Micro-location technology startup Localz has won JLAB, John Lewis first ever technology business incubator.

The Localz team spent 12 weeks shaping its solution within the JLAB scheme, and as the winning entry secures a £100,000 investment and an opportunity to trial its beacon solution at John Lewis retail locations.

The initial entry period for JLAB, which was aimed at developing tech solutions for the future of retail, saw hundreds of startups apply for places. Localz was among five finalists selected in May who developed their ideas with mentors from John Lewis and seasoned entrepreneurs.

Localzs technology enables users to take advantage of enhanced services using the smartphone based on their precise location, and aims to make shopping easier for customers by, for example, triggering Click & Collect orders upon their entry into the store, or helping them navigate stores based upon online wish lists.

“The quality of entries was exceptionally high and picking a winner proved to be a very difficult process,” said Stuart Marks, a partner in JLAB. “I am sure all the companies will go on to become very successful but there has to be a winner and in this case we felt that Localz has the potential to become a long term partner to John Lewis and to provide continuous innovation for their customers. We were fortunate to have an exception mentoring team who allowed all the companies to achieve their true potential during the time that were at JLAB.”

“JLABhas been an amazing experience for Localz from start to finish,” said Tim Andrew, commercial director and co-founder of Localz. “The fact that my father was a Partner with John Lewis for over 30 years gave me a very personal reason to want to be a part of it, in order to try and help the company that supported me and my family when I was growing up.”