Disney invites SEA tech-based media and entertainment startups to its accelerator

  • 10 startup companies to be chosen for 3mth programme beginning July 6
  • Participants to be offered US$120K in investment capital, plus mentor support
Disney invites SEA tech-based media and entertainment startups to its accelerator

THE Walt Disney Company announced that it is accepting applications for its second Disney Accelerator programme, powered by Techstars.
 
The Disney Accelerator will select a class of 10 startup companies for a three-month mentorship and investment programme beginning July 6, 2015 and concluding with a Demo Day on Oct 6, 2015, it said in a statement.
 
The programme is open to technology-based startups with a vision for making an impact on the world of media and entertainment, Disney said.
 
Participants will be offered US$120,000 in investment capital along with mentor support from top Disney executives, entrepreneurs, investors and other notable business leaders from the entertainment and technology communities.
 
In 2014, Disney launched its first Disney Accelerator with companies focused on a range of products including connected toys, mobile video, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) applications, social media, advertising technology and more.
 
Disney continues to work with many of the alumni from the inaugural class, which included Choremonster, Codarica, Jogg, Naritiv, Sidelines, Smart Toy, SnowShoe, Sphero, Twigtale and Tyffon.
 
The 2014 accelerator class reached a number of significant milestones during the programme, Disney said.
 
SnowShoe secured US$2.2 million in seed financing; ChoreMonster and Codarica both launched mobile apps; Sphero introduced its new Ollie product; and Smart Toy was acquired by Cartwheel Kids, a Los Angeles-based manufacturer of children’s products.
 
“The Disney Accelerator was born of Disney’s long term commitment to innovation and its position at the intersection of technology and entertainment,” said Kevin Mayer, Disney’s executive vice president of Corporate Strategy and Business Development.
 
“The 2014 Disney Accelerator demonstrated that pairing Disney’s creative and business talent with entrepreneurs can produce an energising and valuable exchange of ideas and promote tremendous innovation,” he added.
 
Techstars has an interconnected network of over 3,000 successful entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and corporate partners, and runs 15 programmes worldwide.
 
It said that since 2006, 80% of the 500 companies from almost 40 Techstars programmes have received funding, representing approximately US$2.5 billion in market capitalisation.
 
For more information about the Disney Accelerator, go to www.DisneyAccelerator.com.
 
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