Cisco LaunchPad Invites Applications From Tech Startups For Second Cohort

Startup accelerator, Cisco LaunchPad has invited India-based tech startups focussed on the B2B/B2B2C segments to apply for its second cohort.

In July 2016, IT giant Cisco  launched a startup accelerator, LaunchPad to bring together Cisco Technologies, startups, and the developer community to deliver business relevant end-to-end digital solutions.

LaunchPad is more than an accelerator as it provides startups with an opportunity to be part of an innovative ecosystem. The four-month-long accelerator programme offers startups a go-to-market engine to validate and scale innovative ideas. The LaunchPad programme includes 4-6 startups in each cohort.

As per its official website, selected startups gets a grant of $8,000 upon graduation and up to $500 per month is available to support the IT needs of startups. Furthermore, startups also have the opportunity to extend their reach globally to customers, partners, and investors in Silicon Valley and other hotbeds of innovation.

The applications are evaluated and shortlisted applicants are invited for a face-to-face pitch session with Cisco’s leadership team. The final selection is based on the strength of the business idea/plan, team capabilities, and relevance to the focus areas.

Cisco selects those startups that have an innovative and scalable idea coupled with a great team as the programme focusses on Cisco’s core technology areas: networking and infrastructure, collaboration, security, IoT, and video. Additionally, enabling technologies like analytics, cloud, machine learning/deep learning/natural language processing, visualisation/UX, virtual reality, Smart Things, and last-mile connectivity are also focussed upon.

After the graduation of eight startups in January 2017 – AlgoEngines, VuNet, Teslon, Torchfi, Navstik Labs, HaltDos, Astrome and IQLECT, Cisco is accepting applications for its next cohort.

Interested startups can apply online for the programme.