Plug and Play Brand and Retail Accepts Startups That Are Setting the Pace for the Future of Retail

SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Plug and Play's most mature innovation platform, Brand and Retail, announces elite batch of 22 startups accepted into their program. Sourced and selected from over 835 applications, these startups are solving the biggest problems top brands and retailers face today.

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Plug and Play has brought together the entire industry – from retailers, CPGs, mall operators and solution providers – to create a holistic view of the industry in order to find major innovation gaps. In alignment with their partners' focus areas, these insights help drive startup sourcing efforts for the program. Some of the most notable partners of Plug and Play's Brand & Retail Program include Kohl's, Mars, Simon Venture Group, Henkel, Panasonic and over 30 other industry leaders.

"Simon is excited to collaborate with Plug and Play's Retail Accelerator as its way for Simon to engage with a large number of innovative retail tech companies which are re-defining omni-channel retailing. Plug and Play is identifying companies early on that we may want to partner and/or invest in," says Skyler Fernandes, Managing Director of Simon Venture Group.

"Our model has really proved itself in the Retail vertical and this validation has allowed us to replicate the model in six other areas: FinTech & Security, IoT, Media & Mobile, Travel & Hospitality, Health & Wellness and New Materials & Packaging," said Michael Olmstead, VP Corporate Partnerships at Plug and Play. "The cross-pollination between our programs allows for startups and corporations representing a variety of industries to rub shoulders and discuss new forms of collaboration. It's that type of collaborative environment that sets us apart from other accelerators and incubators."

Plug and Play builds different themed innovation platforms to find and invest in the world's best startups. Then they accelerate the startups' growth through a 12-week acceleration program by connecting them with the various constituents that make up their unique ecosystem. Their model has been tested and proved successful through the different batches of their programs. Startups that are accepted into the program have the opportunity to complete pilots, raise funding, and become acquired. During Batch 4 of the retail program, two startups, Blynk and Booshaka, were acquired.

This batch includes a range of innovative startups shown below.

Plug and Play Brand and Retail is an innovation platform connecting forward-thinking brands, retailers, and CPGs with startups and technology influencing the retail industry. This Innovation Platform runs twice a year for 20-30 retail-focused startups that are chosen by Plug and Play's venture team, VC partners, and corporate partners.

The startups will pitch their polished ideas to corporate partners and investors at Plug and Play's Retail, FinTech and Materials EXPO. To see these startups in person, attend Plug and Play's EXPO on May 25^th. Register here: http://bit.ly/21EAejP 

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: allison@plugandplaytechcenter.com

SOURCE Plug and Play