Bupa’s Customer Lab has just launched its new Blue Table accelerator programme, inviting startups and small businesses to partner with the company to tackle key customer challenges in insurance, health and care experiences and wellbeing change. Blue Table is the first project from Bupa’s new Customer Lab, which was recently established within the business to explore new ways of delivering high quality, comprehensive health and care services which meet customer needs in the digital age.
Blue Table will offer startups and small businesses the chance to pilot and test their ideas inside a global health and care company while also giving them the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of the millions of customers Bupa serves worldwide.
The 10-week programme will be run in collaboration with corporate innovation specialist L Marks and successful candidates will be mentored by senior Bupa business leaders and tech experts. They will have access to office space in central London to develop their ideas and L Marks will provide potential investment opportunities.
As part of Blue Table, the Customer Lab is looking for pitches which deliver innovation solutions to key customer challenges in three key areas:
- Next Generation Insurance – health insurance is changing as people’s needs and expectations around health and care access and protection continue to evolve. How can we make insurance more accessible and flexible to all who need it?
- Your Health Experience – we pride ourselves on providing care excellence in all our services. How can we help people navigate their health, care and wellbeing to ensure they receive the best experience and outcome from it?
- Healthy Behaviours – there is a lot of unclear and conflicting advice regarding health and wellbeing. How can we support people in taking ownership of their own health and making the best decisions for themselves and their families?
There is also a wildcard category for startups and small businesses to showcase unique ideas and innovations in the wider health and care sector.
Commenting on the launch of Blue Table, John Moore from the Bupa Customer Lab said: “One of Bupa’s key priorities is continuous improvement and innovation to meet customers’ needs in this digital age. Blue Table is a great opportunity for us to work and share our expertise with innovative startups and small businesses to get a new perspective on our own business and enhance the services we provide to millions of customers all over the world.”
He continued: “We know there are many opportunities for innovation in the healthcare sector and we’re excited to see what startups and small businesses can bring to the table, delivering real benefits for customers and helping us to fulfil our purpose of helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives.”
L Marks works with some of the UK’s best known brands, including John Lewis, International Airlines Group and EDF Energy. Chairman Stuart Marks said: “Bupa is one of the leading healthcare and insurance providers in the market, which makes Blue Table a unique opportunity for talented startups looking to fast-track their business by revitalising the healthcare sector and help improve Bupa’s customer experience. I am excited that L Marks are on board to discover and get involved with the development of these new and relevant innovations.”
Applications are now open and close on until Thursday 15 June 2017. For more info, check out the video below. To apply, please visit www.bupabluetable.com.
