Lowe brings start-up accelerator program to develop techs

BANGALORE, INDIA: Lowe’s Innovation Labs is launching a start-up accelerator for technologies like augmented and virtual reality, 3D scanning and printing, and robotics.

The start-ups will participate in an intensive 16-week accelerator program and have the opportunity to partner with the Lowe’s Innovation Labs to deploy their technology in the US.

Beginning with science fiction prototyping to craft a narrative for the future, in its first year Lowe Labs collaborated with start-ups to introduce Holoroom, an augmented reality home improvement design tool, the OSHbot autonomous retail service robot and in-store and online 3D scanning and printing.

“We are energized by the talent and community in Bangalore, and are excited to build our global portfolio with a focus on developing entrepreneurs in addition to technology. In our first year, Lowe’s Innovation Labs demonstrated a bias toward action – doing and not just talking, and Bangalore will be an extension of our team’s work in the US,” said Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs.

Future LIL initiatives will include an incubator program to further develop talent and technology, and partnerships with leading Bangalore universities to sponsor research.