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Digital Catapult’s Augmentor acceleration programme returns to boost investment readiness and product-market fit for immersive startups

Posted 1 Jun 2020

Augmentor, Digital Catapult’s leading 12 week acceleration programme for immersive technology startups has launched an open call to find 10 B2B companies developing innovative, investment-ready, commercially focused applications with immersive technologies.

Augmentor will focus on accelerating the growth of the next generation of immersive companies by providing support delivered by Digital Catapult, programme partners, investors, mentors, and industry experts, to help the cohort companies boost their investment readiness and develop their commercial viability ahead of pitching to investors and industry at the final showcase event.

Startups must have minimum viable products or applications which are primarily developed using immersive technology, but those drawing on other technologies, such as AI or 5G, are also encouraged to apply.

Augmentor is open to startups working in any sector, with a focus for 2020 on companies working in:

  • Architecture, engineering and construction
  • 3D design, production and tooling
  • Advanced manufacturing (e.g. robotics, automotive, aerospace, supply chain)
  • Data visualisation
  • Training
  • Utilities sector
  • Creative industries (e.g. entertainment, gaming, media)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Digital Catapult continues to support the startup community by bringing investors and commercial partners to help accelerate investment in immersive technologies, as the UK economy begins its recovery, by partnering with some of the world’s leading investment funds on Augmentor, including HTC Vive, Remagine Ventures, MMC Ventures, Ascension Ventures and more.

Jeremy Silver, CEO, Digital Catapult, said: “ Remote operation of machine processes, control devices in hazardous environments, rapid training on complex technical equipment, distributed virtual social media, the covid pandemic has prompted growing interest in virtual and augmented solutions. Augmentor attracts some of the most creative and inventive companies in the UK and Europe to get a boost to their product development and a positive steer on their business strategy from super smart and highly experienced mentors and investors.

In these interesting, difficult times, the investment landscape is hard for immersive companies. Augmentor is a vital piece of the puzzle for the UK startup community. We’ve aligned the programme closely to industry needs, we’re helping forge deep and lasting connections with investors to help these small businesses reach their full potential.”

So far, 27 companies have taken part in the Augmentor programme since its inception in 2017. Success stories include HoloMe, the technology provider behind Asos’ ‘Virtual Catwalk’; immersive technology specialists Arcade which has since developed a cutting edge augmented reality experience with a leading Norwegian museum; Somewhere Else which developed an immersive training platform known as BodySwaps that has recently received funding and business support from HTC VIVE X; and Kagenova, which raised over £400,000 for its interactive realism products.

The open call is now live and will run until 29 July 2020.

To apply, and find out more about the programme, visit www.augmentor.co.uk

Augmentor 2020 partners with the following VCs