NEC X showcases Elev X! Ignite Batch 12 cohort

NEC X, the Silicon Valley-based venture studio powered by NEC’s advanced tech, has unveiled the seven promising startups selected for its Elev X! Ignite Batch 12 cohort. Since 2018, NEC X has played a key role in launching over 130 tech startups, transforming innovative concepts into scalable ventures.

Chosen from 300 applicants, the latest cohort spans sectors including climate and agriculture, software, IoT connectivity, and recruitment. Elev X! Ignite reshapes the traditional venture studio model, offering entrepreneurs a unique blend of funding, collaboration, engineering expertise, R&D resources, and comprehensive support, enabling them to accelerate through ideation and prototyping stages.

Since its inception, Elev X! programmes have seen rapid growth, with a 23% increase in applications since Batch 11 in Q2 2024, reflecting both the rising interest and the quality of breakthrough ideas being submitted.

“Our continued growth and quality of applicants underscores the unique opportunities we create, turning groundbreaking concepts into viable solutions through an unparalleled collaborative experience,” said Shintaro Matsumoto, President and CEO of NEC X. “Our selected startups exemplify forward-thinking innovation with the power to address critical challenges making a measurable difference in both their sectors and the world around them.”

The startups of Elev X! Ignite Batch 12 include:

  • AppShip – Automates enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation and knowledge maintenance by layering AI over ERP and CRM systems like SAP or Salesforce
  • CEQAbase – Environmental impact reporting software delivers significant processing gains in project investigation, analysis and document preparation to meet regulatory requirements
  • CodeIntegrity – Automates software quality assurance, reduces technical debt and boosts productivity, allowing engineers to focus more on innovation
  • DASflect – Enhances wireless network performance using easy-to-install reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, enabling faster, more reliable connections at lower costs and complexity
  • LandWise Analytica – Promotes sustainable agriculture through data-driven AI algorithms, advanced land sustainability maps and tailored land use recommendations
  • Pairenthesis – First-of-its-kind AI-native data insights platform empowers businesses to achieve data excellence and accelerate decision-making – without writing any code – simplifying data import, cleaning and visualisation to effortlessly unlock actionable insights
  • PolarisJobs – Revolutionises sales team recruitment with AI-powered screening and interviewing, reducing hiring time by up to 70% and enabling HR teams to focus on top candidates

Elev X! members benefit from NEC X’s vibrant ecosystem of unique resources and services tailored to transform and launch early-stage companies. This encompasses funding opportunities, tailored mentorship, access to leading technologies, exclusive workshops, skills training, strategic partnerships and more.

This powerful combination of support, tools and resources empowers startups to create a strong Minimum Viable Product (MVP), validate their Proof-of-Concept (POC), attract paying customers, secure seed funding and, ultimately, succeed in today’s competitive market.

For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.