We’ve launched Platform X – our joint venture with Virgin StartUp to find the next generation of start-up firms to transform rail travel. On 21 June we hosted our pitch day to find eight start-ups that can help Virgin Trains tackle one of four challenges:

-       Ensuring customers have a great end-to-end journey to and from their final destination when travelling by train: Enterprise Bot and AirPortr

-       Helping Virgin Trains understand more about our customers and their preferences: Living Lens and Peak

-       Innovative ways to tackle operational challenges during disruption: Wyld Research and Warwick Analytics

-       Applying ideas that are already transforming the customer experience to the rail industry: RotaGeek and Q-Shy

The successful applicants listed will benefit from access to funding through our Innovation Fund, as well as mentoring from senior management at Virgin Trains. The programme will begin on 3 July and was launched by Sir Richard Branson and Nicola McGuiness-Brown, Head of Innovation, at King’s Cross station.