Vodafone’s international network.

“Since xone’s inception the start-ups have generated more than $11.5 million in new revenue, attracted more than $9.6 million in capital funding, and created 46 new jobs, all while beginning operations in countries around the world. Individually they’ve created some amazing new technologies,” Matt said.

One of those companies is Parkable, an app that aims to change the way people park, through a system of shareable parking utilising unused space from driveways to company carparks.

CEO Toby Littin said being part of Vodafone xone was invaluable.

“Even the application process helped us get our pitch right, and then once we were in the programme it was absolute gold. We learnt new skills, got new contacts, development partnerships from an R and D perspective, it was all incredible in enabling a huge amount of commercial opportunity to develop.

“One of the more intangible things is the peer to peer counselling sessions, being able to rub shoulders with other great businesses sharing the same pains and opportunities that we do. We said when we launched Parkable we wanted to operate in 35 countries, and during our time at Vodafone we have had significant opportunities open up,” Toby said.

Vodafone xone is now open for applications from 15 March until 15 April 2018.

For more on Vodafone xone, head to https://vodafonexone.nz