If you remember Sony’s e-paper FES Watch, then you’ll know Sony has a small engineering team tasked with coming up with new gadget ideas. Within the business, Sony’s Seed Acceleration Program looked to fast-track new ideas into fully-fledged businesses. The latest initiative from this programme is the launch of “First Flight”, a crowdfunding and e-commerce platform.
The First Flight platform will allow start-ups to share their ideas then bring those ideas to fruition. Sony will support the launch of new business ventures through the platform. The first two business projects to launch on the platform will be MESH, which is a smart DIY kit that “turns anyone into an inventor,” and the e-paper Fes watch. Sony has also unveiled the e-paper HUIS remote control. For further information check out the dedicated First Flight site (Japanese only).
Kazuo Hirai, CEO of Sony Corporation, said the following regarding First Flight: “Sony’s innovation is ingrained in the company’s founding spirit of `doing what has never been done before.’ Nothing embodies this spirit more than passionate entrepreneurs who give shape to their ground-breaking ideas and introduce them to the world, without fear of failure. The First Flight platform and other Seed Acceleration Program initiatives accelerate and optimize this process. Sony itself originated as a start-up, and through the Seed Acceleration Program we are challenging ourselves to return to our entrepreneurial roots. At Sony we will continue to explore ways of delivering new, emotionally compelling experiences and enhanced customer value.”
Via Sony.
Thanks Colby!