Press Room
Prosegur seeks start-ups to create COVID-19 free spaces
The challenge is posed with a three-pronged approach to provide a comprehensive response to the problem posed. People flow control, access control and identity validation systems, and health monitoring systems.
Madrid, 27 April 2020 – In the coming weeks, millions of citizens will be ending their quarantine periods and gradually returning to work. This return to the “new normal” must be done under strict security measures to avoid the appearance of new sources of infection. Today, for both governments and companies, creating COVID-19-free safe spaces, is a priority.
In this context, Prosegur has extended a challenge to start-ups, regardless of where they come from, to find security solutions to create COVID-19-free and therefore safe workspaces. The objective of the challenge is to design effective solutions that can be combined with each other and enable a comprehensive proposal for the end client to be forged.
The challenge focuses on three priority areas. The first is people flow control in the workspace. This covers aspects such as new capacity limits, detection of personal protective elements (masks, gloves, etc.), queue control (number, space between users, time frame, etc.) or hot spot detection.
The second is access control and identity validation systems that allow for automatic and contactless access control for workers and visitors. All with the maximum security guarantees and preventing any kind of fraud.
The third is health monitoring systems through Command & Control platforms. To this end, the incorporation of communication platforms that provide tools for self-assessment and communication with doctors and emergency services, if necessary, is considered. As well as the deployment of health monitoring devices that allow remote monitoring of vital signs.
This initiative is part of the open innovation program launched by Prosegur at the beginning of this year. Come In, as it has been called, is the first open innovation project promoted by one of the large private security multinationals.
In addition to the challenge concerning COVID-19, the programme poses five other challenges in which to collaborate with the start-ups:
In Cybersecurity: how to reinforce security and trust in the IoT network and its devices.
In Security: how to guarantee security in crowded spaces or events with non-invasive methods.
In Cash: how to improve the efficiency of cash management.
In Alarms: how to simplify the purchase and management of products or services without human interaction.
In the corporate sphere: how to protect the citizen’s personal data and information sources in both the public and private sphere.
For Javier Cabrerizo, COO of Prosegur, “the transformation of the sector is an inexcusable reality and to meet the challenges of the future we need to combine talent and creativity with innovation. That is why we are looking for entrepreneurs who have developed innovative solutions that can make a difference in the sector and contribute, together with one of the world leaders in the sector, to improving security in any of its areas”.
“In the face of the new challenges we face as a company and as a society, innovation is more important than ever. That is why we are looking for the best entrepreneurial and technological talent that, together with the ability of a world leader like Prosegur, allows us to continue developing innovative solutions to ensure security in all areas”.
The request for proposals is open until 4 May, has been launched nationally and internationally. The selection and evaluation process will choose 45 initial start-ups and will have two Selection Committees. Subsequently, the 15 finalist projects will present their pilot proposals. After this process, the five winners will sign a four-month contract to work on improving their product, in collaboration with Prosegur business units and their customers.
The selected projects will have the opportunity to test their potential and even market themselves on a global scale. In this regard, Daniel García, Director of Innovation at Prosegur, says that “innovative proposals that provide new solutions to ensure spaces COVID Free, will have the opportunity to rely on the business units of the company and achieve international visibility. They will have the support and commitment of an ambassador like Prosegur, which, with access to a potential market of 25 countries, can help them generate business, thus establishing a mutually beneficial and lasting relationship over time”.