10 BRANDS USING ACCELERATORS TO ADDRESS THE FUTURE OF THEIR INDUSTRIES

Building an innovation pipeline from the outside in.

In the last decade, we have seen the number of startup accelerators go from less than 10 to over 200 according to the Brookings Institute. If you want to get a sense of the most pressing issues an industry is facing look no farther than the topics these brands are exploring. They are turning to networks or building their own to address a range of issues from the future of food to how the gig economy is changing the workplace.

Here is a roundup of 10 companies who are working with startups to explore emerging trends that will help grow their business.

LVMH: Accelerator program for 50 international startups annually at Station F to reinvent the future of luxury 

PepsiCo: a new program for working with startups. Its North America Nutrition division and The Hatchery Chicago, a food and beverage incubator, have struck a partnership aimed at helping entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses.

Sephora: Sephora has chosen 13 female entrepreneurs from seven countries for its third annual beauty startup accelerator, "Sephora Accelerate," according to a company press release. This year marks the largest cohort ever for the program. 

Chobani: The 70,000 square-foot structure will encompass a startup incubator for Idaho food businesses, the Chobani's global research and development team and offices for many more of its 1,000-plus employees.

Johnson & Johnson: JLabs host startups looking for a space to grow their businesses — whether that be developing drugs, coming up with new medical devices, or applying new technology to the world of healthcare.

Tyson Foods: the company announced an agreement to work with two business incubators, Plug and Play and 1871, that will directly connect it to the startup communities of Silicon Valley and Chicago.

Universal Music Group: This fund enables us to support thoughtful entrepreneurs, learn more about emerging business models, and invest in the creation of more opportunities for artists,

Wells Fargo Accelerator: Explores emerging technologies in analytics, cybersecurity, payments, artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and other areas in pursuit of breakthroughs for financial services. 

MetLife: The program focuses on innovations in health & wellness, the gig & sharing economy, benefits marketplaces and underwriting.

Cargill: Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator is a partnership involving Cargill, water and hygiene technology company Ecolab Inc. and venture-capital firm Techstars.