Train company fast-tracks technology accelerator

Train company London Midland has launched an accelerator programme in Birmingham to support new start-ups working in the rail sector.
 
The Labs Accelerator programme, which will be based at the Innovation Birmingham Campus, will offer successful applicants access to a structured 12-week scheme where they will receive six months’ free desk and workshop space, ongoing mentoring, access to London Midland’s analytics and data, as well as hard/software resources, so they can help improve the existing rail travel experience.
 
The Labs initiative has been launched by London Midland in response to direct passenger and team feedback calling for smart use of technology to be implemented across its network. Over the last four weeks, the team at London Midland and its digital experience studio partner, 383 Project, have been conducting in-depth interviews and workshops with customers and team members to unearth the major challenges that need addressing, where technology can play its part, and how quickly this can be addressed to benefit all parties.
 
London Midland operates 1,300 trains each day and wants its 200,000 daily passengers to benefit from better journeys through smart use of technology.  

Ian McLaren, London Midland’s finance and contracts director, and head of the innovation board, said: “We’ve asked our passengers and team members to tell us about the issues they face and what they would like us to address. Our job with Labs is to find, support, and work with the brightest, smartest minds from the start-up landscape so that we can collectively develop timely and effective solutions.

“The Labs Accelerator will give tangible support by way of funding, kit, free space and access to those who’ve been there and done that.   We believe the programme will improve customers’ rail experience.
 
“The benefits package we have put together in collaboration with Innovation Birmingham and 383 Project will hopefully be extremely attractive to start-ups. The opportunity to work collaboratively with other leading innovators, enjoying access to state-of-the-art testing labs and software, including Microsoft Power BI, will be key to innovating for future rail travel.”
 
Each week, the 12-week programme will focus on a fundamental element of ensuring success, such as intellectual property, financial modelling, raising investment, user experience, and marketing.
 
The programme culminates with the start-ups taking part in a demonstration day where participants will be given the chance to present their progress and pitch their ideas to an audience of investors, London Midland stakeholders and existing suppliers, media figures, and key influencers from the start-up community.
 
Applications for the London Midland Labs incubator are open until February 8. Application details are on the London Midland Labs website.