Infiniti: Premium Connected Mobility: Apply Now

Do you have a cutting-edge solution that can transform the future mobility landscape? If this sounds like you, INFINITI wants to help you develop and elevate your startup business.

INFINITI LAB Hong Kong is a twelve week accelerator program run by premium automotive brand, INFINITI, together with Nest. The program supports growth-stage startups from all over the world with business development, investor access, and by providing the tools to build a strong foundation for success.

Flights and all accommodation costs for the 12-weeks will be covered by INFINITI.

The theme of this program is Premium Connected Mobility and we are looking for startups who can help us to design a seamless tech-enabled mobility experience for the premium consumer. We’re looking for exciting products or services related to three key verticals:

Digital Ecosystem

  • How can data be captured and managed to improve understanding of customer preferences to create a personalized and premium consumer experience?
  • Do you have a new digital solution that will encourage a connected online to offline consumer journey?
  • Sample solutions/technologies: CRM & loyalty programs, e-commerce, AI, blockchain, customer profiling, simulation technology, AR/VR

Future Mobility

  • Are you designing a platform that could enable MaaS (Mobility as a Service) for the premium customer?
  • Are you working on a solution that will provide customers with a seamless, hyper-convenient mobility experience? Could that solution also manage the movement of goods?
  • Are you focused on differentiated Autonomous Driving, Connected Car or Electric Vehicle tech?
  • Do you have a solution to operate, manage and optimize Fleets?
  • Are you a hardware provider looking to make the “For Purpose” vehicle of the future?
  • Do you have enabling technologies that could support, simulate or optimize new mobility?
  • Sample solutions/technologies: inter/multi-modal mobility, digital payment systems, automated logistics, blockchain, mobility services and products such as ride-hailing, ride sharing, car-pooling or subscription solutions, fleet management operations systems, aggregator platform, E2E Cloud Mobility SaaS Solutions

Alternative Retail Model

  • Do you have a disruptive technology to empower the future premium retail experience?
  • Sample solutions/technologies: chatbot, AR/VR, Marketing/Ad tech, e-Commerce
  • The Program
  • Throughout this 12 week program you will be provided with intensive 1:1 mentorship from INFINITI, Nest and seasoned entrepreneurs who have done it all before. You will also receive access to external subject matter experts and introductions to quality global investors with a proven track record.
  • The Program will culminate in a demo day with participating startups pitching to a panel of Hong Kong's top venture capital firms. You will also have the opportunity to pitch to the Alliance Ventures Capital Fund of $1billion.

The Program

  • Throughout this 12 week program you will be provided with intensive 1:1 mentorship from INFINITI, Nest and seasoned entrepreneurs who have done it all before. You will also receive access to external subject matter experts and introductions to quality global investors with a proven track record.
  • The Program will culminate in a demo day with participating startups pitching to a panel of Hong Kong's top venture capital firms. You will also have the opportunity to pitch to the Alliance Ventures Capital Fund of $1billion.

Curriculum Snapshot

  • Week 1: Business Model Canvas Deep Dive and Customer Validation
  • Week 2: Getting Early Customers
  • Week 3: Building Sales Teams and Getting Attention
  • Week 4: Scaling the Company
  • Week 5: Fund Raising and Market Sizing
  • Week 6: Investor Roadshow
  • Week 7: Pilot Proposals
  • Week 8: Corporate Integration & Ecosystem BD
  • Week 9: China Trip
  • Week 10: Pitch coaching and Demo Day Preparation
  • Week 11 & 12: Pilot Delivery

Key Dates

  • Applications Close - August
  • Program Starts - September
  • Demo Day – December

Participants will be given:

  • Access to a collaborative workspace
  • A curriculum featuring some of the tech world’s top speakers and 1-on-1 mentors
  • An opportunity to pitch and present to Alliance Ventures, a $1billion fund by Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi
  • Corporate partners include Amazon, Google; IBM, Edelman and many more.
  • Do you have any other question? Check out our FAQs below.
  • To apply please visit: www.f6s.com/infinitilab-hongkong2018/apply

FAQs:

General

  • What role will INFINITI play in the accelerator?
    • INFINITI is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and startups globally. Gain valuable experience and key insider knowledge through engagement with a premium brand. Through this program, we’ll provide mentorship from carefully selected business leaders and experts. INFINITI will support the companies accepted into the program by providing mentors, visibility and network opportunities. Founders will also benefit from Nest and INFINITI’s global network of investors, corporate partners. Through our network we will also provide POC opportunities.
  • What are the networking and educational opportunities provided during the program?
    • Throughout the program you’ll be surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs and teams. This will give you an excellent opportunity to build strong working relationships, learn from others’ experiences and also share your own. Each week the program includes compulsory educational seminars but we also provide access to a calendar of educational workshops happening across Hong Kong. Startups will have the opportunity to learn more about how to brand their products/services, launch brands effectively across Asia, how to integrate with a corporate, and be guided through product positioning strategies.
  • Will all the mentors come from INFINITI?
    • No. Some will, but the majority will be a network of entrepreneurs and business leaders in Hong Kong and the region. Does my business need to be a B2C or B2B business?
    • It can be either.
  • Is there a cost to apply?
    • The program is free for startups. INFINITI will cover some of the costs associated with one founder moving to Hong Kong for the duration of the program. Will you arrange my visa? Yes, this will all be arranged once you’ve been accepted into the program.
  • What is a typical day like for an INFINITI accelerator participant?
    • We’re pleased to say there’s no such thing as a typical day. Throughout the program you can expect somewhere in the region of 100 potential meetings with mentors, venture capitalists, CEOs, innovators and industry visionaries.

Application process

  • How does the application process work?
    • Interested startups can apply online through our dedicated F6S application page www.f6s.com/infinitilab-hongkong2018/about. It includes a few simple questions about your company and your team. You’ll have the opportunity to include a video and other collateral that describes your business.
  • How detailed does my idea need to be in the application?
    • In this initial application process, we ask applicants to describe market opportunity, the team, the concept that you want to take forward and how you plan to execute it. The more information you provide, the easier it is for us to assess the full potential of your business.
  • Do I need to send in a business plan?
    • No, just complete the online application.

Location

  • Do companies have to be on-site for the entire 12 week period?
    • The two first weeks of the program will be online and for the next 10 weeks of the program we do require that at least one key team member relocate to Hong Kong for the duration of the program.
  • Does INFINITI provide accommodation for participants?
    • Some support will be given to those coming from overseas for the program.

Nest

  • What is Nest?
    • Nest is the leading full service innovation accelerator platform and early-stage venture capital firm focused on empowering startups and talented founders from around the world build businesses. Nest partners with leading corporations to run a series of mentor-driven accelerators in the fields of FinTech, HealthTech and Smart Cities. Designed to support the needs of high potential and fast growth startups, these programs include a unique mix of resources that enable entrepreneurs to build and scale their businesses rapidly.
  • Why did INFINITI partner with Nest on this program?
    • The INFINITI Accelerator is powered by Nest, meaning that the content of the program is delivered by Nest. With a strong track record for bringing innovative and scalable business ideas to market, INFINITI has chosen the company to partner with for their fourth program in Hong Kong.