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Launch: our tech innovation programme 2026

Do you want to team up with us to work together on exciting tech solutions? If you’re a start-up or scale-up, we know you’re great at adapting and using technology in smart ways. Work with us and help us deliver outstanding service and build even better solutions for our customers.

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What is the Launch Innovation Programme?

Launch is our 12-week innovation programme designed to fast-track tech experimentation with potential partners. As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Scottish Widows gives you the chance to work with the UK's largest bank to gain insights from senior leaders and experts.

Reasons to join

  • Work with a passionate team to shape and plan tech experiments.
  • Test ideas and solve big strategic challenges together.
  • Turn the best concepts into real commercial testing.
  • Open the door to long-term partnership.

Who we're looking for

  • Ambitious companies, fintechs and individuals ready to tackle our business challenge.
  • If you think your solution could help, we’d love to hear from you, whatever your industry.
  • Don't miss this chance to innovate, learn together and make a real impact.

What makes a great application

  • Show how your idea fits our challenge - explain clearly how your solution tackles our 2026 brief.
  • Highlight what makes you stand out – share the unique benefits and innovations your solution brings to our customers.

2026 dates

  • Applications open: Friday 6 February 2026
  • Applications close: Friday 6 March 2026
  • Shortlist demos & Q&A: Week commencing 9 March 2026
  • Finalists announced: March 2026

The 2026 brief in more detail

We’re especially interested to hear from partners who are focused on one or more of these areas: 

  • AdTech & Marketing Tech
    Tools that boost visibility and bring more Scottish Widows members to our app and website.
  • Conversion Optimisation
    Solutions that make the transfer journey smooth and reduce drop-offs, so customers can complete the process easily.
  • Personalisation Engines
    Experiences tailored to individual needs, making pension consolidation feel relevant and simple.
  • Lifecycle Marketing
    Automated campaigns that turn initial interest into Scottish Widows app downloads or completed pension transfers with nudges and reminders at the right times.
  • Data Analytics & Targeting
    Smart insights to find customers most likely to benefit from consolidating pensions, enabling better outreach.
  • Education & Training
    Help customers with clear, jargon free guidance, interactive tools, and decision support so they can understand whether their workplace pensions can be transferred, what they might gain or lose, and feel confident making informed decisions about moving their pension to us.

 

2026 applications now open

What Launch has already achieved

 

  • Business challenge

    Financial planning and added-value services that truly meet customer needs.

    Proposition
    Aptap connect banks with merchants to make financial management easier, build partnerships, and negotiate exclusive deals that help customers save money.

    How we’re working together
    We’ve partnered with Aptap to launch our bill switcher service. This helps customers cut costs by comparing and switching energy, broadband, handset and SIM card deals.

  • Launch challenge
    Helping customers through life’s key moments.

    Proposition
    MyPocketSkill helps young people build financial confidence. Their digital platform supports over 120,000 13-24 year olds to find earning opportunities beyond typical jobs and grow their financial skills.

    How we’re working together 
    We’re working with MyPocketSkill to empower Gen Z financially. In 2025, students at 4 UK universities got the tool - helping students earn, save and take control over their money while studying.

  • Business challenge
    Helping customers understand their finances through gamification.

    Proposition
    Doshi offers a fun, gamified approach to financial education. It helps financial institutions build loyalty, gain insights, and offer communities better money skills.

    How we’re working together
    We’re using Doshi’s bite-sized learning, AI tools, missions and rewards to boost financial confidence for 18 - 24-year-old Lloyds Banking Group customers.

  • Business challenge
    Improving our customers’ financial lives.

    Proposition
    Caura’s payment platform lets car owners manage tolls, city charges, MOTs, vehicle tax and insurance - all in one place. Customers can pay in seconds and get competitive insurance from trusted partners.

    How we’re working together
    Since Caura joined our Launch programme and we invested in the platform, we've connected 1,300 Lex customers to Caura, helping them manage their contracts easily through the app - and the number is growing every day. 130 of our brokers promoted the app to customers to boost adoption. We also launched an exclusive leasing offer, available only through the app, with further developments on the horizon.