Caltex Australia has teamed up with ‘corporate accelerator’ Slingshot to launch Caltex Spark, an innovation program that will involve the transport and fuel company working with start-up firms and budding entrepreneurs to appraise ideas for improving its convenience, mobility, retail offers and efficiency.
“At Caltex, our purpose is to make life easier for our millions of customers,” Caltex Executive General Manager of Convenience Richard Pearson said. “With Spark, we’re looking for ideas to do just that – disrupt and challenge our existing model to take us in new directions and accelerate 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, Mr Pearson says, founders will have access to the scale and experience of Caltex resources, with a reach of more than 1,900 retail and convenience locations and three million-plus customers a week, as well as the chance to work closely with the convenience-retail and fuels and infrastructure businesses within Caltex.
He adds that participants in the 12-week accelerator program will also be able to access exclusive Spark-partner offers from the world’s biggest technology companies valued at more than $500,000, including AWS, Adobe, Microsoft BizSpark Plus, IBM, SalesForce, HubSpot, SendGrid, MYOB, Xero and more.
Caltex Executive General Manager of Fuels and Infrastructure Louise Warner said: “Historically, we’ve adapted to consumer needs from the development of cleaner, more efficient fuel options, unmanned fuel stops in remote locations, through to newer initiatives such as The Foodary and Fuel Pay.
“We’re interested in businesses that help us find new ways and connect with our consumer and business customers. We’re looking at things like new modes of transport, food on the go and how we can create a frictionless customer experience.”
