What is the Retail Innovation Challenge?
Dell is looking for entrepreneurs from the US who are developing the technology platforms and mobile solutions that are solving some of our most pressing challenges at retail. From the consumer experience at the shelf to the payment process at checkout, we’re seeking startups that are re-imagining how consumers engage with and purchase consumer electronics, both in store and online.
Some examples of technologies transforming this space include:
- Proximity Marketing and Personalizing the In-Store Shopping Experience
- Next Gen Brick & Mortar Shopper Analytics
- Driving Engagement at Shelf
- Interactive Displays
- Mobile Payments & the Checkout Experience
- Omni-Channel Commerce & the Path to Purchase (E-Commerce, M-Commerce & Social Commerce)
- Inventory & Distribution Optimization
Who can participate?
- The startup must be less than four years old – we’re looking for early-stage innovators disrupting the market.
- The startup technology must be at a stage where it can be live in market.
- The startup must be based in the United States of America.
What is the benefit to startup participants?
Startups have an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate with Dell and third party partners to garner invaluable knowledge and mass exposure.
- Each of the four selected startups will receive funding to work side by side with the marketing team of a participating Dell product line and launch a pilot program at the Dell@Retail event in March 2017.
- Dell will share access to consumer insights and marketing expertise with their startup Partner Network to help develop the product and go-to-market strategy.
- Dell will help drive scale to each startup pilot via their extensive consumer-base, marketing communications and retail partnerships.
How can I participate?
The application period will run from August 31 – Sept 16 2016. A group of top startup applicants will be selected to participate in a pitch event in October 2016, where Dell will select the final startup Partner Network for pilot planning. Click here for full details, rules and eligibility.
How will startups be evaluated?
- VISION & ROADMAP (20% of total score): How solid is the startup’s vision, roadmap and growth strategy? How strong is their overall package in terms of team background, funding, and technology? How likely are they to succeed in their mission? Does the startup have the potential to scale globally?
- RELEVANCE (40% of total score): Does the startup’s technology solve a priority Dell/retailer/shopper marketing challenge (in-store or online)? Is the startup solving a great market inefficiency or consumer problem or is it a “nice-to-have”?
- DESIGN & FUNCTIONALITY (20% of total score): Based on what you can see in their pitch deck, does the startup have a reliable, intuitive and well-designed user interface? Is it something your brand would want to associate with?
- ORIGINALITY (20% of total score): How original is the company concept, mission and technology? Is the startup a first of its kind in the market or are there many other startups out there doing the same thing? If there are other startups in the space, do they have a unique approach that differentiates them? Does the startup have any technology patents?
90 days to create and activate
Starting in November 2016, each of the 4 final selected startups will work with a Dell Product Line team including Dell shopper marketers, Dell sales, and a third party partner. The team will collaborate to design a pilot execution aimed at solving a business challenge and launch together in market within 90 days. At the start of the 90 day pilot planning period, Dell marketers will make the startup headquarters their new home for several days during an immersion session to kick-off pilot ideation and gain a better understanding of each other’s working styles.