Plug and Play partners with JLR and TechWM to offer innovators the chance to win investment with Global Innovation Challenge

By JLR x Plug and Play x TechWM

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Quick Read: Plug and Play, JLR, and TechWM have launched the JLR Global Innovation Challenge, inviting innovators worldwide to propose sustainable automotive solutions with a chance to win up to £50,000 and collaborate with industry experts.

Plug and Play in collaboration with JLR and TechWM, has announced the launch of the JLR Global Innovation Challenge, an initiative aimed at driving and supporting sustainable solutions within the automotive industry.

This challenge invites startups, scaleups, SMEs, academia, and other innovators worldwide to propose groundbreaking ideas that align with JLR's sustainability-rich vision of modern luxury by design.

Successful winners will gain opportunities for strategic funding, collaboration with JLR experts, and significant industry exposure. The finalists will receive prizes of £50,000 for the winner and two prizes of £20,000 for the second and third runner-ups.

The challenge, which seeks innovations that demonstrate environmental and societal impact, technological feasibility, and scalability, calls for applications building under the following themes: Circular Economy, Decarbonisation and Net Zero, Sustainable Mobility, and ESG.

Photo: Kieran Borrett, Andrea Debbane, Yiannis Maos MB

“Technology and business model innovation, enabled through collaboration is the only way we can create a sustainable world for generations to come. This challenge is an important example of a globally recognized brand, opening up and committing to collaboration with innovation partners. We are proud to be working with JLR and TechWM.”

Andrea Debbane, Director of Sustainability at JLR:

“This innovation challenge means more than just groundbreaking solutions – it signifies a profound step towards a future where sustainability is at the forefront of our industry. We invite you to join us, and together we can pioneer sustainable solutions that shape a brighter and greener tomorrow for generations to come.”

Yiannis Maos MBE, CEO of TechWM:

“This partnership is a great example of how the West Midlands continues to invest in world-class innovation and entrepreneurship. To have a heritage brand like JLR coming together with Plug and Play and TechWM is a testament to the ambition that we share to lead on the world stage. The region’s rich history has an important part to play in its future, and this collaboration will see inventive solutions brought forward that have the opportunity to change the automotive industry’s approach to sustainability. I’m delighted that TechWM can play its part in support such visionary entrepreneurs.”

JLR Innovation Challenge Applications Now Open

Key Dates:

• June 4, 2024: Applications Open
• July 31, 2024: Applications Close
• October 24, 2024: Pitch Day Event at Birmingham Tech Week

For more information and to apply, visit JLR Innovation Challenge.

About JLR:

JLR’s Reimagine strategy aims to deliver a sustainability-rich vision of modern luxury by design.

We are transforming our business, targeting carbon net zero across our supply chain, products, and operations by 2039. We have set a roadmap to reduce emissions across our own operations and value chains by 2030 through approved, science-based targets. Electrification is central to this strategy and before the end of the decade our Range Rover, Discovery, Defender collections will each have a pure electric model, while Jaguar will be entirely electric.

At heart we are a British company, with two design and engineering sites, three vehicle manufacturing facilities, an engine manufacturing centre, and a battery assembly centre in the UK. We also have vehicle plants in China, Brazil, India, Austria, and Slovakia, as well as seven technology hubs across the globe.

Jaguar Land Rover is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors Limited, part of Tata Sons.

About Plug and Play:

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 60+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/.

About TechWM:

TechWM is the recognised digital economy agency for the West Midlands, advising on regional tech policy, making recommendations and creating partnerships between the public, private and academic sectors. TechWM connects, aims to raise the profile of the West Midlands tech sector and help local businesses go global. Through a number of carefully crafted scale-up initiatives, cross-network collaboration, and original content, Tech West Midlands helps tech and digital businesses successfully scale by providing them with valuable knowledge, insight, and support.

Since its inception in 2019, the organisation has helped businesses raise over £100 million and inspired thousands of people to get into the tech sector. It has also become known for its most popular showcase event, Birmingham Tech Week, the UK’s largest regional tech event.

To find out more, visit www.techwm.com.

Contact:
JLR Global Innovation Challenge Team
Email: p.stavrovski@pnptc.com
Website: JLR Innovation Challenge

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