US logistics company GXO Logistics has announced the launch of a new accelerator for UK and Ireland startups.

The GXO Accelerator is an Open Innovation programme designed to identify, test and scale new technologies across the UK and Ireland.

The programme is designed and delivered in collaboration with global innovation specialist L Marks. The program will bring together startups, scale-ups and technology specialists through a structured Open Innovation model to explore practical solutions to some of the sector’s most pressing operational challenges.

“Supply chains are evolving rapidly, and collaboration with innovative technology partners is essential to staying ahead of that change,” said Paul Durkin, Chief Operating Officer, UK & Ireland at GXO.

“GXO Accelerator will give innovative technology companies the opportunity to work directly with our teams to tackle real operational challenges and demonstrate the value their solutions can bring to logistics operations today and tomorrow.”

Through the programme, selected companies will participate in a 12-week cohort collaborating with GXO experts in real world logistics settings to implement solutions that have the potential to drive greater efficiency, resilience and sustainability across supply chains.

The programme will focus on four key innovation themes vital to the logistics industry: defence and infrastructure logistics, digital transport, future workforce, as well as a wild card option for technologies that fall outside of defined categories.

Selected participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with GXO’s operational and technology teams in structured test-learn cycles, gaining access to real world scenarios to refine their solutions, with the potential to scale successful innovations within GXO’s UK&I operations.

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“We’re delighted to be launching GXO Accelerator and to support GXO in bringing together leading technology companies to turn innovation into operational reality,” Daniel Saunder CEO at L Marks said.

“GXO’s scale and reach allow technology companies to pilot their solutions in real logistics environments and work directly with the teams responsible for running them.

“Having worked alongside Wincanton as its innovation partner since 2017, it’s great to see that foundation evolve into GXO Accelerator and to help take the programme into its next phase.”