Irish Start-Up Makes ‘Accelerator’ Programme

Irish founded start-up Wayleadr is one of five companies to be accepted into the Sodexo UK and Ireland Accelerators programme in partnership with innovation specialist L Marks.

Wayleadr, the solo Irish company to make the cut, will now take part in a 10-week programme to road-test its proposition as part of Sodexo's aim to collaborate with start-ups in developing innovative new solutions in the areas of smart buildings, employee experience and sustainability. The software as a service start-up reimagines the last mile of commuter journeys by connecting smart buildings with smart vehicles, saving time, rightsizing real estate spend and curbing carbon emissions.

Over 400 start-ups applied to the progamme launched in January 2022, and Wayleadr was one of 21 selected to pitch their business propositions to Sodexo at live events in London and Dublin.

The 21 start-ups pitched their innovations (virtually and in-person) to an audience of Sodexo senior leaders; operational teams; the organisation's experts in areas such as sustainability, employee engagement, marketing and supply chain as well as market consultants.

In order to ensure solutions relevant to its operations were among the finalists, Sodexo opened up the pitches to its colleagues around the business by live-streaming the events and enabling colleagues to have a say through an app-based voting platform.

The five finalists will now work with Sodexo teams on a ten-week programme that will enable them to test, refine and adapt their business propositions in a live operational environment. They will be mentored and supported by Sodexo's subject matter experts and will work within the transformational mindset of the company's Vital Spaces workplace value proposition.

Julie Ennis, CEO Sodexo Corporate Services, UK & Ireland said: "We were delighted with the quality and volume of applications we received for the programme. The pitch days were very exciting and action-packed."