NetApp Excellerator invites applications from startups looking to make their solutions ready for the enterprise market

Globally, one of the main components of an increasingly digital world is data, which is available in abundance, and there are thousands of companies working on how to capture this data, store and use it, and how to derive the maximum benefits from the insights it offers.

With NetApp’s rich legacy of innovation in the data management space, in June 2017, the company launched the NetApp Excellerator to help startups with creative and innovative ideas around data realise their full potential, and create market-ready products and solutions that would wow the world.

For the first cohort, the global data storage and management giant received over 260 applications from startups with solutions across IoT, Cloud, Big Data and Analytics, Machine Learning, virtualisation, data security, as well as data management and storage. After a careful screening process, six startups – : Adya, Scalend, VitaCloud, Enclouden, Vaultedge, and LightMetrics – were selected for a four-month-long programme. The demo day for the first cohort was held on December 12.

Now the company is all set to launch the second cohort of the NetApp Excellerator, and is inviting startups with solutions in the cloud, IoT, Big Data and Analytics, Machine Learning, virtualisation, data security, data management, storage, and other related subjects, to apply.

Through the programme, the company wants to share its expertise in the areas of the hybrid cloud, storage, and data management with startups, and help them build world-class, market-ready solutions. “We were a startup once and we would like to give back to the ecosystem in the best way we can,” says Ajeya Motaganahalli, leader of the NetApp Excellerator.

If the success of the first cohort is anything to go by, participation in this programme is almost guaranteed to add value to your business and take your startup to the next level. Of the six startups, one successfully raised an angel funding round, one has signed a multi-million dollar contract with a US-based customer, another has become an alliance partner for NetApp and is working on a joint go-to-market with them, and yet another has pivoted and is working on an enhanced customer proposition.

They’ve all benefitted from the four-month-long programme, which will cover key aspects of scaling a business, such as better understanding market segments, refining key value propositions and formulating the right go-to-market strategies, and getting familiar with legal and HR matters. The selected startups will get a host of benefits, including access to experts, potential investors and customers, collaboration and productivity tools, a fantastic co-working space, partners, customers, and an equity-free grant.

NetApp Excellerator boosted our conviction, say startups from the first cohort

Business and tech mentorship: The selected startups will be mentored by successful entrepreneurs, senior industry leaders, and investors from across the globe, and get personalised learning sessions with tech experts. This will help them identify gaps, and fine-tune for a global market.

Access to tools: The startups will have access to the latest collaboration tools, productivity tools, NetApp’s software development kit, and other relevant technologies to build their solution.

Ecosystem access to speed up go-to-market: NetApp will give participating startups access to their global ecosystem of partners and customers for select interactions including requirements analysis, PoCs, and demos, to help them identify any gaps in their solution and make them market-ready. 

Location advantage: The participating startups will work out of a co-working space in the sprawling NetApp campus in Bengaluru, giving them an opportunity to network and interact with like-minded entrepreneurs.

Business support: Not only technology, the startups will learn about every aspect of running and scaling a successful business, including advice on functions such as legal, tax and compliance, finance, marketing, and human resources.

Equity-free grant: Upon completion of the programme, the startups will get an equity-free grant of US $15000. The startups would also retain ownership of their IP (Intellectual Property) and NetApp will not seek a stake in the same.

Know more about the programme.

The last date to apply is Jan 19, 2018. So apply today.