WAYRA’s London PROGRAMME ACC
O2 parent Telefónica have announced the UK launch of its technology accelerator programme, Wayra. Budding technology entrepreneurs can now submit their projects at www.
wayra.org/en/wayra-uk-call-2012 with the best each receiving investments of up to €50,000 and access to a new state-of-the-art workspace unveiled today in London’s Tottenham Court Road. The launch of Wayra marks a multi million pound investment by Telefónica in UK-based start-ups over the next three years.
Wayra, which means ‘wind’ in Quechua, a language of the central Andes, is part of Telefónica’s new Digital unit and is set to become the world’s largest technology accelerator programme. Launched last year in Latin America and Spain, Wayra was created to find and nurture the best technology
ideas and talent, aiming to become an accelerator for the development of future ‘Silicon Valleys’ in the countries where Telefónica is present.
Wayra is aimed at early stage technology start-ups and is open to entrepreneurs of all ages and backgrounds. In addition to financing, up to 20 projects selected during a Wayra Week in May will also receive mentoring, access to technology expertise within Telefónica and O2 and use of a new special Wayra Academy in London which will officially open in May,
providing access for
the entrepreneurs to a network of Academies across Europe and Latin America.
Experts within Wayra, Telefónica and O2 will evaluate each submission and choose a shortlist who will be invited to take part in the Wayra Week.
Week the
During Wayra shortlisted
entrepreneurs will be invited to
ideas to an independent panel
representatives of Wayra, Telefónica/O2
pitch their comprising and
Winners recieve access to a workspace in London’s Tottenham Court Road.
46 entrepreneurcountry
independent VCs and technology experts. Up to 20 of the best projects will be invited to move into the new London
Wayra Academy and will each receive an investment of up to €50,000 in exchange for an approximate 10% stake in their business.
“London is a global centre of innovation and through Wayra we hope to find the Facebooks and Zyngas of the future,” said Simon Devonshire, Director of Wayra in Europe. “We believe Wayra is unique in not only providing entrepreneurs with access to a ready- made network of like-minded people across Europe and Latin America, but also in acting as a gateway to Telefónica’s 300 million customers worldwide.”
“We have thousands of small business customers in the UK and we know that they are the formidable engine of the British economy, with 80% of people in the UK working for a business of between 10 and 50 people”, said Ronan Dunne, UK Chief Executive of O2. “There’s amazing entrepreneurial spirit in the British small business community, and we want to help them succeed. What we can provide them is a place and time to bring that commitment and passion for an idea to life, together with our business experience, network and technical support. I truly believe this initiative is unique in the UK.”
Successful projects initially spend
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