MassChallenge UK Announces the 100 Startups to Participate in 2016 Accelerator
Applications for the programme came from 69 countries, showing that there is still strong interest in the UKs tech ecosystem, even after Brexit, with finalists from China (Macau), Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, and India, to name a few. Of the 100 teams, 86 teams are from the UK, four are from other European countries, and four teams are from the United States.
To date, 835 MassChallenge alumni startups have raised over 1 billion in funding and created over 50,000 jobs. The early-stage startups coming to MassChallenge UK are chosen based on their impact and potential, with the intention to make massive impact on the economy, create jobs, and solve some of the worlds biggest problems.
MassChallenge UK accepts startups from all industries. Top industries of finalists include retail-tech, edutech, and healthcare/medical devices. The industry breakdown for all 100 finalists is:
17 per cent are in high tech
43 per cent are general, retail, and consumer goods
20 per cent are healthcare and life sciences
11 per cent are social impact
9 per cent are cleantech and energy
The full lists of 2016 startups can be found here.
UK-based MassChallenge CMO Diane Perlman said: London has been and will continue to be an attractive and innovative ecosystem that draws the top startups from all over the world. It shows what we believe, which is that the UK is one of the best places in the world for innovation. Ideas, skills, and ambitious minds will always flourish here as long as there is a supportive ecosystem in place. Were committed to providing that stability and access.
The 100 high-impact startups that will be entering our 2016 accelerator, whether they are from the UK or anywhere else in the world, have one thing in common: the desire to solve real-world problems that can have a huge impact on our economy and the world.
Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners said, The diversity of the companies and 11 countries represented in MassChallenges 2016 cohort offers further proof that London remains open to business from all over the world. It is also no surprise to see that Londons strengths in technology, life sciences and retail are represented by some of the fantastic companies on MassChallenges programme. As well as access to talent, risk capital and international markets, London can offer startups a range of accelerator programmes such as MassChallenge. All these ingredients make London the leading European destination for fast-growing businesses looking to scale.
Finalists have access to top mentors, world-class corporate partners, free office space, and have the opportunity to win up to 50,000 in individual cash awards with no equity taken. The programme runs from 1 September to 1 December. Winning startups will be announced 1 December at the MassChallenge UK Awards Ceremony.
About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet. No equity and not-for-profit, we are obsessed with helping entrepreneurs across all industries. We also reward the highest-impact startups through a competition to win a portion of several million dollars in equity-free cash awards. Through our global network of accelerators in Boston, the UK, Israel, Switzerland, and Mexico, and unrivaled access to our corporate partners, we can have a massive impact – driving growth and creating value the world over. To date, 835 MassChallenge alumni have raised over 1 billion, generated over 440 million in revenue, and created over 50,000 jobs. For more information, please visit masschallenge.org.
MassChallenge is a leader in startup/corporate collaboration and has recently released a report with Imaginatik on The State of Startup/Corporate Collaboration 2016. Download it here.
Top MassChallenge UK 2016 partners include: JPMorgan Chase Foundation, GCHQ, ViiV, BCG The Boston Consulting Group, Swiss Re, IBM, School of Management Fribourg, Digital Catapult, Satellite Applications Catapult, EMC2, Fried Frank Technology, Taylor Wessing, Eversheds, Crowdcube, Tobacco Dock, Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, Interchange, UK Business Angels Association, Angels Den, Moo, Hubspot, and Tech City UK.
For media inquiries: mediauk@masschallenge.org