Inspiring Growth: Our journey on Launchpad, Google’s startup programme

In January 2017, we were one of a handful of only five UK startups selected to take part in Launchpad, Google’s global startup programme; one of Google’s newest startup hubs centred in London’s Shoreditch.

The programme gives growth-stage tech startups access to an elite community of like-minded individuals as well as equity free support from mentors, Silicon Valley experts and an events schedule tailored towards rapid growth.

To get onto the programme, we were selected by The SETSquared Partnership to give a 20 minute pitch to Google’s Global Technology Lead, Mark Masterson, which was followed by an on-the-spot review of our tech stack and system architecture in front of a live audience.

Google’s Global Technology Lead, Mark, was extremely impressed by our pitch and having invited us onto the programme in early 2017, continues to provide invaluable support to our business.

Here’s what he had to say about us:

“Verv is my favourite tech start-up at the moment and that’s why I was proud to have them part of the google campus launchpad accelerator programme. Their talented team of rockstar data scientists and engineers continue to push the boundaries of this technology and their smart home product is really innovative, I’m very proud to support them.”

Speaking of our blockchain-based energy trading platform, Mark added:

“The team, which has combined technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain, are doing really innovative and interesting things and I’m really excited to see where they’re going to go with it next.”

October 2017, Mark Masterson, Global Technology Lead, Google.

Having this kind of backing from a company like Google is incredible and a testament to the technology that we’ve built. Impressing Google is no mean feat and we’re proud to have done it!

Our experience here definitely helped to inspire further development of the Verv energy trading platform and in turn its accompanying VLUX token as we look to accelerate its growth and develop more partnerships.

Here’s an outline of what else we gained from the programme:

• ‘Founders Lunches’ with successful Google Launchpad graduates, some visiting from Silicon Valley
• Tailored workshops with various Entrepreneurs in Residence, individuals from Google Ventures and also leaders from Google Corporate Development who gave advice ranging from developing our pitch, marketing our product, growing our team, attracting investment and honing our technology
• One-to-one workshops enhancing our personal skills including public speaking and charisma, which subsequently led to speaking opportunities at Google’s Campus London to practice our skills
• Advice from Entrepreneurs who had successfully exited a company through acquisition
• Introductions to industry experts in our field including Product Managers at NEST, of whom we are still in regular contact with even though the official programme has ended