Arsenal Innovation Lab launches for start-ups that can improve match day experience

Arsenal Football Club has launched the Arsenal Innovation Lab to work with start-ups who want to create “ground-breaking” new fan experiences and move the club’s business forward.

Enabling the Gunners to work with start-ups to explore how they can improve the match day experience, engage global fans, transform its commercial partners’ offering, and build a retail operation for the future – the lab will also offer selected businesses the chance to come up with “wildcard ideas” and come forward with their own unique projects to help the North London club prosper.

The ten-week programme, which will be run in collaboration with corporate innovation specialist L Marks, will see successful candidates mentored by senior business leaders from the club, as well as being given the opportunity to test and demonstrate products or services in live environments.

There may also be potential investment opportunities.

Vinai Venkatesham, Arsenal’s chief commercial officer, said:

“We know there are many brilliant start-up companies with creative and innovative ideas and we are looking forward to working with them.

“The club has always placed a big emphasis on being pioneering and innovative and we plan to continue this by working with smart-thinking businesses to help us identify ground-breaking ideas to take us forwards.”

Stuart Marks, L Marks chairman, said:

“Community and innovation are at the heart of Arsenal’s history and values, and so it’s incredibly exciting for L Marks to be supporting the club to accelerate their collaborations with startups and tech talent.

“Though based in London, Arsenal has global support which presents amazing opportunities for new businesses working on digital fan engagement and other relevant solutions to work with the club.”

Applications close at midnight, Thursday 12 October 2017.

For more information about the programme and to apply, click here.