R/GA & Techstars Launch Second Accelerator

NEW YORK, June 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- R/GA, the agency for the connected age, announced today that it is accepting applications for its second R/GA Accelerator, powered by Techstars. Building on the success of its first program, this R/GA Accelerator will again focus on startups in the Internet of Things (IoT) and Connected Devices space.

R/GA and Techstars are casting a wide net for applicants, from founders developing early prototypes to startups that have already shown traction. The program will not target a specific vertical, but instead seeks opportunities for innovation and market disruption across many industries. Applicants need not have a hardware product if their software demonstrably enables the IoT ecosystem. IoT companies with enterprise, industrial, B2B, and commerce solutions are encouraged to apply, as well as companies developing consumer-oriented products or services.

In addition to gaining access to the full range of R/GA services, including strategic design, branding, and technology, startups accepted into the program will also be eligible to receive up to $120,000 in funding. The program will utilize Techstars' mentor-driven methodology, leveraging the company's extensive global network of mentors and investors. R/GA will bring to the program its own network of mentors, advisers, and executives, including senior clients from world-class brands such as Nike, Samsung, Google, Beats by Dr. Dre, Equinox, Unilever, and J&J.

"The power of internet software continues to disrupt industries as it spreads beyond the web and mobile and into devices, machines, and physical environments. For companies to succeed, whether in the consumer or B2B space, they have to create truly innovative technology solutions," says Bob Greenberg, Founder, Chairman and CEO of R/GA. "However, great technology is not enough. Companies must also create elegant and cohesive user experiences across digital and physical touchpoints, in addition to compelling brands that consumers will care about."

The R/GA Accelerator program is an initiative of R/GA Ventures, which is dedicated to the integration of innovation, technology, and design. In addition to managing investments within and outside of the R/GA Accelerator, R/GA Ventures is also a platform to enable startups, investment funds, and established companies to engage with R/GA using a variety of funding structures.

R/GA is also pleased to announce that it will be receiving support in its upcoming Accelerator program from ASTRO Studios, the industry leading industrial design and product development studio, as well as PCH Access, a division of PCH, the custom design manufacturing solutions company. Industry leader Stratasys and MakerBot will continue their support of the program, which will be led by Techstars Managing Director Jenny Fielding, who most recently served as Head of Digital Ventures at BBC Worldwide. Fielding will bring her extensive experience in the world of emerging tech to support the companies in the program.

Applications to the R/GA Accelerator will be accepted from June 24th through August 25th, 2014. The startups accepted into the R/GA Accelerator will be notified by September 22nd and the program will begin on October 20th. At the end of the program, the companies will present to investors, media, select R/GA clients, and industry leaders at an invitation-only Demo Day in NYC to be held in February 2015.

For more information about the accelerator go to http://www.rgaaccelerator.com, and for up-to-the minute details follow us on Twitter at @rgaaccelerator. 

About R/GA
R/GA, the agency for the connected age, develops products, services and communications to help grow our clients' brands and businesses. Founded in 1977, the agency has been a pioneer at the intersection of technology, design and marketing with work spanning web, mobile, social, retail, product innovation, brand development and business consulting for the connected age. R/GA has more than 1,400 employees globally with offices across the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia-Pacific and is part of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG), one of the world's largest advertising and marketing services organizations. For more information on R/GA, please visit us at http://rga.com/and on Facebook and Twitter.

About Techstars:
Techstars is a mentorship-driven seed stage investment program. Techstars runs a three month long program in Austin (TX), Boston (MA), Boulder (CO), Chicago (IL), New York City (NY), Seattle (WA), and London (UK) once each year. Additionally, the accelerator runs several powered by Techstars programs with some of the best brands in the world.

Logo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060111/NYW098LOGO

SOURCE R/GA