17 June 2015 – Lions Innovation has today announced the successful applicants for the inaugural Start-Up Academy which will be part of the new Festival.
Following an exhaustive global search that netted over 100 submissions, 10 start-ups have been selected by a panel including representatives of Lions Innovation and R/GA (who the Academy was created in partnership with). They are:
1. LISNR – Cincinnati, OH, USA
A new communication platform that uses high frequency audio tones to interact with devices.
2. eBrandValue – Mountain View, CA, USA / Istanbul, Turkey
Integrates sales and marketing data with social signal management, enabling marketers to interrogate social data to increase the value of a brand and sales in real time.
3. MOSH. – New York, USA / Sydney, Australia
New digital platform for brands, artists, and causes that strengthens engagement with fans and customers.
4. Ingenious Smart Home – Istanbul, Turkey
Plug-and-play system designed to control home energy consumption through learned behaviour.
5. Laurel & Wolf – Los Angeles, CA, USA
Online interior design marketplace that makes professional interior design affordable and accessible.
6. Narratively – Brooklyn, NY, USA
Multimedia publication and content studio devoted to untold human stories.
7. Chargifi – London, UK
Wireless power transmitters providing a platform for interaction in public spaces.
8. In Loco Media – Recife, Brazil
Indoor location technology combined with a targeted adtech platform.
9. White Ops – New York, NY, USA
Pioneer in online advertising fraud detection.
10. SnowShoe Stamp – Madison, WI, USA
Creates small pieces of plastic that serve as physical keys to engaging digital content on mobile devices.
“As R/GA expands globally, we’ve looked at hundreds of international start-ups. We’re excited to work with the select companies, who represent the best in marketing and communication innovations around the world,” said Stephen Plumlee, Global Chief Operating Officer, R/GA and Managing Partner, R/GA Ventures. “These companies reflect not only the diversity and the vibrancy of the marketing landscape, but also the global start-up community.”
Start-up Academy attendees have received passes to the Festival and will take part in a programme of mentorship sessions with the likes of R/GA Founder Bob Greenberg; CEO of Interpublic Group, Michael Roth; CCO of Facebook, Mark D’Arcy; Senior Director, Global Brand Development at McDonald’s, Matt Biespiel and Rob Norman, Chief Digital Officer of GroupM. The Academy is led by Paul Woolmington, co-founder of Naked Communications Americas, angel investor, advisor and advocate for the role of technology in branded communications.
They will also get an exclusive introduction to the leading creatives, senior marketers and high-level decision-makers that Lions Innovation has attracted and the opportunity to pitch inside the Palais at 17:00, Wednesday 24 June.
Speaking about the Start-up Academy, Lions Festivals CEO, Philip Thomas, said that the initiative fulfills a central goal of Lions Innovation to connect start-ups with brands and storytellers. “Lions Innovation is a crucible that brings elements of the industry together for learning, inspiration, networking and celebration. The combination produces a chain reaction from which something special emerges – great ideas aren’t just awarded here, they’re also born here and fuelled by the undercurrent of energy that flows through the Festival.”
Lions Innovation takes place between 25 and 26 June. Further information can be found at:www.canneslions.com/lions_innovation