Asos searching for fashion tech start-ups

Asos Ventures, the corporate venture arm of online fashion retailer Asos, has launched a global search in partnership with Wayra UK to find the world’s most innovative fashion technology start-ups.

The eight month long accelerator, which will be housed at Wayra’s London offices, is looking for “mature start-ups with a proven track record” of developing technologies, products and services that complement the Asos experience to help the online retailer improve and personalise its customer experience for its 11 million customers worldwide.

Asos is looking for start-ups who can offer technologies that could enhance the customer experience across web and mobile, and that offer better fulfilment solutions or new ways of understanding and rewarding customers. With the online retailer clearly stating that it is not looking for start-ups in the wearable tech, 3D printing or fashion design space at this time.

Asos Ventures parters with Wayra UK on fashion technology accelerator

The scheme, in partnership with Wayra UK, the start-up accelerator arm of Spanish broadband and telecommunications provider Telefónica, will see a select number of start-ups receiving up to 34,000 pounds in funding, as well as a dedicated office space, access to mentors and business development services, and masterclasses throughout the eight-month scheme.

“Asos has always been known as a digital leader and this partnership will help us continue to serve the needs of our customers as they evolve,” said Cliff Cohen, Asos CIO. “There are specific areas where we would like to accelerate innovation, but we are also excited to hear what ideas come back from the start-ups themselves. The potential here, for Asos, our customers and the companies we end up working with, is huge and Wayra UK is the perfect partner to work with on this search.”

The deadline for the Asos and Wayra UK acceleration programme is 9am on Monday, May 23. Those start-ups selected will go through to the semi-finals on May 26, which will take place at Asos’ offices, and the final will be held on June 2 at the Wayra academy. The eight-month programme will start in July.

Image: Asos website