Food-tech firm Flying SpArk was one of the 10 companies out of more than 1,200 that will join IKEA’s product development centre in Älmhult, Sweden, this month.
“We are excited to join the IKEA accelerator and to have the opportunity to learn how to work with a giant retailer like IKEA,” said Eran Gronich, co-founder and CEO of Flying SpArk.
“This will completely enhance our product development and how we progress. IKEA will mentor and work with our team towards eventual collaboration between the companies to develop a product and hopefully launch it at IKEA’s restaurants.”
Positive global impact
The idea behind IKEA’s boot camp is this: help incubate start-ups to working on solutions that could solve the world’s “big problems”. IKEA said the project was about “co-creating a better, everyday life”.
The Swedish giant’s income from food alone last year was an estimated €2bn and the business wants to explore ways this business area can help make a “positive impact on the planet, people and society”.
The 10 start-ups signed up by IKEA will have access to the company’s prototype shop, test labs and innovation development. Each company will also receive a €20,000 grant and will not have to give IKEA equity.
