Telefonica : Wayra Selects Youngest Ever Entrepreneur

Telefónica-Think Big, London 26 June, 2014:  During the latest call for Wayra start-ups across the United Kingdom, one entrepreneur stood-out above the rest; Hannah Catmur and her app 'Pocket Explorers'.  Aimed at children, it combines digital with the natural world to encourage kids to be more active outdoors and was selected out of 250 world class submissions.  At 23, she is the youngest person to enter the academy in London and in less than 2 years has developed her education app into a fledging business.  Now she has set her sights on a release to market. 

The project stands out as a leading  example of the successful strategy Telefónica has implemented  to support young entrepreneurs from ideation to the delivery of a digital product or service, through it's Think Big and Wayra programmes.

Prior to her official Wayra selection, Hannah had activiely demonstrated entrepreneurial qualities and a start-up mentality that caught the attention of many Telefónica executives. During Campus Party 2013, he encouraged her to apply to the Wayra UnLtd Acceleration Programme and from last September, she and the rest of the Pocket Explorers team were readying themselves for the application process.

During this time, Hannah was also identified by Ronan Dunne (CEO Telefónica UK/O2) as an exemplar of those using digital innovation to overcome challenges, create significant change and help drive the digital economy forward.  He said of the app's selection by Wayra UnLtd:

'Hannah is a shining example of how Telefónica is supporting the entrepreneurial life-cycle through initiatives like Think Big and Wayra. To see an idea develop and build momentum in under a year is hugely satisfying and demonstrates what can be achieved by investing in digital and our young people.' Ronan explained.

From more than 250 applications, Pocket Explorers was one of only a handful selected to pitch at the newly opened Think Big Hub in Shoreditch. Seven external judges, including Natalie Campbell (UnLtd), Annika Small (Nominet Trust) and a room full of influencers from London's start-up community watched as Gary Stewart ( WAYRA UK and WAYRA UnLtd Director) announced the winners.

'I know it's a cliché but I never would have imagined that in under two years of writing this idea down on a piece of paper, I'd be offered tens of thousands to incubate my business with a view to launching a great product to market!' Hannah said shortly after receiving her funding.

Gonzalo Martín-Villa, CEO Wayra, shared his excitement on Hannah's future and the potential for her business.

'From Think Big and Wayra's perspective, this is the best example of how Telefónica is supporting young entrepreneurs, from the start, giving them the tools, training and mentoring that they need to succeed.  What I see in Hannah is an ambition to go on and deliver something exceptional and Telefónica will be there at every stage.'

Hannah and the rest of her team have now  started their new adventure at the Wayra UnLtd Academy and will remain there for eight months utilising the resources and networking opportunities on offer.

With Hannah achieving success in such a short period, Telefónica - led by Think Big - will now be tracking her entrepreneurial journey. Hannah herself will upload video updates of her eight month journey through the Wayra UnLtd Academy and beyond. It's hoped that her experiences will inspire other young people to become entrepreneurs and take their digital ideas forward.

Pocket Explorers is now live at http://www.pocketexplorers.com

Hannah Catmur's video journey: http://goo.gl/nsCYcz

-ENDS-

About Think Big

Our vision is to equip young people with the skills and confidence to thrive in our digital world, so opening a door to a better future for them and for everyone. It's about starting small and thinking big!  Think Big operates in three European countries. 120 youth partners across the continent help us give young people the training, support and skills they need to turn their ideas into actions. With heavy involvement from the Telefonica Foundation, we also mobilise Telefonica's workforce into creating positive change.

www.thinkbig.eu

About Wayra UnLtd

Wayra is a Telefónica initiative whose main aim is to promote innovation and identify talent in Latin America and Europe in the fields of Internet and new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Its global project acceleration model helps entrepreneurs develop, providing them with technological tools, qualified mentors, a cutting-edge work space and the financing required to accelerate their growth.  UnLtd is the leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs and offers the largest such network in the world. We resource over 1,000 individuals each year through our core Awards programmes which impact many tens of thousands. We operate a unique model by investing directly in the individual and provide a package of resources, from funding to ongoing advice, networking and practical support.  UnLtd delivered the Big Venture Challenge pilot programme, starting in October 2011. UnLtd is the trading name for The Foundation for social entrepreneurs, a company limited by guarantee. Company No. 4180639. Registered Charity No. 1090393.

www.wayra.org/unltd

About Telefonica

Telefónica is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in terms of market capitalisation and number of customers. With its best in class mobile, fixed and broadband networks, and innovative portfolio of digital solutions, Telefónica is transforming itself into a 'Digital Telco', a company that will be even better placed to meet the needs of its customers and capture new revenue growth.  The company has a significant presence in 24 countries and a customer base that amounts more than 313 million accesses around the world. Telefónica has a strong presence in Spain, Europe and Latin America, where the company focuses an important part of its growth strategy.  Telefónica is a 100% listed company, with more than 1.5 million direct shareholders. Its share capital currently comprises 4.551.024.586 ordinary shares traded on the Spanish Stock Market (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia) and on those in London, New York, Lima, and Buenos Aires.