BBC Worldwide Labs
What is it?
BBC Worldwide's Labs is a comprehensive six month programme for
emerging digital media companies in the UK. Labs aims to help
selected start-ups gain traction and scale by working closely with
them with the objective of helping them strike a commercial
partnership with BBC Worldwide. We don't take equity but rather
focus on promoting innovation through mentorship and access to the
varied resources of BBC Worldwide.
Labs participants are given the chance to work in close contact
with experts at BBC Worldwide across all divisions: from technology
and content to marketing, sales, advertising and legal. In
addition, participants have access to prime office space in the
Media Centre in White City, technical resources, monthly mentoring
sessions and networking events - all comprising the rich BBC
Worldwide ecosystem.
Labs is aimed at helping a select group of companies grow and
scale on a global basis, by offering a more tailored and
collaborative approach. Our goal is to strategically and
commercially partner with and support the most innovative
up-and-coming digital media companies that are helping to define
the emerging digital landscape.
Who should apply?
Labs is looking for early-stage digital companies focused on the
intersection of technology and media, based in the UK but with
global reach. We are interested in companies at the point of
commercialisation whereby a partnership with BBC Worldwide can help
catapult them to the next level of success.
Participating companies will have a strong mix of talent, an
innovative technology with a clear commercial application, and an
ambitious growth strategy for the coming year.
We welcome a broad range of companies from: web applications,
gaming, virtual worlds, mobile, advertising technologies, advanced
video applications, connected TV, community and collaborative
software and CRM, to name a few.
Will BBC Worldwide Labs invest in the start-ups?
BBC Worldwide invests time, mentors and office space into the
selected Labs companies with the aim of creating commercial
partnerships. Labs is not an investment fund and will not invest
cash nor take an equity stake. Participating in Labs does not
guarantee a commercial contract. However, our main point of
differentiation amongst the various incubators and accelerators
already out there is the increased ability to partner with BBC
Worldwide.
How do I apply to the programme?
Submissions for the second Labs program are now open until April
4th. . Companies who wish to be considered
for the programme are asked to submit an application for review by
the Advisory Board.
Download the
application.
A limited number of selected companies will be asked in for
one-on-one interviews with Advisory Board members and the final
companies will be announced
later this Spring.
Labs selected companies will begin the programme and move into
the Media Centre in White City this June.
Who selects the companies?
Labs has an Advisory Board comprised of three internal and three
external experts that will provide guidance for the programme,
portfolio selection and programme curriculum.
For more information, please visit the Labs site
and view the FAQ.
You can also follow us on Twitter @BBCWLabs 
or
join our Facebook
page
Return to Digital