NetApp Unveils Startup Accelerator Program in Bangalore

NetApp has unveiled the NetApp Excellerator program in Bangalore in the presence of Mohandas Pai, Guest of Honour and keynote speaker, partners, venture capitalists, startups, and customers . Through this program, the company wants to share its unique perspective and experience around data with startups, and invest in solutions that will help enterprises through this era of digital transformation.

Applications for the four-month-long program are now open for start-ups. Selected start-ups will receive technology and business mentorship as well as access to markets and investors to realize the full potential of their ideas and products in the global market place. Applications are invited from startups working in the areas related to IoT, cloud, big data and analytics, machine learning, virtualization, data security, storage and data management, and other adjacent areas.

The NetApp Excellerator program will provide startups with access to collaboration and productivity tools, co-working space out of the company’s global center of excellence in Bangalore as well as networking opportunities with potential investors, partners, and customers. Selected startups will have access to NetApp platforms and technologies, tools, co-working space, HR, marketing, legal and tech support. NetApp will provide an equity free grant of USD 15,000 to these startups upon completion of the program. What is more is that the startups can own their IP (Intellectual Property) and NetApp would not seek a stake in the same.

Deepak Visweswaraiah, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, NetApp India said, “The tech industry is going through a transformational shift with data right at the center. Given NetApp’s rich legacy of innovation in the data management space, and the fact that we were once a startup ourselves, we recognize that some of the most creative, breakthrough ideas will happen within India’s thriving startup ecosystem. Through the NetApp Excellerator program, we would like to encourage and support these start-ups and provide them with an opportunity to graduate to their next phase of growth.”

Ajeya Motaganahalli, Director - NetApp India, who will be driving the program said, “Through the NetApp Excellerator program, we seek to engage with promising entrepreneurs contributing to diverse set of tech areas. We will assist these startups with guidance on building business relevance, exposure to our technology, partners and customers, as well as venture capitalists, and explore opportunities where we can take them to market. Our goal is to simply foster innovation and push these brilliant ideas forward.”