Wayra UK

Wayra UK is the corporate venture arm and accelerator of Wayra, the global open-innovation program of Telefónica. It runs accelerator programs for early-stage technology startups across industries including health care, information technology, cybersecurity, smart transport and smart city, and 5G, providing investment and acceleration support. The unit connects startups with Telefónica’s networks and partners to enable collaboration and scale opportunities, aiming to generate joint business opportunities between innovators and Telefónica. As part of a worldwide network spanning multiple countries, Wayra UK positions itself as a bridge between entrepreneurs and corporate-scale opportunity, facilitating access to capital, mentorship, and business development.

Marta Antunez

Investment Director Wayra Spain

Paloma Castellano Sanz

Director - Wayra Madrid

Bruno Moraes

Managing Director

Agustin Rotondo

Managing Director

Gary Stewart

Director

Kyle Tsai

Investor

Past deals in Smart Cities

Unmanned Life

Venture Round in 2021
Unmanned Life provides a software platform that orchestrates autonomous robotics, enabling autonomy-as-a-service powered by AI and 5G. The modular, interoperable platform integrates AI, edge computing, and 5G with drones and autonomous mobile robots, supporting scalable deployments across industries such as Industry 4.0 and Smart Cities. It enables autonomous operations for tasks including surveillance, emergency response, inspections, and hybrid manufacturing in large organizations, with cross-vendor compatibility and adaptable network requirements to manage diverse robotic fleets.

Gabriel

Series A in 2021
Gabriel Tecnologia Ltda, established in 2019 and based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, specializes in providing video surveillance services by integrating high-definition cameras with nano computers. The company focuses on delivering military-grade encryption and enterprise-quality service, ensuring a secure experience for residential buildings and medium-sized businesses. Gabriel offers a unique model that eliminates installation costs, hardware purchases, and maintenance hassles, while providing 24/7 monitoring of properties and neighborhoods. Their technology incorporates machine learning algorithms to recognize suspicious patterns, enhancing safety and security. Additionally, the firm provides an accessible application for users, alongside perpetual video cloud storage, making it a comprehensive solution for public and private security needs in Brazil and beyond.

Solum

Seed Round in 2021
Solum PV is a technology firm that specializes in green energy generation and management solutions for Smart Cities. The company provides The Solum Serie Zero. The SSZ is a 100% walkable solar pavement that can be installed in any city-free space and provides clean energy with the same efficiency as a photovoltaic module.

HOPU Smart Cities

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
HOPU Smart Cities focuses on creating human-centered urban innovations that leverage advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and data analytics. The company aims to enhance user experiences and facilitate informed decision-making in urban planning and development. HOPU engages both citizens and decision-makers to ensure that data is accessible and actionable, promoting sustainability and addressing critical issues like air quality and environmental impact. Their flagship solution, Smart Spot, provides an integrated approach for developing sustainable and scalable smart cities. This solution includes digital services with dashboards and decision support tools, as well as in-situ environmental monitors that track various pollutants and environmental conditions. By delivering reliable data on air quality, noise levels, and other factors, HOPU empowers urban planners and technicians to make informed decisions that prioritize human-centric and environmentally sustainable practices.

Flash Park

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Flash Park develops an AI-driven platform that monitors real-time availability of on-street parking spaces using IoT devices powered by solar panels and equipped with 5G connectivity. Its machine learning algorithms predict available spaces, helping drivers save time and reduce fuel consumption.

Omniflow

Seed Round in 2021
Omniflow specializes in sustainable smart infrastructure. Its flagship product is a Smart IoT Lamppost powered by wind and solar, transforming regular street lights into eco-friendly hubs that support multiple applications like 5G Small Cells, Edge Computing, Computer Vision, and high-quality data services.

HOPU Smart Cities

Seed Round in 2020
HOPU Smart Cities focuses on creating human-centered urban innovations that leverage advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and data analytics. The company aims to enhance user experiences and facilitate informed decision-making in urban planning and development. HOPU engages both citizens and decision-makers to ensure that data is accessible and actionable, promoting sustainability and addressing critical issues like air quality and environmental impact. Their flagship solution, Smart Spot, provides an integrated approach for developing sustainable and scalable smart cities. This solution includes digital services with dashboards and decision support tools, as well as in-situ environmental monitors that track various pollutants and environmental conditions. By delivering reliable data on air quality, noise levels, and other factors, HOPU empowers urban planners and technicians to make informed decisions that prioritize human-centric and environmentally sustainable practices.

Galgus

Series A in 2020
Galgus is a company specializing in intelligent WiFi technology that enhances network performance and delivers advanced geolocation analytics. Recognized by Gartner, it holds seven international patents and operates offices in Spain, the United States, Colombia, and Peru. Galgus has established itself as a leader in onboard WiFi technology for aircraft and trains, with over 5,000 devices installed globally. Its Smart WiFi solutions are also deployed in diverse environments, including football stadiums, schools, shopping centers, and hotels, ensuring optimal user experiences. The company's hardware-agnostic technology optimizes spectral efficiencies for various WiFi devices, improving performance while minimizing interference and power consumption. Galgus serves notable clients such as Telefónica, Boeing, and Hoteles Barceló, among others.

HYBRICO Energy Technologies

Series A in 2019
HYBRICO Energy Technologies specializes in providing energy-as-a-service solutions tailored for the telecom industry, particularly in emerging markets. The company addresses key challenges such as high energy costs, site availability, and environmental impact by offering a comprehensive hybrid power solution for both off-grid and poorly served grid sites. Utilizing advanced hybrid technology and proprietary cloud-based monitoring and control software, HYBRICO ensures a guaranteed energy uptime of 99.95%. Their services encompass all energy-related needs—including infrastructure, fueling, utility billing, and maintenance—delivered through long-term fixed-price contracts that facilitate improved management of operating expenses. With a focus on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing connectivity, HYBRICO aims to offer the lowest levelized cost of energy in the market, promoting a sustainable and efficient approach to energy consumption in telecommunications. The company is led by experts with extensive experience in designing high-reliability infrastructures and providing operations and maintenance services across numerous telecom sites.

MotionTag

Series A in 2019
MotionTag develops smartphone-based mobility analytics and pay-as-you-go ticketing solutions for urban and intercity transport. The company uses machine learning on smartphone sensor data to infer when, where, how and why people travel, providing insights that help mobility providers optimize services and create new mobility experiences. Its platform supports automatic payments and integrates with travel apps under a business-to-business model, enabling operators to monetize large user bases. Founded in 2015 and based in Berlin, MotionTag focuses on turning mobile data into actionable intelligence for urban mobility.

ChargedUp

Seed Round in 2019
ChargedUp is a phone charging network for bike sharing. Its solution employs an app that allows users to locate nearby stations, unlock a sharable power bank, and then return it to any station in the network while only paying for the time used. The network also allows renting a power bank by tapping a card or phone on the built-in reader or by using the ChargedUp app. ChargedUp was launched in 2017 and is headquartered in London, England.

Valerann

Seed Round in 2018
Valerann is a technology company that develops intelligent traffic management solutions for road networks. It converts data from road infrastructure and ITS assets into actionable insights to improve safety, reduce congestion, lower emissions, and support connected and autonomous vehicles. The AI-powered platform gathers data from wireless road sensors and provides real-time analytics and control tools that correlate vehicle movements with road lanes, enabling operators to detect risks, optimize intersections, and automate traffic control centers. Founded in 2014 and based in Tel Aviv with a London office, Valerann aims to transform streets into data-driven infrastructure that delivers faster responses, smoother traffic, and lower operating costs.

Climo

Seed Round in 2018
Climo specializes in climate control services, offering smart air conditioning solutions for residential and commercial clients. Their comprehensive service includes technical advice, process monitoring, energy consumption reports, and comparative efficiency statistics to optimize electricity costs and maintain efficient cooling.

Sensing Feeling

Pre Seed Round in 2018
Founded in London in 2013, Sensing Feeling develops IoT-based products that use computer vision and machine learning to measure human behavior in real-time. Their solutions enhance safety, improve customer experiences, and help businesses manage risks effectively.

Inipop

Seed Round in 2016
Inipop is a technological hub based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, focused on the development of Internet of Things (IoT) products and solutions across Latin America. Founded in 2013, the company specializes in creating integrated software and hardware solutions that leverage artificial intelligence and big data to enhance operational efficiency for businesses and assist governments in establishing smart cities. Inipop's offerings include monitoring, controlling, optimizing, and automating processes through real-time data generation via interconnected sensors and devices. The company serves various vertical markets, including retail, smart cities, industrial sectors, and agriculture, with design operations in Argentina and manufacturing capabilities in China, the United States, and Mexico. Notably, Inipop has also developed the first self-driving car in Latin America, underscoring its commitment to innovation in hard tech.

TuRuta

Venture Round in 2016
TuRuta is a mobile application designed to assist public transport users in Lima and Callao in finding optimal travel routes. The app provides detailed directions, indicating which modes of transport to take and the specific stops to use, ultimately helping users navigate the complexities of the region's public transportation system. With a built-in global positioning system, TuRuta enhances user experience by offering real-time geographical navigation, making it easier for residents and visitors to reach their destinations efficiently. By streamlining the public transport experience, TuRuta aims to improve the overall quality of life in these urban areas.

Parkpocket

Seed Round in 2015
Parkpocket is a data-driven platform that improves transparency in the parking market by delivering real-time information on available parking spaces, pricing, opening hours, and electric vehicle charging locations. Its solution guides drivers to vacancies and can be integrated into various digital devices, services, and connected car systems. The platform includes an online parking spot finder and a mobile app that helps users locate parking in any area, with details on charges, hours, and charging stations, and provides navigation to the correct location. Parkpocket serves customers across automotive, navigation, ICT, and travel sectors.

Parkpocket

Convertible Note in 2014
Parkpocket is a data-driven platform that improves transparency in the parking market by delivering real-time information on available parking spaces, pricing, opening hours, and electric vehicle charging locations. Its solution guides drivers to vacancies and can be integrated into various digital devices, services, and connected car systems. The platform includes an online parking spot finder and a mobile app that helps users locate parking in any area, with details on charges, hours, and charging stations, and provides navigation to the correct location. Parkpocket serves customers across automotive, navigation, ICT, and travel sectors.

AVUXI

Convertible Note in 2014
AVUXI provides location context and geospatial data services for travel, real estate, and retail. The company measures, visualizes, and analyzes popular areas and places in cities, offering information on shops, sights, restaurants, and leisure venues. It enables programmatic organization of hotels and rentals by location and delivers insights on transport links and other points of interest. Its technology tracks, cleans, and analyzes socially relevant geospatial data to help metasearch sites increase conversions, raise average booking value, and improve visitor retention while reducing operating costs. The solution supports quick, well-informed decisions about the best location for stays or visits. Founded in 2012 and based in London, AVUXI focuses on delivering location context to online businesses and travelers.

WikiMapa

Grant in 2012
WikiMapa is a collaborative mapping initiative based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, focused on improving urban areas with limited resources. The platform enables residents to document unregistered streets and local points of interest, such as hospitals, churches, and stores, by uploading photos and videos taken on their mobile devices. By fostering community participation, WikiMapa seeks to create new geographical awareness and encourage content production among local residents, ultimately aiming to address social inequalities in underserved neighborhoods.

WikiMapa

Convertible Note in 2012
WikiMapa is a collaborative mapping initiative based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, focused on improving urban areas with limited resources. The platform enables residents to document unregistered streets and local points of interest, such as hospitals, churches, and stores, by uploading photos and videos taken on their mobile devices. By fostering community participation, WikiMapa seeks to create new geographical awareness and encourage content production among local residents, ultimately aiming to address social inequalities in underserved neighborhoods.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.