YORK headquartered rail operator Virgin Trains East Coast has launched a new programme to find the next generation of start-up firms to revolutionise train travel.

Platform-X has been launched by Virgin Trains East Coast in partnership with Virgin StartUp in a bid to identify and inspire new business with the potential to tackle problems in the rail industry.

The programme will run through a series of four innovation challenges, with successful applicants benefitting from access to funding for in-market trials through the £25 million Virgin Trains East Coast Innovation Fund as well as mentoring from the Senior Management Team at Virgin Trains on the East Coast, who will be able to help develop go-to-market strategies.

Start-ups are invited to pitch their ideas for a product or service that will tackle one of the four challenges, which focus around customer journey satisfaction, information about customers, tackling operational challenges, and utilising ideas from other parts of life to benefit the rail industry.

Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder said: “Business is at its best when it’s pushing boundaries and disrupting the status quo.

“I’m proud to see both Virgin StartUp and Virgin Trains coming together with the ambition to change the face of rail travel for those up and down the east coast.

“We are all capable of innovating, and should be encouraged to do so whenever possible.

“Even the most simple ideas can revolutionise standards, I’m excited to see what solutions are put forward to our teams.”

Start-ups are invited to apply via www.platformx.co.uk. The deadline for entries is Monday, June 11 and those shortlisted will be invited to pitch their ideas on June 21 to secure their place on the programme, which starts on July 3. Selected start-ups will be invited to test their ideas with in-market trials, which could pave the way for a future partnership with Virgin Trains

Nicola McGuiness-Brown, head of the Innovation Fund at Virgin Trains East Coast said: “Platform-X gives us a great opportunity to invite ideas from technologists and start-ups about how we could transform rail journeys in the future and in return provides them with the opportunity to grow and scale their business.

“We’re really excited about hearing from the brightest and best innovators about how we can do things differently, and we hope we can help take some of these start-ups with us.”

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