Plug and Play Opens Next Accelerator Batch: Materials & Packaging

SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Plug and Play recently launched its newest innovation platform, New Materials and Packaging, which facilitates the growth of breakthrough materials and packaging technologies. With a projected global packaging market value of over one trillion by 2020, Plug and Play aims to be the world's premier materials and packaging innovation hub.

Anne Schauer-Jimenez from Mango Materials recently completed the first Materials acceleration program and reported that she "learned so much personally and on the business side…[and] gained a lot of experience that you can't get from working in a lab or on a machine."

Plug and Play has brought together the entire industry – from leading resin suppliers, transformers, CPGs and retailers – to identify breakthrough ideas and accelerate their implementation across the value chain. In alignment with their partners' focus areas, these insights help drive startup sourcing efforts for the program.

"The New Materials & Packaging program is laying the foundation for something that's truly going to change the future of packaging. Our model has really proved itself time and time again in each of our verticals [Brand & Retail, FinTech & Security, IoT, Media & Mobile, Travel & Hospitality and Health & Wellness] and this validation has allowed us to replicate the model in the Packaging and Plastics industry," said Michael Olmstead, VP Corporate Partnerships at Plug and Play.

The New Materials and Packaging Innovation Platform runs a 12-week acceleration program, twice a year, for 10-20 startups chosen from roughly 500 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.

The focus of the program is centered around the following areas: materials substitutes, improved attributes (stiffness, melt strength, sealability, barrier properties), intelligent packaging and sustainability. Startups looking to join the innovation platform can apply to Plug and Play's New Materials and Packaging Batch 2, starting August 2016: 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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