ghd and CW (Cambridge Wireless) establish Innovation Hive in Cambridge and seek technology start-ups
ghd is the best known hair styling brand in the world whose successful entrepreneurial heritage led to an acquisition by the third largest global beauty company, Coty. Now, with the support of the CW community and the upcoming generation of technology entrepreneurs, ghd is entering the connected devices market, and they are offering an unmissable opportunity for start-ups to contribute to the next stage of a massively successful product line.
Abhi Naha, Chief Commercial Officer at CW
Five chosen companies will be invited to spend three months from October 2018 working alongside ghd R&D, the CW community and local technology mentors to co-design a prototype connected hair styling device. The work will be funded and if intellectual property from the ghd Innovation Hive is taken to market, start-ups may negotiate commercial terms. The ghd Innovation Hive is looking for start-ups with experience and skills in (but not restricted to):
- Connected and smart devices
- Sensor technology
- Internet of things
- Mobile applications
- User experience
- Machine learning and data processing
- Data security
Putting the capabilities of digital connectivity into the hands of users is the next step for beauty electronics and the best ideas always come from diverse, inclusive teams. By nurturing start-ups in the ghd Innovation Hive and aligning their creativity and agility with the experience of the ghd product development team, we will be able to design advanced device prototypes in a shorter period of time.
Tim Moore, VP Smart Devices at Coty
Based in the Bradfield Centre, a Cambridge co-working space for scale-ups, the ghd Innovation Hive will offer a supportive and fast-paced environment for talented engineers, software developers and user experience designers. It will immerse participants in the user requirements of the beauty industry and involve experts from across the supply chain, from device designers to salon technicians.
Notes to Editors
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About CW (Cambridge Wireless)
CW is the leading international community for companies involved in the research, development and application of wireless and mobile, internet, semiconductor and software technologies.
With over 400 members from major network operators and device manufacturers to innovative start-ups and universities, CW stimulates debate and collaboration, harnesses and shares knowledge, and helps to build connections between academia and industry.
CW's 19 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) provide its members with a dynamic forum where they can network with their peers, track the latest technology trends and business developments and position their organisations in key market sectors. CW also organises major conferences and start-up competitions along with other high-quality industry networking events and dinners. With headquarters at the heart of Cambridge, UK, CW partners with other international industry clusters and organisations to extend its reach and remain at the forefront of global developments and business opportunities. For more info head to www.cambridgewireless.co.uk.
About ghd
ghd is the global leader in hair tools and the UK’s number one recommended styling brand, with tools used and sold in over 50,000 salons worldwide. The brand has won over 200 beauty awards globally and proudly sells 4 stylers every minute across the globe.
This cult beauty brand started in 2001, when three men from Yorkshire put a radical new hair styling product into the hands of British women. With the endorsement of a nationwide army of stylists, a monthly trip to the salon no longer represented a good hair day – every day had the potential to be a good hair day and for millions of women this changed everything. This iconic moment for the beauty industry initiated a cult following around the globe and 17 years later ghd has become an essential part of the daily lives of women everywhere. For additional information about ghd, please visit www.ghdhair.com.
About Coty
Coty is one of the world’s largest beauty companies with approximately $9 billion in pro forma revenue, an iconic portfolio of brands and a purpose to celebrate and liberate the diversity of consumers’ beauty. We believe the beauty of humanity lies in the individuality of its people; beauty is at its best when authentic; and beauty should make you feel happy, never sad. As the global leader in fragrance, a strong number two in professional salon hair colour & styling, and number three in colour cosmetics, Coty operates three divisions: Consumer Beauty, which is focused on mass colour cosmetics, mass retail hair colouring and styling products, body care and mass fragrances with brands such as COVERGIRL, Max Factor, Bourjois and Rimmel; Luxury, which is focused on prestige fragrances and skincare with brands such as Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Hugo Boss, Gucci and philosophy; and Professional Beauty, which is focused on servicing salon owners and professionals in both hair and nail, with brands such as Wella Professionals, Sebastian Professional, OPI and ghd. Coty has over 20,000 colleagues globally and its products are sold in over 150 countries. Coty and its brands are committed to a range of social causes as well as seeking to minimize its impact on the environment.
For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.