- INFINITI LAB Toronto also releases report finding that Canadians are most looking forward to the enhanced safety and cost saving benefits associated with smart city and automotive technologies
- Nine startups presented their businesses to a panel of investors, including Alliance Ventures, with an opportunity to pitch for funding from the capital venture fund up to $1 billion USD operated by Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi
TORONTO, July 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, INFINITI LAB Toronto, a Smart Cities and Internet of Things (IoT) accelerator driven by premium car brand INFINITI Motor Company, announced that SmartTones, a platform that can accurately measure broadcast audiences in real-time, will be fast-tracked to a new 12-week program held at its global headquarters in Hong Kong this September. Brisk Synergies, an automated video analytics solution that helps transportation authorities to identify traffic patterns and avoid road safety problems, has also been invited to pitch for entry to the global program.
At the event, each of this year’s nine participating startups pitched their businesses to a panel of investors, including Adam Paterson, Managing Director of INFINITI Canada, Darren Plested, Head of Business Development at INFINITI LAB, Alain Ballu, President of Nissan Canada Financial Services, Brian Kobus, Partner at OMERS Ventures and Jean-Christophe Lebarre, Innovation and Partnerships Director at Alliance Ventures.
The announcement follows the release of a new report* from INFINITI LAB Toronto, focusing on Canadians’ expectations of smart city and automotive technologies. The report found that 66 per cent of Canadians are most looking forward to the cost savings associated with smart cities, while 57 per cent are optimistic about enhanced safety. Furthermore, 50 per cent, are excited for the decreased environmental impact as a result of innovative smart city solutions. When it came to new automotive technology in particular, the report found that 29 per cent of Canadians believe increased road safety will be the main benefit.
“The report reinforced our decision to select SmartTones to progress to our global accelerator, SmartTones demonstrated their product has the potential to connect and enhance communications while empowering individuals with tailored experiences saving time and money. The upcoming Hong Kong program will support to accelerate its success,” said Adam Paterson, Managing Director of INFINITI Canada. “We wish the best of luck to each of the startups and founders that participated in the 2018 cohort as they continue to develop cutting edge solutions designed to make our cities smarter and the lives of those around us easier.”
As a participant in INFINITI LAB’s three-month global program in Hong Kong, SmartTones will receive further mentorship opportunities across the full business spectrum as well as the opportunity to connect with Asia’s investors. The global program places a critical focus on its startups’ growth and includes one-on-one mentorship from INFINITI’s executive team and experts in brand, digital, product and network transformation. The Hong Kong program will welcome its fourth cohort in September of this year.
“I’m thrilled that SmartTones was given the opportunity to move on to the INFINITI LAB Hong Kong accelerator,” said Daryl Hemingway, CEO and Founder of SmartTones Media. “The Toronto LAB has been an incredible opportunity for us and we believe that Canadians are eager for more meaningful and rewarding ways to interact with the brands they love and trust. I look forward to learning from and collaborating with the INFINITI global team and to bringing that innovation and expertise back to Canada.”
The six-week INFINITI Lab Toronto accelerator began on May 30, and the other companies in the program included ShiftRide, DriveHER, Clutch, UTO, Ordermotive, Brisk Synergies, Acerta, and Sylidra.
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with representations in 50 markets around the world. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. INFINITI design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing. INFINITI is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its daring design and innovative driver-assistance technologies. From the 2016 season, INFINITI is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.
More information about INFINITI and its industry leading technologies can be found at INFINITI.ca.
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About INFINITI LAB:
INFINITI LAB is a global accelerator that helps entrepreneurs achieve success. Our programs give startups expert mentoring and access to our unrivalled network of partners and investors. INFINITI LAB offers four unique programs, run in locations around the world, to support startups at any stage on their path to success.
More information about INFINITI LAB can be found at: www.infiniti.com/LAB
About Alliance Ventures:
Groupe Renault, Nissan Motor and Mitsubishi Motors represent the world’s largest automotive alliance. It is the longest-lasting and most productive cross-cultural partnership in the auto industry. Together, the partners sold more than 10.6 million vehicles in nearly 200 countries in 2017. The member companies are focused on collaboration and maximizing synergies to boost competitiveness. They have strategic collaborations with other automotive groups, including Germany’s Daimler and China’s Dongfeng. This strategic alliance is the industry leader in zero-emission vehicles and is developing the latest advanced technologies, with plans to offer autonomous drive, connectivity features and services on a wide range of affordable vehicles.
About Multiplicity:
Toronto based Multiplicity operates at the intersection of enabling founders to build great startups and helping enterprise develop innovation. Multiplicity operates a portfolio of grassroots accelerator programs with a global reach.
Please visit: www.multiplicitylabs.com to find out more.
Maru/Blue Survey Results
*From June 27th to June 28th 2018 an online survey of 1,513 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Maru Voice Canada panelists was executed by Maru/Blue. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size has an estimated margin of error (which measures sampling variability) of +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.
Media contacts:
Didier Marsaud
Director, Corporate Communications
INFINITI Motor Company - Canada
Telephone: 905-629-6400
Email: didier.marsaud@infiniticanada.com
Jenn McCarthy
Manager, Product Communications
INFINITI Motor Company - Canada
Telephone: 905-629-6350
Email: jennifer.mccarthy@infiniticanada.com
Roxane Barry
Specialist, Corporate Communications
INFINITI Motor Company - Canada
Telephone: 905-629-6461
Email: roxane.barry@infiniticanada.com
Jamie Gillingham
Account Manager
Eighty-Eight
Telephone: 416-460-1668
Email: jamie@eightyeightagency.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/45392dbe-7470-46ff-b761-75cbb3daf588
An infographic accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/922bdf4e-6756-413c-83f2-157f63cdbc42