Startupbootcamp announces global alliance with Cisco

Startupbootcamp, a global startup accelerator network, has announced its global collaboration with leading IT firm Cisco, which has already worked with its Amsterdam and Berlin accelerator programs for the past three years.

Under the partnership, Cisco will be expanding its work with Startupbootcamp to now support Startupbootcamp across all of its 14 physical locations and 325+ portfolio companies. Cisco’s decision to expand from a local partner to a global partner reflects its strategy to increase its work in the global innovation ecosystem.

“We’re incredibly excited to be intensifying our work with Startupbootcamp,” said Maciej Kranz, vice president of the Corporate Strategic Innovation Group at Cisco. “This partnership expands our co-innovation efforts with the thriving startup ecosystem. Together we’re more equipped to bring digital solutions that transform the businesses of customers and partners.”

With this deal, early-stage startups joining any of Startupbootcamp’s accelerator programs will have direct access to Cisco Investments, Cisco’s corporate venture capital arm. Startups will also have access to Cisco’s technology and services, go-to-market through sales leads, and exposure to Cisco’s broad base of customers and partners through the company’s nine global Innovation Centers, as well as mentorship opportunities with Cisco employees.

“Adding Cisco as one of our core Global Partners is a huge win for Startupbootcamp’s community of startup founders, mentors, investors, and partners, all of whom will be able to form even closer relationships with the tech leader”, Andy Shannon, the Head of Startupbootcamp Global said.

Cisco joins other Startupbootcamp Global Partners which includes the likes of Intel, Salesforce, Amazon Web Services, and Google which form part of the accelerator’s unique position in connecting early-stage startups accepted into their various programs with industry leaders and their technology. 

Founded in 2010, Startupbootcamp runs 14 industry-specific programs in across Asia, Europe and the United States. It has accelerated over 325 early-stage startups innovating in sectors such as Internet of Things, FinTech, Smart Transportation, Hardware, Big Data and Smart Cities.

Recently, Startupbootcamp FinTech London 2016 cohort was announced which included nine startups from diverse sectors including Artifical Intelligence (AI), blockchain and others. The London program kicks off on September 5th, 2016.