BT launches ninth Infinity Lab Competition with focus on mobile innovation

• Competition aims to uncover brilliantly simple ideas with the potential to enhance customer experience on the UK’s biggest 4G mobile network
• EE directors to join BT judging panel for the first time
• The winner will receive mentoring, support and the opportunity to work with BT and EE

BT today launched its ninth Infinity Lab Competition, with a focus on finding new innovations for mobile networks. For the first time, EE will take part in the innovation competition alongside BT Mobile, with EE CEO Marc Allera sponsoring the project.

Open to all start-ups, the competition aims to shine a light on brilliantly simple ideas, with the ultimate goal of offering new experiences to mobile users. Areas of focus will include, but are not limited to:

• Mobile apps and services that fully utilise the world-leading speed, capacity and latency of our 4G network.
• Innovations that enhance the customer experience (analytics & personalisation) and the mobile experience, as well as network efficiency - especially in the most challenging parts of the UK.

Those interested can enter the competition by 7 August via: www.btplc.com/btinfinitylab/futuremobile

Shortlisted companies will be invited to Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, on Tuesday 6 September to present their ideas to BT and EE. The winners will be announced at the “Dragons’ Den” style panel event on 12 September, after which EE and BT will then work with the winning company to evaluate their business and technology and explore opportunities to work together commercially. The winner will be able to take advantage of insight and expertise from both companies’ research, engineering, commercial and marketing teams. The prize also includes six months membership to the TechHub entrepreneur community.

Marc Allera, EE chief executive officer, said: “We are at the forefront of personal communication, providing 4G to millions of customers across the UK. We have built one of the most advanced 4G networks anywhere in the world and are constantly on the lookout for ideas that utilise its strengths and provide amazing new experiences for our customers.

“We are looking for companies and individuals that are driving mobile communication innovation, and encourage relevant start-ups to come and pitch their products to BT and EE.”

John Petter, BT Consumer chief executive, said: “We are reaching out to entrepreneurs around the world, seeking brilliant and simple ideas which can help shape future services used by our customers. We’re inviting entrepreneurs and start-ups to pitch their products and services to our leadership teams and look forward to working with them to help develop pioneering mobile innovations.”

Launched in partnership with TechHub in September 2013, BT has run eight Infinity Lab competitions to date, attracting hundreds of applicants from around the world. In addition to the competition, Infinity Lab also provides a physical lab space, officially opened by Boris Johnson in March 2014. What’s more, BT’s Innovation in Action sessions bring entrepreneurs and BT executives together to discuss innovation and commercial partnerships, while numerous customer events demonstrate how start-ups can bring their innovations to market.