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Ordnance Survey looking to unearth next Pokemon Go with Geovation Programme

The national mapping agency, Ordnance Survey, have announced they are accepting applications for a new cohort of its Geovation Programme in support of innovative GeoTech ideas.

Now in its second year, the Geovation Programme is based out of the Geovation Hub in London and is looking for developers and entrepreneurs wishing to build a business using geospatial technology and data, much like that utilised by the Pokemon Go app.

Successful applicants benefit from funding, resources and developer time with the Geovation team from its Clerkenwell base, along with desk space, mentoring and access to data all geared towards commercialising and making a business out of their ideas.

Some of the programmes previous participants have gone on to significant success, including big data firm GeoSpock who have since secured £3.5m investment and 3D ski map specialists FATMAP who have raised £1m in bridge funding.

Talking about the benefits of the programme, Head of Geovation, Alex Wrottesley, said: “There are a lot of places for startups to get support in London, but it’s vital to find a Programme that offers the focused support a business needs.

“By focusing on our area of expertise we’re able to offer deep industry and technical knowledge which is unique.

“Providing dedicated development resource is something very few places offer and it means the businesses we select can get things started faster and they can move further than they otherwise would have been able to.”

The programme itself is split into four phases, with phase one to three taking place over the first six months with the ultimate goal of creating a GeoTech prototype, aided by up to £10,000 in funding.

If a successful prototype is delivered, participating teams then take part in the programme’s fourth and final phase, where another £10,000 of funding is available to get the idea market-ready.

Calling on high-profile partners including Intel and KPMG, the programme hopes to get people, in Alex’s words, talking about GeoTech in the same way they do about sectors like FinTech.

He added “So if you’re doing something where geospatial data is important to your location, or place, or you want to look at analysis of how things are presented well, you go to Geovation.”

The application process is open now, businesses and individuals have until 17 August to apply.