Tobacco producer Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has partnered accelerator operator Plug and Play to launch an accelerator dedicated to vaping technology developers.
The Silicon Valley-based Vapetech initiative will select 20 startups each year that are looking to improve the health benefits of vaping and the experience of the practice through new vaping devices and internet-of-things, biometric data and lifestyle technologies.
The three-month scheme will provide each participant with access to investment and corporate partnerships to help advance their products and technologies.
Daniel Torras, JTI’s senior vice-president of reduced-risk products, said: “With the rapid rise of vaping products, the dynamics of innovation in our industry have changed drastically.
“In addition to our own research and development, Vapetech will allow us to explore and develop consumer relevant features for the next generation of products and services.
“It will also extend our network to new sets of entrepreneurs offering disruptive ideas to empower a future of choice in the vaping sector.”