Desigual and Wayra announce the 5 startups that will become part of Awesome Lab, its open innovation platform

“Desigual and Wayra announce the 5 startups that will become part of Awesome Lab, its open innovation platform”. Diario Siglo XXI. 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023. Desigual reaffirms its commitment to new generation technological solutions with the incorporation of five new startups to Awesome Lab, its innovation programme developed in collaboration with Wayra, Telefónica's open innovation initiative.In February, an Open Call was launched with the aim of finding projects that respond to needs in key areas for the company, such as optimising marketing actions or improving user experience, and now the winners have just been selected.Eva Sirera, Technology Innovation Leader at Desigual, explains that "Awesome Lab is a space for innovation, creativity and progress. During this second edition, there is an opportunity to meet projects that are already ready to be launched and make a difference in the sector. As part of the Open Desigual philosophy of collaboration, we continue to support start-ups that help us to grow and share our experience as a fashion brand that has transformation as one of its pillars".Three of the startups are focused on marketing. Viewed is a platform that facilitates the inclusion of video in email communication with consumers while Snaps Studio AI is a platform that allows you to create and personalise images thanks to artificial intelligence. Lexy puts AI at the service of content creation for social networks. HR Bot Factory focuses on people management with the help of virtual assistants, digitisation of recruitment processes and task automation. Rever focuses on facilitating online business return processes."Collaborating in this Awesome Lab call is a privilege for Wayra, as it allows us to take advantage of the knowledge of the startup ecosystem to promote innovation within the fashion sector with the help of a leading company like Desigual. From Wayra we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all those selected and express Wayra's conviction of the potential that open innovation offers to corporations and entrepreneurs", says Marta Antúnez, Director of Wayra Barcelona.In total, more than 127 applications were received and after a first selection, seven startups had the opportunity to present their proposal a few weeks ago to an expert jury that, among other criteria, assessed their potential impact on the business and the level of novelty. Finally, the five selected startups will be able to work with the different areas of the company in order to carry out pilot projects. Although the call for proposals was international, all of those chosen are based in Spain, which highlights the potential of the national ecosystem.A continued commitment to collaboration and innovationAwesome Lab was born in 2021 as the first accelerator for startups in the fashion sector in Spain. A pioneering project that in its first edition had the participation of 7 startups. In this second edition, which began last October, Desigual has focused on reinforcing the principle of collaboration and having startups at an advanced stage that allow proofs of concept (POC) or pilots to be activated almost from the very first moment.In addition to the companies that have presented themselves at the Open Call, Desigual and Wayra are actively seeking solutions that will allow them to continue building a more flexible and innovative company that can adapt its business strategy and communication with customers according to current consumer trends. Two scouting sprints - as these periods are called - have already taken place, focusing on specific challenges for product improvement and marketing campaigns.For additional information, please contact:press@itsrever.comAbout REVERREVER is a startup born to revolutionise eCommerce, making the online returns process easier, faster and more sustainable. Born in 2022, the startup was co-founded by Oriol Hernàndez i Fajula and Màrius Montmany. To meet its ambitious expansion plans, the company has brought in internationally renowned investors such as Silicon Valley fund YCombinator, Sequoia’s scouting fund and Mundi Ventures, who join GFC and Óscar Pierre (CEO and co-founder of Glovo). REVER currently has a team of 25 people and a portfolio of more than 100 customers including brands in the Fashion, Shoes, Sports and Electronics sectors. Through a frictionless returns process, the startup enables eCommerce companies to improve internal efficiency and customer experience.About Diario Siglo XXIDiario Siglo XXI is a Spanish digital media of national and international scope with a generalist approach, established in November 2003 by its current director. It stands out for its independence, not linked to any economic, political or media group, and is based on the diversity of ideas, opinions and participation.