UCL startup selected to join sought-after accelerator programme

Founded by two UCL MSc Entrepreneurship graduates, Florence Ettlin and Talitha Abraham, KALAB's online tool, Anna, is a pocket concierge that helps short-term rental companies respond to tenant enquiries using artificial intelligence (AI).

Guests staying in short-term accommodation can use the AI-powered digital concierge to ask questions about the property and area, get recommendations and make complaints, all in their own language.

The London-based business was selected by Techstars, a US-based pre-seed investor that provides capital and mentorship to early-stage entrepreneurs, to join their highly sought-after 13-week San Francisco accelerator.

The accelerator programme will connect Florence and Talitha with mentors, customers, partners, and their fellow program participants in the thriving tech ecosystem of San Francisco.

As UCL alumni, the founders were part of the Hatchery incubator programme at BaseKX, UCL’s dedicated entrepreneurship hub in the King’s Cross Knowledge Quarter, managed by UCL Innovation & Enterprise.

Here they received free support, mentorship and equity free office space as well as masterclasses, clinics and competitions to fast-track their success and prepare them for investment.

Co-founder Florence Ettlin said: “Being on the Hatchery incubator programme gave us a focused space to thrash out our business ideas and develop our skills as founders. But most of all, we had access to this incredibly supportive community.

“The weekly meet-ups meant we could meet other inspiring young entrepreneurs but also help each other out with any challenges. So we felt much less on our own with things than we would’ve otherwise.”

Florence says it’s a huge win for KALAB and for her and Talitha as entrepreneurs to be selected for the San Francisco accelerator.

“It’s an honour to have been selected out of thousands of people to receive this focused business support from such inspirational mentors. We’re now excited to build on what we learnt at the Hatchery and be pushed and challenged and see how our business evolves from here.”

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement), extended his congratulations to KALAB and UCL’s entrepreneurial mentors and teaching teams who’ve supported them: “To be selected for such a prestigious accelerator underlines the quality of student and graduate startups being created here at UCL. We will now watch with anticipation to see where KALAB take their business next, with the expert support of Techstars.”

UCL’s thriving entrepreneurial community produces startups that attract millions of pounds of investment, creating jobs and spearheading innovation that boosts the UK economy. Over the last five years, more than 335 new student startups were created at UCL. Collectively they’ve raised over £327 million in external investment and currently employ over 2,000 people.

Links

• Techstars Announces Inaugural Class of San Francisco Accelerator
• UCL School of Management
• UCL entrepreneurship support for students
• Join the Hatchery startup incubator
• UCL Innovation & Enterprise

Image

• Florence Ettlin and Talitha Abraham – Credit: Balazs Zahorecz, UCL School of Management

Media contact

Sophie Hunter

Sophie.hunter [at] ucl.ac.uk