Since the official announcement of the Sixers Innovation Lab Crafted by Kimball in April, we have received an overwhelming response from start-ups interested in participating in this personalized program and securing a spot to work in the Innovation Lab. Currently over 60 applications have been received to date and the lab isn’t officially scheduled to be up and running until March. We are thrilled with the level of interest and overwhelming response we have received!
“Kimball Office will be implementing a state-of-the-art, smart workplace inside the Innovation Lab. The speed and adaptability of a startup business requires a shift in paradigm of how a smart workspace should serve the needs of the people who occupy the space. The selected companies will have a chance to experience the emerging, smart workplace of the future,” stated Mike Wagner, President of Kimball Office.
Our association with these world class partners, and being a founding member of the Lab, Kimball Office will use this space as a sandbox to gather data and gain insight into an ultimate workplace environment. Our exclusive furniture partnership with ShareDesk, a global leader in agile workplace technology and on-demand workspaces, is a critical element in this smart workplace strategy. The Innovation lab will be a proving ground to help build out a smart eco-system that truly optimizes effectiveness in today’s high energy workplace.
The Sixers Innovation Lab Crafted by Kimball will house the newest products from Kimball Office that incorporate leading edge technology to merge design, craft and technology into functional solutions. The lab is focused on rapidly growing, early-stage companies and will provide speed and flexibility, individualized, industry-leading consulting and the opportunity for direct investment to participants. In addition to receiving office space in the Innovation Lab, selected companies have access to industry experts, executives and financiers; third-party branding, marketing and legal services; free meals and housing in the Philadelphia-area; and the opportunity to pitch industry-leading investors and venture capital firms. Some of the Innovation Lab Advisors include The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, StubHub, DraftKings, Rothman Institute, First Round Capital, Maven Creative and more.
The Sixers have recently hired former AND1 CEO and renowned sports industry entrepreneur Seth Berger as the Managing Director of the Innovation Lab. Seth will manage the Sixers Innovation Lab Crafted by Kimball, overseeing recruitment, assessment, development and investment in participating start-ups. “Seth brings an unmatched entrepreneurial perspective, passion and seasoned business acumen to our organization,” said Philadelphia 76ers CEO Scott O’Neil. In addition, the first participant of the Innovation Lab has been named. Founded in 2015 by San Francisco native Dylan Elder, Monster Roster is a dailyfantasy sports lineup recommender that combines a unique process and powerful algorithm to help fantasy sports users build superior lineups with proven results.
ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS:
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the most storied franchises in the National Basketball Association, having won three World Championships, earning nine trips to The Finals and making 47 playoff appearances over 67 seasons. The team is owned by an investor group led by Managing General Partner Josh Harris.
ABOUT KIMBALL OFFICE:
Kimball Office, one of America’s most respected environmentally-conscious contract office furniture manufacturers, blends state of the art technology with a rich heritage of craft, to better optimize workplace performance, enabling customers to craft a truly authentic brand experience. Kimball Office is a brand unit of Kimball International, Inc. (NASDAQ:KBAL), based in Jasper, Indiana and recognized with the Great Place to Work® designation. To explore the collection of products and find out what’s next, visit KimballOffice.com.