IBM out to ‘KickStart’ entrepreneurs in ASEAN

• To identify early-stage entrepreneurs whose business ventures align with IBM’s Smarter Planet vision
• Part of Global Entrepreneur Program to bring together startups with tech experts, VCs and others for mentoring, development

IBM has announced a ‘SmartCamp KickStart’ program to identify early-stage entrepreneurs who are developing business ventures that align with its Smarter Planet vision.
 
The inaugural event for startups in ASEAN (the Association of South-East Asian Nations) is now open for submissions at http://www.f6s.com/ibmsmartcampsingaporesept10th#programs/ajax-application, the company said in a statement.
 
SmartCamp KickStart events are part of IBM’s Global Entrepreneur Program, which brings together startup companies with technology experts, venture capitalists and serial entrepreneurs for mentoring and development.
 
Participating companies will have access to support and resources in terms of products, people and promotions, IBM said.
 
Applications for SmartCamp KickStart are now open across ASEAN countries and will close on Aug 24 August. The finalists will be announced on Aug 31 and will be asked to present their business ideas to a panel of IT experts at the SmartCamp KickStart event in Singapore on Sept 10.
 
The ASEAN winner will receive 12 weeks of mentorship from IBM, as well as the chance to progress to the Asia SmartCamp event in Beijing on Sept 24. The selected finalist of the Beijing stage will then go on to the IBM SmartCamp Global Finals to vie for the top spot as IBM Entrepreneur of the Year.
 
“IBM has been searching around the world, and now in ASEAN, for the best and brightest startup companies,” said Lum Seow Khun, director of Independent Software Vendor and Developer Relations at IBM ASEAN.
 
“To help build a smarter planet, through the SmartCamp program, we would like to help these startups get to market faster and at the same time, provide IBM clients access to the latest technologies,” he added.
 
“Home grown IT start-ups have a particularly challenging time obtaining support from the industry,” said Long Fong Yee (pic), manager of ISV and Developer Relations at IBM Malaysia.
 
“Initiatives such as SmartCamp are needed to provide accessible opportunities to entrepreneurs who lack access to the right resources, support and expertise to further grow the industry, and potentially the country’s economy,” he added.

Since the inception of SmartCamps, start-ups have received more than US$60 million in venture capital funding. The story of three former participants are showcased in the “Meet the Entrepreneurs” video – https://www-304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/servlet/ContentHandler/isv_com_smp_smartcamp_events.