Wacom launches "Wacom Innovation Hub" in Tel Aviv, Israel driving further expansion of digital ink technology through WILL™

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May 24, 2017, 10:00 ET

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Wacom today announced the launch of the "Wacom Innovation Hub" in Tel Aviv, Israel, a new startup program offering guidance, expertise and mentorship to startup companies to support business and technological development. The dedicated platform will encourage innovation and collaboration with Wacom, to foster growth for early stage startups in the fields of 3D, VR, AR, content creation, cyber security and human-computer interaction.

As an established global center for technology ventures, Wacom has selected Tel Aviv as the preferred location to launch its Innovation Hub, a city offering a world-class startup ecosystem promoting innovative technologies and leading-edge B2B expertise. The Wacom Innovation Hub will offer a wide range of support services for startups to encourage new and innovative applications based on the WILL™ (Wacom Ink Layer Language) platform, which is in line with Wacom's vision to establish digital ink as a universal, open and smart content format, and a common framework for sharing and collaborating with ideas.

The Wacom Innovation Hub will house office and meeting spaces to offer member companies opportunities to collaborate and receive the counsel and support they need, both locally, through face-to-face meetings with members of an internationally experienced Wacom staff, and through leveraging Wacom's extensive global business network.

"We are very pleased to announce the launch of the Wacom Innovation Hub, which allows us the opportunity to work directly with early stage startups, to help them hone their technologies and services, and bring their concepts and ideas to reality," said Masahiko Yamada, President & CEO of Wacom. "Tel Aviv offers the ideal place to launch our startup program, and we look forward to working with new and exciting startups from across the globe, as they contribute to our growing partner ecosystem with their experience and expertise and enrich our product offering."

How to Apply – Wacom Innovation Hub
Wacom is seeking early stage startups to participate in the Wacom Innovation Hub. Candidate startups should be ready for proof of concept, and will be subject to a screening process to determine eligibility. Startups may apply now online; for details visit: innovation.wacom.com.

The Wacom Innovation Hub in Tel Aviv is in collaboration with toDay Ventures' boost program managed by Roni Nizri Geva and Shay Michel. The program also partnered with local colleges and universities in Israel to host a special pre-launch event on May 21, 2017, to promote the new program, engage with developers and startups, and to offer a sneak preview of WILL^TM 2.0, scheduled for release in September 2017. Details of the event are available here. A WILL™ hackathon is planned later in the year.

Download images of the pre-launch event here: https://hkstrategies.egnyte.com/fl/tnXIY0RAYi

In addition to the Wacom Innovation Hub, Wacom is supporting developers through its newly launched Wacom Developers Program; to learn more visit: developer.wacom.com.

About Wacom
Founded in 1983, Wacom is a global company based in Japan with subsidiaries and affiliate offices around the world to support marketing and distribution in over 150 countries and areas. It is the world's leading manufacturer of pen tablets, interactive pen displays, and digital interface solutions. The advanced technology of Wacom's intuitive input devices has been used to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and designs around the world and provides business and home users with their leading interface technology to express their personality. The company also offers its products as OEM solutions to leading manufacturers serving incremental markets. Wacom's interface technology, called Wacom Feel IT technologies, is also offered as an integrated solution to strategic partners. Most tablet device and PC manufacturers count on the advanced features and reliability to deliver a superior user interface experience.

*Wacom, WILL, Feel are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Wacom Co., Ltd.
*All other trademarks and product names are property of their respective companies

Contact Information
Corporate Communication, Wacom Co., Ltd.
Tel：+81-3-5337-6702 Email: Wacom-pr(at)wacom.co.jp

SOURCE Wacom