Warwick Analytics is one of the five start-ups selected to join the BMW Group Financial Services Innovation Lab, the first financial technology business ‘incubator’ in the automotive sector.
The five finalists present a range of innovations that could revolutionise how consumers own and insure cars in the future, from opening up entirely new types of leases to consumers, through to tackling the barriers young drivers face.
Mike Dennett, chief executive BMW Group Financial Services, said: “Despite being vital for many drivers to access vehicles, the auto-finance sector has failed to innovate in the same way that most other areas of the automotive industry have in recent years.
“Our industry is ripe for disruption and each start-up we’ve selected to enter the Innovation Lab offers the potential to change how thousands of consumers gain access to and use vehicles, and I’m confident that our support will help us both work towards this goal.”
Warwick Analytics was selected by a panel of BMW Group Financial Services representatives following an intense pitch day this month.
Warwick Analytics will receive access to BMW Group Financial Services, in order to support innovation and fast track the growth of their business.
This includes:
· Dedicated office space at the BMW Group Financial Services head office in Farnborough
· Mentorship from members of the business’s senior leadership
· Product validation and testing opportunities
· Access to investors at corporate innovation specialist L Marks
· First class education programme based on the ‘disciplined entrepreneurship’ method from MIT.
Stuart Marks, technology entrepreneur and partner of the Innovation Lab, said: “Every start-up that attended the pitch day presented a new idea for changing automotive finance, which meant that selecting only five to participate was a difficult challenge.
“However, we’re certain we’ve selected five strong companies who will benefit tremendously from being members of the Innovation Lab – it’ll be thrilling to watch them develop over the next ten weeks.”
The Innovation Lab will officially launch October 3, run for 10 weeks, and close with a demonstration day on December 8.