IBM and RVC invite young entrepreneurs to participate in the SmartCamp competition

Hi, Habr! IBM and RVC announce the opening of acceptance of applications for participation in the IBM Smart Camp competition, which will be held June 17-18 in Moscow . IBM SmartCamp is a unique international initiative aimed at finding start-up entrepreneurs who are implementing projects that support the concept of "Reasonable Planet". Participation in the program allows you to get free access to IBM software and hardware, technical support for the project, advice and assistance in promoting the finished product to the market.

The event will be attended by five companies whose projects will be selected by an expert committee of IBM and RVC. According to the results of the Russian stage of the IBM SmartCamp, out of five applicants one finalist will be selected who will take part in a three-month in-depth mentoring program from IBM, and will also have the opportunity to present their project at the regional final of SmartCamp in Europe.

During the event, entrepreneurs will be able to present their projects to the jury, hear expert opinion, get advice on further development and discuss options for possible cooperation. The jury will include representatives of the Russian and foreign venture capital industry, business leaders, industry and technical experts, heads of IBM and RVC OJSC.
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Representatives of start-up companies that implement projects in the field of information and communication technologies are invited to participate in the competition. To apply, enterprises must meet the following criteria:

• The age of the participating company does not exceed 5 years with an annual turnover of less than $ 10 million.
• The implementation of the project involves the use of technical devices (for example, sensors, sensors, video cameras), communication networks and analytics.
• A prototype / demonstration of the proposed solution is desirable.
• The project must have the potential for development in the global market.

Application for participation in the contest can be submitted.
before 19:00 on May 20, 2013 on the IBM website: ibm.biz/BdxnF3 .
The application must be completed in English.
Contact person at IBM: Alexey Polunin, (495) 775-88-00 ext. 2291, AlexeyPolunin@ru.ibm.com

“IBM SmartCamp allows you to build relationships between academia, government agencies, venture capital investors and start-ups at one event, ” said Kirill Korniliev, CEO of IBM in Russia and the CIS. “IBM SmartCamp is a great opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to present their project and get advice on its further development from leading industry experts.”
IBM SmartCamp is part of the IBM Global Entrepreneur program, represented in Russia in 2012 in conjunction with RVC OJSC.






“Supporting competitions aimed at the development of high-tech entrepreneurship in Russia is one of the strategic directions of RVC’s activities. The task of RVC cooperation with IBM is to expand opportunities for the development of innovative business in Russia by providing the necessary tools and services at the international level, - comments Igor Agamirzyan, CEO and Chairman of the Board of RVC OJSC. “The SmartCamp International Competition is a good and timely IBM initiative aimed at developing innovative companies. We hope to see the professionalism shown by companies, mentors and judges in this competition with us. Obviously, holding a competition of this level in Russia is a significant step in the development of the Russian innovation ecosystem. ”