Caltex Australia is launching Caltex Spark, a new innovation initiative that will see them work closely with Startups and entrepreneurs.
Spark, a 12-week accelerator program designed in partnership with Australia’s corporate accelerator, Slingshot, will enable Caltex Australia to disrupt its own business model and look for ideas to improve convenience, mobility, retail offers and efficiency.
Spark is an opportunity for Startups and entrepreneurs to work with Caltex Australia, a trusted iconic Australian brand.
Caltex Executive General Manager of Convenience Retail Richard Pearson said, “At Caltex our purpose is to make life easier for our millions of customers.”
“With Spark we’re looking for ideas that do just that – disrupt and challenge our existing model to take us in new directions and drive accelerated future growth.
“The convenience and fuel market is highly competitive and in today’s digitally connected and on-demand economy, we must work harder than ever to win customers.”
Through Spark, founders will have access to the scale and experience of Caltex resources, with the reach of over 1,900 retail and convenience locations and over 3 million customers a week as well as the opportunity to work closely with the Convenience Retail and Fuels and Infrastructure businesses within Caltex.
Caltex Executive General Manager of Fuels and Infrastructure Louise Warner said, “Caltex plays a unique role in providing transport fuels and other everyday needs for our broad range of customers across Australia and New Zealand.”
“We are interested in businesses that help us find new ways and connect with our consumer and business customers. We are looking at things like new modes of transport, food on the go and how we can create a frictionless customer experience,” she said.
CEO of Slingshot, Karen Lawson, said Caltex Spark is an opportunity for Caltex Australia to collaborate with the best and brightest Startups, who at the same time can benefit from Caltex’s unique understanding of consumers.
“With the rapid pace of innovation, the possibilities for retailers and fuel suppliers is endless. We’ve already begun to see the impact of ride sharing, autonomous vehicles, drones, easy payments, big data and logistics solutions, but we’ve only really begun to scratch the surface when we consider how these can be harnessed by a business-like Caltex.”