IKEA Centres Russia launches Russia’s first retail start-up accelerator
IKEA Centres Russia, the operator of the MEGA shopping centre chain in Russia and part of the IKEA Group, has announced that it has launched the first retail start-up accelerator in Russia.
MEGA Accelerator has been designed to bring together developers, programmers, business experts, retail specialists, designers and marketeers with the aim of improving the retail environment and shopping experience.
IKEA Centres Russia now routinely monitors all new trends in the retail industry and is looking for innovative ideas that can improve customer experience for its 14 MEGA shopping centres across Russia.
“We believe that new start-up companies are a great source of revolutionary ideas and inspiration, and MEGA Accelerator will provide a platform for the development of the most innovative of them. We are confident that MEGA Accelerator will become the focus for our drive for innovation and transformational growth of MEGA centres and the retail industry as a whole”, said Armin Michaely, general director at IKEA Centres Russia.
Registration closes in January 2016 and will followed by the teams’ evaluation and selection for the next stage. In March 2016, selected teams will be invited to the business incubator to test and develop their ideas supported by project mentors. The winner will be announced in June 2016.
MEGA Accelerator has been set up with the support of GVA LaunchGurus, a start-up and entrepreneurship business bringing together start-up accelerator, education courses for emergent entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, as well as a seed fund.
IKEA Centres Russia will provide creative office space and other resources for MEGA ACCELERATOR participants to develop their ideas. Teams selected for the accelerator will get €5,000 each, and the winner will receive €50,000 to further develop the idea for MEGA shopping centres.
