Applications Now Open for Hybrid Event Inviting Participants to Develop New Solutions to Enhance Collaboration and User Experiences for Epson Products

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – March 22, 2023 – Epson today announced it will be hosting its first U.S.-based “Epson Innovation Challenge,” a one-week hybrid “hackathon” series. Held in San Francisco, San Jose and remotely from April 13-20, the event will challenge innovators to develop solutions based on current or new customer needs for Epson printer and scanner products that enhance communication, collaboration and the user experience. Applications are open now through March 30.

“Epson is looking for creative innovators that want to test their skills to develop new solutions and user experiences that will foster communication and collaboration,” said Jack Rieger, director, Digital Innovation, Epson America, Inc. “We are particularly excited about leveraging this event to help enhance accessibility features to support people in our communities.”

The challenge awards include first, second and third place cash and Epson product prizes. Developers will leverage the Epson Connect™ API to create ideas that achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

  • Simplify and enhance information sharing and collaboration
  • Improve usability and functionality of Epson print/scan products
  • Promote opportunities for people to enjoy content displayed on the printed page

“At Epson, our vision includes using our technologies and products to work with innovative partners to solve societal challenges by improving accessibility and co-creation, collaboration and investment. Since 2019, Epson has been actively engaging with the startup community through “HackTrek” hackathons in Japan and global strategic programs to uncover emerging technologies, trends and cutting-edge technology startups,” said Junkichi Yoshida, COO, Epson Printing Solutions. “We’re very excited to launch the ‘Epson Innovation Challenge’ as part of our Open Innovation Program efforts and welcome innovators, developers and startups to join this unique opportunity.”

As part of the challenge, participants will develop a working MVP (minimum viable product) concept leveraging an Epson printer or scanner and the Epson Connect API, which allows developer applications to control print and scan functions through Epson Connect, Epson’s cloud service. Dedicated innovation coaches and Epson mentors will be available, along with a technical resources guide. Participants will pitch their concept and showcase the MVP in front of a judging panel, consisting of Epson’s top management and innovation team.

Epson is working with San Francisco-based Foundry 415 Innovation Group, an experienced operator for startup accelerator and corporate innovation programs, to host the event. “We’ve been working with Epson for over three years now and are very excited for this next stage of Epson’s open innovation activities,” said Christian Litsch, head of corporate innovation services, Foundry 415. “We’ve planned an exciting week, packed with insightful workshops, great mentors and welcoming teams to work from our San Francisco campus, the Epson Silicon Valley office, or remotely.”

For additional information, visit the Epson Innovation Challenge website.

About Foundry 415 Innovation Group
Foundry 415 is a Silicon Valley – San Francisco based innovation company accelerating the success of global corporate innovators and technology entrepreneurs. Our team has worked with 40+ global corporations to drive innovation results by uncovering new trends and opportunities, scouting cutting-edge startups for strategic partnership, investment or acquisition, and successfully piloting new business concepts. Alongside its consulting practice, Foundry 415 powers the growth of startups through impactful acceleration and landing-pad programs and offers custom executive education programs with a focus on innovation. Learn more at https://www.foundry415.com/.

About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

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EPSON is a registered trademark, Epson Connect is a trademark and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2023 Epson America, Inc.

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