Calls

Cyber Security for SMB

By Made of Lisboa Aug 7, 2020

Cybersecurity startups: Applications are now open for Kaspersky iHub’s Open Innovation Program. Until Sep 13, 2020

The Kaspersky Innovation Hub (iHub) is announcing a new call for startups that are developing cybersecurity solutions, as part of its Open Innovation Program. Winners will be offered to launch a pilot project with leading international cybersecurity company Kaspersky.

Meet Kaspersky, and the Kaspersky Innovation Hub

Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity company that has been operating in the market for over 23 years. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into next generation security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky technologies and they help 250,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them.

Starting in 2019, the Kaspersky Innovation Hub has already held three rounds of startup calls dedicated to areas like Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), transportation, blockchain and anti-fraud technology, all-life protection and gaming. Winners of the challenges had the opportunity to collaborate on joint business cases with Kaspersky, as well as to receive support for the launch of their products.

Who can apply?

For this new round of applications, the Kaspersky Innovation Hub is looking for teams creating solutions on the edge of cybersecurity, designed for the needs of small and medium-sized companies. This includes protection for cloud users, data and applications, as well as network security technologies.

Applications for the call are open for startups that already have a legal entity, product or prototype, and several closed deals or ongoing pilots. The Kaspersky team will assess technical and business validation, investment opportunity of the startups, along with their readiness and interest in collaborating with Kaspersky iHub to improve the global cybersecurity landscape. The scouting process will be organized on four technical platforms – GoTech, Dsight, Axis Innovation and F6S.

Decisions on which startups are selected will be based on the ability of their products or technologies to solve concrete cybersecurity use cases applicable to small and medium-sized businesses, and will be tested through open challenges designed by Kaspersky and partners.

What’s in it for me?

The selected teams will gain a range of benefits, such as:

- Taking part in a pilot project and working jointly with Kaspersky on product development

- Getting further access to Kaspersky’s channel partners (including distributors and resellers), clients and prospects

- Receiving support for the launch of their products

- Getting technical advice and business mentoring from the company’s experts

Vitaly Mzokov, Head of the Innovation Hub at Kaspersky, explained more about the programme: “Today, small businesses are one of the key drivers of the global economy, being the most represented in many countries and employing millions of workers worldwide. Despite the size of their organizations and their processes, they face similar challenges to their larger counterparts. With our new startup call, the Kaspersky Innovation Hub aims to enhance our efforts with innovators in order to meet the specific needs of small and medium-sized organizations and let them focus on business priorities while being confident in the security of their organizations”.

Selected entrepreneurs will be invited to present their projects in front of a jury during Online Demo Selection Days on September 29-30, 2020.

For more details on how to apply to take part in the challenge, please visit https://www.kaspersky.com/open-innovation-smb-call/.

The closing date for online applications is September 13, 2020.

https://www.eu-startups.com/2020/08/calling-cybersecurity-startups-applications-now-open-for-ihubs-open-innovation-program-sponsored/