Description
In this detailed explanation in regard to diageo launches new venture to partner with leading tech start ups around the world.
Final draft – 04.09.2014
Strictly embargoed until 00.01 BTS, Monday 8 September 2014
Diageo launches new venture to partner with leading tech start-ups around the world
Programme to launch with brief to encourage responsible drinking
Diageo has created a new global innovation programme - Diageo Technology Ventures - designed to
solve existing business challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth by working with
emerging technology companies and entrepreneurs.
Through the programme, Diageo will partner with companies across the globe to rapidly develop
and pilot technology solutions in response to a series of focussed business briefs. Successful
applicants will work with some of Diageo’s leading talent to develop their solution and a US$100,000
fund will be committed by Diageo to support each pilot project.
Syl Saller, Chief Marketing Officer, said: “Tech start-ups and entrepreneurs are truly defining
disruptive innovation, driven by an irrepressible appetite to experiment and a willingness to take
risks. Diageo Technology Ventures allows us to access this world as we look to solve some of our
biggest business challenges.
“This programme will also further build our internal ability to move with pace and provoke a genuine
entrepreneurial mind-set in our pursuit of breakthrough innovation. It underlines our fundamental
belief that through partnerships with forward-thinking start-ups and entrepreneurs we will deliver
competitive advantage for our business.”
Cementing Diageo’s ongoing commitment to tackling irresponsible drinking, the programme will
launch with a brief which seeks out technologies and platforms that can be used to help consumers to
drink responsibly. The brief will challenge applicants to tap into existing digital behaviours or utilise
platforms already widely used by young adults above the legal purchase age.
The second brief developed for launch will look for solutions to support retailers and distributors in
countering retail theft.
Diageo plans to issue a number of briefs during the first year of the programme and will fund
multiple pilots per brief. All funding decisions will be made by a steering group of senior leaders
including Syl Saller, Chief Marketing Officer.
Applicants are invited to apply via the diageo.com website http://www.diageo.com/en-
row/ourbusiness/diageo-technology-ventures/Pages/default.aspx. Decisions on who will be invited
into the scheme will take place by December.
ENDS
Media enquiries
Victoria Ward, Corporate Communications Manager, Diageo – [email protected]
020 8978 4353
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits,
beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J?B, Buchanan’s,
Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don
Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.
The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange
(DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at
www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for
information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
doc_242941336.pdf
In this detailed explanation in regard to diageo launches new venture to partner with leading tech start ups around the world.
Final draft – 04.09.2014
Strictly embargoed until 00.01 BTS, Monday 8 September 2014
Diageo launches new venture to partner with leading tech start-ups around the world
Programme to launch with brief to encourage responsible drinking
Diageo has created a new global innovation programme - Diageo Technology Ventures - designed to
solve existing business challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth by working with
emerging technology companies and entrepreneurs.
Through the programme, Diageo will partner with companies across the globe to rapidly develop
and pilot technology solutions in response to a series of focussed business briefs. Successful
applicants will work with some of Diageo’s leading talent to develop their solution and a US$100,000
fund will be committed by Diageo to support each pilot project.
Syl Saller, Chief Marketing Officer, said: “Tech start-ups and entrepreneurs are truly defining
disruptive innovation, driven by an irrepressible appetite to experiment and a willingness to take
risks. Diageo Technology Ventures allows us to access this world as we look to solve some of our
biggest business challenges.
“This programme will also further build our internal ability to move with pace and provoke a genuine
entrepreneurial mind-set in our pursuit of breakthrough innovation. It underlines our fundamental
belief that through partnerships with forward-thinking start-ups and entrepreneurs we will deliver
competitive advantage for our business.”
Cementing Diageo’s ongoing commitment to tackling irresponsible drinking, the programme will
launch with a brief which seeks out technologies and platforms that can be used to help consumers to
drink responsibly. The brief will challenge applicants to tap into existing digital behaviours or utilise
platforms already widely used by young adults above the legal purchase age.
The second brief developed for launch will look for solutions to support retailers and distributors in
countering retail theft.
Diageo plans to issue a number of briefs during the first year of the programme and will fund
multiple pilots per brief. All funding decisions will be made by a steering group of senior leaders
including Syl Saller, Chief Marketing Officer.
Applicants are invited to apply via the diageo.com website http://www.diageo.com/en-
row/ourbusiness/diageo-technology-ventures/Pages/default.aspx. Decisions on who will be invited
into the scheme will take place by December.
ENDS
Media enquiries
Victoria Ward, Corporate Communications Manager, Diageo – [email protected]
020 8978 4353
About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits,
beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J?B, Buchanan’s,
Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don
Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.
The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange
(DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at
www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for
information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
doc_242941336.pdf