*London Midland invited 10 startups to join their Labs accelerator programme. Yesterday, the startups pitched their rail ideas to 250 people at the London Midland Labs demo day. We went along as part of the audience to soak up some inspiration for some of our current digital projects.*
The 13-week program is based at the new Icentrum building in Birmingham. This was also our base for the evening. Each startup had five minutes to pitch their ideas to the packed room.
Here’s an express version of their pitches.
**(link: https://kompasapp.com/ text: KOMPAS)** is a mobile application that uses machine learning to recommend travel options based on your experiences and interests.
**(link: http://www.touchbyte.co.uk/ text: Touchbyte’s)** facial recognition tool gives accurate, real-time customer insight and validation of ‘people in places’. The tool gives greater insight into who their passengers are and their movements around a station, which can help improve a customer’s experience.
**(link: http://sphere.chat/ text: Sphere)** is an automated messaging bot that lets commuters communicate with nearby transport services via social media. Sphere integrates with existing apps so people can book their journey by talking to a chat bot. The app knows the best method of transport and books an Uber or recommends using the tube, if that method is faster.
**(link: http://www.qshy.co.uk/ text: Q Shy)** uses location data from people’s devices so transport organisations can deliver more intelligent services.
**(link: http://www.railrepay.com/ text: Rail Repay)** automatically pays customers when they’re due compensation or a refund for their journey.
**(link: http://www.braci.co/ text: Braci)** recognises sounds, like tannoy announcements, and converts them into text alerts by digitally fingerprinting sounds.
**(link: https://warwickanalytics.com/ text: Warwick Analytics)** uses algorithms to analyse data. It helps predict when a train needs maintenance before it breaks, and helps train drivers save energy while driving.
**(link: http://www.limitlesstravel.org/ text: Limitless travel)** is a startup that provides holidays, tours and travel for people living with disability.
(link: http://popwork.co/ text: **Popwork**’s) pop-up pods offer on-demand meeting spaces. The app-driven network allows users to locate, book and open a pod. The pods allow private meetings for up to eight people, which is ideal when surrounding cafes and platforms can be busy and loud. The pods can be erected in almost any unused space and dismantled without leaving any lasting effect on the space. Using the pods in a train station is ideal middle-ground for two people traveling from different locations.
**(link: https://transreport.co.uk/ text: Transreport)** seamlessly connects passengers with trains and stations using smart-sensor networks. Transreport Disability Assist lets passengers and their families book assisted travel with just a few click of the app. The smart sensor lets family members know where their relative is on the train network in real time. The app also reports issues live from customers, like vandalism and broken equipment.
After the pitches, the panel held a discussion and Q&A session with the startups and investors.
The final section of the night was an awards presentation, which saw the managing director of London Midland award a number of startups and individuals for their hard work and ideas.
(image: https://assets.superdream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/07151851/The_Quest_London_Midland_Labs_2000x1240px-1024×635.jpg alt: The_Quest_London_Midland_Labs_2000x1240px)
In a surprise announcement, London Midland said they would continue to work closely with six of the startups who were ready to go to market with their products, and continue to support the remaining four.
The whole event was brilliantly MCed by BBC Click’s Kate Russell, who kept the whole night running on track (and full of train puns).
A number of street food vendors from Digbeth Dining Club provided the food and local brewery, Purity, kept us hydrated with their award-winning ales.
(image: https://assets.superdream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/07153424/burgers.jpg alt: burgers)
It’s great to see large companies like London Midland set up initiatives that support startups. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and were inspired by the ideas presented. I’m sure London Midland will benefit from some of the ideas pitched, and let’s hope all the startups reach their final destination…