Backbenchers Competitors

Bill Gross started Idealab in 1996 to create and operate pioneering technology companies. The structure of Idealab has allowed us to test many ideas at once and turn the best of them into companies, attracting the human and financial capital necessary to bring them to market. Many of these companies were among the first to introduce new business ideas to the market. CitySearch, now a part of IAC, established the category of local online community directories. eToys demonstrated the tremendous potential for online consumer retail and became one of the most recognized brands during the early days of e-commerce. Overture Services, which began life as GoTo.com, was the first company to introduce the concept of paid search — the business model that powers the multibillion-dollar online search market. Idealab continues to explore a range of technology frontiers. New models for improving the search experience are at the core of several companies currently growing inside of Idealab. Moving beyond the Internet, we have spawned companies with breakthrough technologies in robotics, renewable energy and automotive design and production among others. Idealab also continues to partner with leading venture capital firms and other strategic investors to provide the resources to maximize the potential of these companies. In addition to capital, Idealab provides a full range of resources to infuse start-ups with the support they need to rapidly introduce innovative products and services. Resources include office space and the accompanying office services, development and technology, product and graphic design, marketing, financial advice, human resources, competitive research, legal, accounting and business development support and services. In addition, Idealab provides advice on strategy, branding and corporate structure.

VOICEBOX: Your Intelligent Voice to a Connected World Voicebox is an acknowledged leader in Conversational AI, including Voice Recognition (VR), Natural Language Understanding (NLU), and AI services. In addition to our patented Conversational Voice Technology, we pioneered the Connected Device trend with our strengths in embedded, server, and hybrid operation, earning a spot on IEEE’s list of World’s Most Impactful technology. The Voicebox team comes from over 25 countries and possesses unequaled breadth and expertise. From our 2001 founding in Bellevue, WA, we have grown to include offices in Europe and Asia. For more information visit www.voicebox.com.

Debate Mate is a global social business that teaches key skills from the classroom to the boardroom. Our mission is to equip everyone, everywhere with the confidence to succeed in whatever they wish to do. To achieve this, we have built a sustainable model that sees profits from our commercial and international work power growth in our charitable programmes. __ The Debate Mate Group comprises two complementary parts: Debate Mate Schools: a non-profit established in 2008 to create social mobility in some of the world’s poorest neighbourhoods. Our programmes are taught by university students, many of whom were themselves Debate Mate students while at school. Since starting in just 30 secondary schools in London, we now work in 300 internationally, and have reached over 50,000 young people in over 40 countries. Notable partners include: Bill Gates, Usain Bolt, David Beckham, David Cameron & Theresa May. Debate Mate Training: we provide world-class communication and leadership training, executive coaching, engagement events and consultancy for the business world. Our unique methodology is based on competitive debating, and our programmes are delivered by young, dynamic and fearless mentors. We have worked with over 5,000 professionals from blue-chip companies across the world, increasing the capacity of individuals and teams and, ultimately, adding to our clients' bottom line. Notable clients include: McKinsey & Co, Deloitte, Tesco, Standard Chartered (NYC), Slaughter and May & Premier League.