Startup Applications Open for Plug and Play's Sixth Brand & Retail Batch

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- After running five successful batches in its Brand & Retail platform, Plug and Play is recruiting the next batch of 20-30 elite startups to solve the biggest challenges facing brands and retailers today.

"Since inception in 2013, the Plug and Play Brand and Retail Innovation Platform has accelerated more than 100 leading startups in the industry," says Michael Olmstead, VP Corporate Partnerships at Plug and Play. "In the past 3 years alone, the program has witnessed eight acquisitions and over 50 pilots. Now, we're accepting startups for our next batch."

Josh Hamilton from Bringsy, alumni of the Batch 5, talks about his experience at Plug and Play: "It was altogether a brilliant and amazing opportunity for us [Bringsy] and I would recommend, without a doubt, to get in this program…This place brings people together in a way that is just extraordinary."

Plug and Play has developed eight themed innovation platforms that aim to discover and invest in the best startups around the globe. By uniting different players across each major industry, Plug and Play paints a holistic picture and solves innovation gaps using a collaborative model. The Brand and Retail platform connects forward thinking retailers, CPGs, solution providers and mall operators to collectively gather technology interests and drive sourcing efforts for the program.

"Working with an extensive Fortune 500 and corporate network enables us to partner closely with great corporations and bring together next-generation technology and large-scale impact…what could be better?" describes Eric Theofanis from Everfave.

The Brand and Retail Innovation Platform runs a 12-week acceleration program, twice a year, for 20-30 startups selected out of an average of 800 applications. Startups that are accepted into the program are introduced to Plug and Play's network of over 100 corporate partners, 250 venture capitalists and hundreds of thought leaders for funding, business development opportunities and strategic partnerships. The program also offers a number of service partners, mentors, pitch polishing sessions and networking events.

Brand and Retail's Batch 6 program will begin in July and culminate with an EXPO in October. The sourcing focuses on topics like ad-tech, loyalty & reward services, logistics solutions, robotics, payment systems, personalization, data analytics and consumer insights. Startups looking to join Plug and Play's Brand and Retail innovation platform can now apply to Batch 6, which starts in July: http://bit.ly/startup-apply

About Plug and Play Tech Center
Plug and Play Tech Center is the world's largest global technology accelerator and venture fund. Since inception in 2006, our program has expanded worldwide to include entrepreneurs from 24 countries, providing necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley. With over 350 startups and 300 corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem. Plug and Play provides active investments with 180 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and more than 365 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $3.5 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, PayPal, SoundHound, and Zoosk. For more information, visit: http://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com 

Media Contact:
Allison Romero
Phone: 408-524-1457
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Plug and Play Tech Center

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