Dutch retail giant Ahold has partnered with start-up accelerator Startupbootcamp in a move to boost innovation in retail technology.
As part of the three-year deal, Ahold will provide support to new start-ups on the Startupbootcamp eCommerce programme. The young businesses will also benefit from Ahold's vast experience in the retail sector while involved in the programme.
Ten retail start-ups have already been selected for the first phase of the programme companies selected for Startupbootcamp. Ahold will put forward mentors from Albert Heijn and Bol.com to the companies, based in the Netherlands, the UK, the Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal and Israel.
Speaking on the new partnership, Hanneke Faber, chief commercial officer at Ahold, said, “With their creativity and flexibility, Startupbootcamp's young companies are quick to spot what consumers and companies need, while they are also able to commercialise innovations very rapidly."
Faber continued, "With those qualities, they can inspire Ahold to develop further as an omni-channel retailer. At the same time, our mentors will help promising start-ups with a wealth of experience in the areas of both e-commerce and traditional retail."
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