Business

Capgemini announced the ‘go live’ of its InnovatorsRace50, a worldwide competition for early stage start-ups to showcase the potential of their products, services or innovative uses of technology to disrupt businesses and organizations. This special edition of Innovators Race, to mark Capgemini’s 50th Anniversary year, celebrates the spirit of innovative entrepreneurship and builds on the life and times of Capgemini’s founder, the late Serge Kampf, who created his very own start-up 50 years ago.

The 5 winning start-ups will each have the opportunity to secure business backing of equity free funding to the tune of $50,000 USD, extensive networking opportunities, participation in international tech events, access to industry experts, and the opportunity to become a Capgemini partner.

Entrants have until February 28th to take part in the global competition via www.innovatorsrace50.com. Fifty start-ups will then be chosen across five categories (ten from each), to go forward to personal meetings with a panel of experts who will nominate two finalists per category.

The contest categories are:

Govtech and Social Enterprises
Fintech and Mobility
Consumers and Well-Being
Digital Processes and Transformation
Data and Security

In April and May the ten finalists, two per category, will then get the opportunity to meet with tech and industry experts in person in five of Capgemini’s Applied Innovation Exchanges (AIEs)1. The five locations are London, San Francisco, Munich, Mumbai and Paris.

During this time they will experience this immersive and transformative environment for further exploration, discovery, testing and application of their innovation. They will also benefit from access to an extensive network of experts to help them work on their proposals and prepare their final submission.

“Digital disruption is redefining all industries and innovation is its lifeblood,” comments Lanny Cohen, Group Chief Technology Officer and Member of the Group Executive Committee at Capgemini. “Navigating the start-up scene is at the very heart of what we do for our clients. It’s a privilege to work with emerging entrepreneurs and witness some of the most advanced and radical thinking that is transforming businesses today. We look forward to an exciting special birthday edition of Innovators Race this year, and to welcoming the finalists into our AIEs to help them refine their offers. I wish all participants the best of luck!”