IBM has partnered with start-up incubator Kstart, an initiative of Indian venture capital firm Kalaari Capital, to offer training and mentoring sessions to Indian start-ups.

Kstart’s entire roster of seed-stage portfolio companies will have the opportunity to apply for the IBM Global Entrepreneur Program, which provides business mentoring, technical support, opportunities to network with enterprise clients, and credits to help entrepreneurs build their applications on IBM Cloud.

IBM executives and technology experts will help Kstart portfolio companies create go-to-market strategies, achieve market alignment, and augment their technology roadmaps. IBM will also invite Kstart participants to training sessions on cognitive learning, analytics and product design.

In return, Kstart will drive awareness and engagement with IBM’s Global Entrepreneur Program (GEP), where start-ups can apply for up to $120,000 in cloud credits to develop and run their applications on IBM Cloud.

Credits can be used on cloud infrastructure or development through Bluemix, which offers 150 APIs (application program interface) from IBM and third parties, including a number of Watson APIs.

Developers can tap into next-generation technology areas like cognitive computing, IoT and analytics, and rapidly bring their solutions to market on a cloud platform that spans 46 cloud data centres worldwide.

IBM’s GEP also provides business mentoring, technology expertise and connections with IBM’s global roster of enterprise clients.

“We believe in creating an environment that can foster innovation, which is why we working with Kalaari Capital to encourage and support the startup community in their journeys”, said Nipun Mehrotra, Vice-President (Growth Initiatives), IBM India/South Asia.

“IBM is committed to helping incubators, early stage start-up companies and next-generation developer communities get access to a range of IBM innovations around cloud, analytics, mobile and cognitive to build and innovate. By using a combination of IBM’s technology offerings, guidance and support, start-ups can accelerate their time-to-market and establish enhancements that differentiate the customer experience”, he said.

Kalaari Capital has a fund value of $650 million and investments in companies like Snapdeal, Urban Ladder, Simplilearn, Myntra and more.

“Collaborating with IBM will help us equip our entrepreneurs with the right expertise and tools to succeed. We welcome our new working relationship with IBM to create an impact in India by enabling next-generation start-ups. We appreciate the support and initiative from IBM to foster the start-up community”, said Vani Kola, Venture Capitalist, Kalaari.

Source: Business Line