• Telefónica's open innovation hub and CaixaBank's international innovation initiative, Global Payments, Worldline, and Visa are joining forces to invest in startups that can accelerate their businesses and generate new opportunities.
• These companies will act as strategic partners for the startups, with the goal of scaling them globally.
Barcelona, February 16, 2021.– Wayra, Telefónica's open innovation hub, and Deeder, a startup created by Wayra Builder and born from an internal Telefónica technology project that, thanks to blockchain technology, allows contracts to be signed through messaging applications, has been one of the startups incorporated into the Zone2boost acceleration program.
Both the promoters of Zone2boost and Telefónica will act as a key partner for the startups. The Telefónica Group will offer the services and advice on connectivity, cloud, and cybersecurity that the startups require, helping entrepreneurs in their decision-making; Likewise, collaborating with the companies behind Zone2boost will allow them to scale rapidly by having access to a multitude of valuable resources, such as a significant customer base, a large distribution channel, improved brand positioning, and increased visibility. Wayra and Zone2boost are starting the new year with this strong and optimistic alliance, following a 2020 of commitment to the entrepreneurial world, in which both entities have supported Spanish and international startups more than ever.
“We are delighted to join forces with Zone2boost and to start 2021 by signing an agreement that will strengthen our commitment to open innovation. This alliance will serve to offer more and better growth opportunities to startups linked to both Telefónica and the companies driving Zone2boost,” says Marta Antúnez, director of Wayra Barcelona.
For Zone2boost, this alliance is also important, as the project's partner companies state:
"It is an opportunity to boost innovation and the creation of new services. Collaboration with startups and SMEs allows large companies "Improve agility and efficiency in innovation, accelerate the time from the emergence of an idea to the commercialization of the new product or service, and help identify talent."
About Wayra
Wayra is the entrepreneurship initiative that is part of Telefónica's Open Innovation program, the most global, technological, and connected in the world. It has seven Wayra Hubs, spaces in nine countries across Latin America and Europe through which it invests in and supports startups; Wayra X, a digital hub for investing in 100% digital startups; Wayra Builder, a corporate venture builder for creating innovative startups born from Telefónica's internal technology projects alongside other investors; and Wayra Next Trend, a window into digital innovation, showcasing trends and innovative applications. Furthermore, through the Wayra Activation Programme, it offers entrepreneurs exclusive and free access to new technologies through Telefónica's own platforms. More than 500 of the startups in which Telefónica has invested are part of its Open Innovation program, and more than 130 are doing business with the company.
More information available at www.wayra.com
About Zone2boost
The mission of Zone2boost is to identify innovative business initiatives in the fields of technology to Zone2boost aims to support businesses and financial services in general and assist them in their growth. The international innovation initiative has completed its first year of operation with over 300 startups evaluated, 8 startups joining its acceleration program, and a committed investment volume of €800,000. Furthermore, Zone2boost has added Visa as a partner, joining CaixaBank, Global Payments, and Worldline as a driving force behind the project.