Unilever Foundry and Lions Innovation are partnering to launch “Foundry 50 at Cannes” – a worldwide search for the top 50 marketing technology startups.
To be chosen for the Foundry 50, startups need to meet the following criteria:
1. Be innovative and truly disruptive, clearly differentiated from competitors already in the market
2. Be relevant and interesting to the brand & marketing industry
3. Incorporation within the last 5 years
4. Raised less than $10 million in equity funding.
Each winning startup will receive a ticket, including accommodation, to the inaugural Lions Innovation – a two-day event, 25th – 26th June, that brings together the worlds of data, technology and ideas during the 62nd annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
The Foundry 50 will be chosen by a panel of experts; including Brent Hoberman co-founder of Founders Forum, Rose Lewis co-founder of startup accelerator Collider, Rob Dembitz head of Lions Innovation, Caitlin Ryan group executive creative director from Karmarama, Olivier Garel, head of Unilever Ventures and Marc Mathieu, senior vice president of global marketing Unilever.
“Lions Innovation is the bridge between start-ups, marketers and the creative community that our industry has been looking for,” said Philip Thomas, CEO of Cannes Lions.
“The Festival was created because of the incredible alchemy that happens when innovative tech is partnered with the right brand and the right idea, and Foundry 50 is dedicated to kick-starting those kinds of relationships – ones that we believe will be instrumental to the future of the industry.”
Brent Hoberman agreed, commenting, “This is a unique opportunity for startups and scale-ups to get in front of some of the world’s leading and most creative brands. At Founders Forum we are delighted to be partnering with Unilever to unearth and select these startups. I have no doubt that the Foundry 50 at Cannes will result in surprising and disruptive success stories of the future.”
Startups can apply here. Applications close 30th April, final Founder 50 will be revealed 25th May.
