IBM launches program for entrepreneurs in ASEAN

Startups from Malaysia are invited to participate in the IBM SmartCamp Kickstart event

Petaling Jaya, 9 August 2012 – IBM (NYSE: IBM) IBM today announced that the inaugural IBM SmartCamp Kickstart ASEAN is now open for submissions here – http://www.f6s.com/ibmsmartcampsingaporesept10th#programs/ajax-application.

Facilitated by IBM, the exclusive event is designed to identify early stage entrepreneurs who are developing business ventures that align with IBM Smarter Planet vision.
SmartCamp KickStart events are part of IBM’s Global Entrepreneur Program. The events bring 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 promotion.

Applications for SmartCamp KickStart are now open across ASEAN countries and will close on 24 August 2012. Finalists will be announced on 31 August 2012 and will be asked to present their business idea to a panel of IT experts at the SmartCamp KickStart event in Singapore on 10 September 2012.

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 24 September 2012. 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. 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,” said Lum Seow Khun, Director, ISV and Developer Relations, IBM ASEAN.

In 2010 and 2011, 20 SmartCamp events were held around the world. In each location, five finalists were selected for a one- to two-day event to network with 25 world-class entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts. 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 here in the “Meet the Entrepreneurs” video – https://www-304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/servlet/ContentHandler/isv_com_smp_smartcamp_events.

“Home grown IT start-ups have a particularly challenging time obtaining support from the industry. 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,” said Long Fong Yee, Manager, ISV and Developer Relations, IBM Malaysia.

This year there are 13 IBM SmartCamp KickStart events including, Miami, New York City, Munich, Bangalore, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Moscow, Paris, Istanbul, London, Cape Town, Mexico City and Dublin. Winning companies from these events will have the opportunity to participate in one of the four regional SmartCamp events in Boston, Beijing, Berlin and Sao Paolo.

IBM has a deep commitment to the entrepreneurial community. Since launching the IBM Global Entrepreneur initiative in 2010, IBM has helped launch more than 500 new businesses in key areas such as green energy, health care and transportation.

IBM VC Group professionals work with nearly 300 VC firms and have broadened beyond the Silicon Valley area to more than 30 countries with a focus on key initiatives such as cloud computing and analytics.

IBM nurtures startups, brings them into our 121,000-strong business partner ecosystem, and helps to get their technology ready for market. Over the past six years, IBM has engaged with more than 1,500 startups to bring new technologies to market.

For application on the SmartCamp for all countries in ASEAN, please visit:
http://www.f6s.com/ibmsmartcampsingaporesept10th#programs/ajax-application

For more information on the Global Entrepreneur Program visit: https://www-304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/servlet/ContentHandler/isv_com_smp_startup

For more information on IBM’s work with Entrepreneurs: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL586879A85F4E71A7&feature=edit_ok

IBM SmartCamp on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ibmsmartcamp

IBM Global Entrepreneur on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ibmge