SEAT today hosted Startup Day, the event where company executives and Conector partners gained first-hand insights into the projects by eight candidate startups which are vying to take place in the first SEAT Accelerator by Conector programme. Of these, a maximum of five will be selected to begin the acceleration phase next November and will follow the Conector method.
The Startup Day kicks off a programme aimed at accelerating projects whose business model centres on the automotive industry, mobility and logistics. From July to September a total of 42 startups submitted an application, of which a committee made up of Conector partners shortlisted the eight that made it to Startup Day.
Highlights among the activities covered by the projects presented at today’s event include solutions related to the collaborative economy and the connected car, as well as the development of software, marketplace, electric mobility and safety. The scrutinized business models propose new mobility services and income sources related to apps, on-board infotainment and vehicle management systems and connected services.
Taking part in the event were SEAT President Luca de Meo, Vice-President for Finance, IT and Organisation Holger Kintscher, Vice-President for Sales and Marketing Wayne Griffiths, Vice-President for R&D, Dr. Matthias Rabe, and Vice-President for Human Resources Xavier Ros.
Luca de Meo highlighted the potential and the innovative value of the participating startups and stressed SEAT’s commitment to entrepreneurs who contribute new solutions to the car and mobility sector. “Accelerating startups enables us to encourage innovation as well as exchange knowledge and access the best talent. We know the auto industry and the customers, and the entrepreneurs have a fresh perspective and contribute new ideas. For SEAT, the partnership with Conector amounts to accelerating our vision for the future, which includes promoting the development of a mobility ecosystem with partners, foster synergies and integrate digital platforms into our business model”.
For Conector founding partner Carlos Blanco “it is no easy task finding good startups within the same sector. However, all eight of the entrepreneurs who pitched their project today were extremely suitable. I am certain that with the support of Conector and SEAT mentors we will soon see startups with huge potential in the automotive sector, one which still leaves room for further innovation”.
Beginning in November, the selected startups will set up in the SEAT offices in Martorell, where they will receive assistance from the company and follow the Conector method. The programme is scheduled to run for five months and prior to completion there will be a Demo Day, an event where the entrepreneurs will present their projects to a Group of investors and business angels.
