The IKEA approach to innovation always has, and always will start with the IKEA vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people. And we believe in the power of the many and that is why this startup program became a reality. After a worldwide tour with applications from 86 different countries, and a selection process with the mission to find the best suited startups for IKEA, ten startups have now been selected.
“The foundation for the selection process has been to find the startups that we believe could help us solve the challenges around being truly affordable for the many people, reaching and interacting with the many, and enabling a positive impact on the planet, people and society”, says Tony Sandelius, New Business and Innovation manager at IKEA of Sweden.
The startup program is a collaboration with Rainmaking Innovation, a global cooperative of entrepreneurs with great knowledge of working with startup companies. The program will enable the selected startups to develop by applying Rainmaking’s knowledge and experience with accelerators, in the context of the IKEA values and vision. The applications have been within a wide range of different areas ranging from new innovative technology to new ways of meeting customers.
“We were really impressed by the applications that we received for the program. The quality of the startups and their teams was extremely high so the selection process was very hard”, says Karin Blomqvist, Program Director for IKEA Bootcamp, at Rainmaking Innovation.
During the program the selected startups will be located at IKEA of Sweden in Älmhult, Sweden, where the future IKEA products are developed. The startups will get access to IKEA prototype shop, test lab, co-workers within IKEA of Sweden and a senior IKEA mentor each. In addition to this they will also get tailored mentorship and advice from more than 75 mentors from Rainmaking’s global network of serial entrepreneurs and experts.
The program ends with a demonstration day at IKEA of Sweden in December, where the startups will show their progress throughout the program, and prototypes, collaborations and findings of the work will be presented. Hopefully ending in ideas of meeting the future of IKEA in new and exciting ways.
“The word impossible doesn't exist in the IKEA language. We are constantly exploring the future to find new solutions and together with the chosen startups teams we want to challenge ourselves even further”, says Tony Sandelius, New Business and Innovation manager at IKEA of Sweden.
THE TEN SELECTED STARTUPS ARE
Anyware Solutions – Denmark
Anyware Solutions enables everyone to have a smart home with their smart adaptors
Bare Conductive – UK
Bare Conductive creates printed sensors that will connect every surface, space, and building
Flying Spark – Israel
Flying Spark makes a new protein source from fruit fly larvae in powder form
Goodbag – Austria
Goodbag is the world’s first smart shopping bag
How Do I? – UK
How Do I? is an app that makes step-by-step life skill videos accessible to people with learning disabilities
Hubstairs – France
Hubstairs helps you get your interior decorated by a designer with selected furniture
Matter – Portugal
Matter rematerializes agro-industrial waste into innovative surface materials
Mimbly – Sweden
Mimbly is an add-on water recycling system that works with washing machines
Niwa – Spain
Niwa enables anyone to grow indoors via smart software and data intelligence
Nüwiel – Germany
Nüwiel develops e-powered bicycle trailers for last mile delivery
