At the heart of Disney’s continuous innovation and storytelling lies the Disney Accelerator program, which this year proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary. Imagineers and tech innovators have come together since the program’s inception, producing groundbreaking projects that push the boundaries of what Disney can offer. It all started in 2014 when Bob Iger held up his phone, showing a secret image of the BB-8 droid from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” entrusting its creation to the small but mighty team at Sphero.
Disney Accelerator was brought to life to integrate external innovation into The Walt Disney Company. This initiative, created by David Min, Disney’s VP of Corporate Innovation, provides emerging companies the unique opportunity to collaborate closely with Disney executives and explore how their technologies can enhance Disney’s storytelling. Over the past decade, more than 60 companies, specializing in fields like robotics, AR, VR, and educational tech, have worked with Disney to bring fresh, imaginative experiences to life.
One of the standout collaborations includes Epic Games, who joined the program in 2017. This partnership flourished, helping Disney leverage the Unreal Engine for various applications, from the visual marvel of “Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run” in Disney’s theme parks to ESPN’s state-of-the-art Catalyst Stage. Likewise, educational tech company Kahoot! has seen massive growth since their participation, now boasting over 1.6 billion users and incorporating beloved Disney characters into their interactive learning modules.
Bonnie Rosen, General Manager of Disney Accelerator, highlights the program’s success in combining Disney’s storytelling prowess with cutting-edge technology. She notes the importance of the Accelerator in identifying high-potential tech companies ready to scale and create magical experiences for Disney fans. The collaborative efforts not only bolster the participant companies but also keep Disney at the forefront of entertainment and technology.
Looking forward, the future of Disney Accelerator holds the promise of global expansion and exploration into new verticals. The mutual benefits are clear—while brands gain invaluable exposure and resources, Disney taps into a wellspring of innovation and creativity, ensuring their storytelling remains both timeless and forward-thinking.
As Disney Accelerator reaches this milestone, we are eager to hear your thoughts! Share your favorite innovations from the program in the comments and tell us how you see technology changing the magic of Disney in the future. Spread the magic and share this story with fellow Disney enthusiasts!
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