The network plans to also launch the programme in New York, Chicago, Sydney, Moscow and Dusseldorf in the first half of this year, with an eye to a further six markets by the year’s end.
The NextTechNow team has already met with 400 start-ups in the UK alone and recruited more than 100 start-ups into the programme.
Initially launched by Starcom in 2015, the programme claimed last year to have helped start-ups generate £250,000 in revenues.
Over the past year, NextTechNow has worked on 50 client projects with two-thirds of clients as repeat users.
"Through the NextTechNow initiative we have been introduced to some of the most innovative thinking and the latest start-up technology out there," said Sara Wolfe, digital brand manager of food-flavouring giant McCormick. "We have been impressed with the quality of the start-ups we have met and we have activated several campaigns with them as a result – becoming an important part of our marketing communications strategy."
Wolfe added that they would continue their work with NextTechNow partners into 2017 for McCormick’s brand relaunch campaign.
Overall, the number of NextTechNow projects in 2016 were triple the number of the previous year.
"Our approach resonates because business transformation is no longer just about being digitally ready but ensuring that brands are testing the latest thinking and technology in real time, especially where customers are forming new brand relationships," said Jim Kite, NextTechNow's global lead.
NextTechNow will be part of Publicis Groupe’s later this year.
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