-
INFINITI LAB drives open innovation culture and digital transformation via a hub of in-house team innovators, local and global startups plus Hong Kong industry experts
-
Eight startups have embarked on a twelve-week program in Hong Kong to deliver proof-of-concepts that address future consumer demands
Hong Kong, 31 October, 2018 – INFINITI Motor Company, Ltd. today unveiled an all-new INFINITI LAB initiative to connect world-class entrepreneurs with local startups, corporate partners and INFINITI leaders to accelerate the innovation cycle and find new ways of doing business that challenge industry norms.
Since its launch in 2015, the program has helped drive cultural transformation and open innovation within INFINITI and the startup community. The program is the first to bring advanced stage international startups to Hong Kong, encouraging cross-border collaboration while enriching the local ecosystem. It has accelerated 46 startups from around the world, helping entrepreneurs harness innovation to set new growth trajectories. This year’s incoming cohort of eight startups, takes that number up to 54.
INFINITI LAB will host an on-going collaboration program, launched today with the Open Innovation Workshop that features partners including but not limited to Hysan Development Company Limited, Li & Fung Limited, MTR Corporation, Shanghai Tang, Swire Properties Limited and The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Limited. INFINITI will host monthly workshops and hackathons at the new INFINITI LAB space, and grant exclusive access to expert mentors and industry partners across multiple verticals to help entrepreneurs achieve success.
“Entrepreneurial spirit is the driving force behind the INFINITI brand. By continuing to collaborate and exchange ideas with the startup community, we continue to hone our mindset and uncover new growth opportunities,” said Dane Fisher, General Manager, Global Transformation & Brand at INFINITI Motor Company. “Our collaboration with startups has unlocked internal innovation and intrepreneurship, helping to transform corporate culture at INFINITI in ways not possible before.”
“To stay ahead in the digital transformation race, we must look outwards beyond our own key business functions and partner our people with startups and progressive thinkers to build an ecosystem where open innovation can truly happen. The new INFINITI LAB was created to accelerate innovation cycles for INFINITI, our partners and for startups.” He continued.
The INFINITI LAB Global Accelerator program is now based in the heart of Hong Kong’s startup ecosystem, at the new INFINITI LAB in Central.
Eight advanced stage startups will participate in the 12-week INFINITI LAB Accelerator Program, in partnership with NEST. The startups include:PassKit (Hong Kong),Yimian(Mainland China), Apostera(Germany), Autobahn (Estonia), BriskSynergies (Canada),SmartTones Media (Canada), Drive Motors(USA) and OviDrive (Australia).
The INFINITI LAB space will provide the ideal point of convergence for prime players across the innovation ecosystem to rapidly turn great ideas into proof-of-concepts and business-ready pilots.
