WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 20, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- IBM today announced three programs aimed at alleviating the problems plaguing startups today - finding financially friendly IT (information technology) fast, gathering sound, relevant business advice and building a successful global business.
Today's announcements include: Quick Launch for e-business Ventures. A comprehensive package of IBM hardware, software, storage, education and support, backed by IBM Global Financing, that saves a startup from having to build their own infrastructure without breaking the bank. IBM Incubator Series. An initiative that focuses on teaming with leading incubators to deliver customized products, services and world. Going Global. A seminar series to share with startups what IBM has learned about doing business in more than 160 countries, enabling startups to tap markets around the world in Internet time.
"It's no longer just about getting to market first, it's about building a sustainable, successful business" said Jim Corgel, general manager, IBM's Global Net Generation Business. "IBM has the technology and the business experience that startups can use to build a successful business; these programs we're announcing today deliver just what every startup needs."
Quick Launch for e-business Ventures
Quick Launch is a comprehensive go-to-market program featuring a suite of products and services - including hardware, software, services, financing, education and support - geared to start-up web companies Quick Launch will minimize startups' upfront expenses and improve cash flow for companies specializing in Web-based production systems.
"Attractive financing options and proven business consulting services are what made me choose Quick Launch for my company," said Stefan Jacobs, president of iMovieStudio.com. "I can now focus on my core business - revolutionizing the entertainment industry - and let IBM worry about the infrastructure needed to build my business."
Developed with IBM Business Partners and designed to address the unique needs of startup companies, Quick Launch is intended to build a relationship among startup e-business companies, IBM and IBM Business Partners as they drive to deliver their solution to market. The first IBM Business Partner to deliver Quick Launch to the marketplace is KeyLink Systems, the computer distribution business within Pioneer-Standard.
"KeyLink Systems is committed to providing our reseller partners with the best tools possible to support their customers' e-business initiatives," said Matt Reaves, director, software and solutions marketing, KeyLink Systems. "Quick Launch is a natural fit with KeyLink Systems' suite of e-business offerings, because it equips our resellers with the ability to provide total e-business solutions to startup companies."
Quick Launch will be available in the United States and Puerto Rico in mid-July. Similar offerings are also available in other countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Indonesia and Thailand. Availability of these offerings in additional countries will follow.
IBM Incubator Series
In November 1999, IBM announced its incubator relationship with ConXion and began an initiative for working with additional leading incubators to deliver customized products, services and solutions to Internet business developers around the world. The IBM Incubator Series, announced today, has grown to include eight incubators around the world -- ConXion, Epoch Internet and the newly announced XXI Technologies in the United States, Exclamation and West Shore Interactive in Canada, Spydre Labs, focused on the Latin American Internet community, Antfactory announced today in London and Nomura/Jafco Investments in Malaysia.
The IBM Incubator Series serves as a single point of access for incubators to the IBM products and services that can enable them to develop their portfolio companies from regional startups to international businesses. In an arena where speed to market, infrastructure stability, and scalability are the keys to success, IBM's Incubator Series provides a competitive advantage to Net Generation companies on a global level. The IBM Incubator Series harnesses not only leading technology and solution development, but also IBM's global marketing presence and unparalleled Business Partner Network for emerging e-business innovators around the world.
"Having IBM team with us on our incubator gives us and our startups the leading, competitive, scalable tools we need to build successful on-line businesses and products," said Graeme Wallace, co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer for XXI Technologies. "We want our portfolio companies to have industrial-strength environments when their web business takes off and IBM provides that."
Going Global
Just because you are on the Internet does not mean you are a global company. Some startups find this out the hard way through failed marketing campaigns, botched distribution routes or mis-managed international currency. Through Going Global, startups learn skills, strategies and proven tactics for doing business in international markets.
Customers have told IBM they want help in two areas: operating globally and linking with potential marketplace partners. Going Global addresses both. Seminars for customers all around the world will teach them what they need to know about becoming truly global -- international marketing and branding, building global business and customer relationships, finance and technology issues. IBM-hosted Global Networking Events following the Going Global seminars allow graduates access to cross-continent as well as intra-geographic contacts. The agenda for each seminar will be based on consultations with customers prior to the seminar so their requirements are covered.
Designed specifically to speed startups to profitability, Going Global is the forum for IBM to share its experience of doing business in over 160 countries. The first Going Global seminar will be held in September 2000.
More information about all programs above can be found at http://www.ibm.com/solutions/netgeneration.
About IBM's Global Net Generation Business
IBM's Global Net Generation Business is focused on delivering customized, flexible and scalable Internet solutions for companies of all sizes. Drawing on resources from across IBM and 90,000 IBM Business Partners, IBM's Net Generation Business helps Internet Service Providers, Web hosting companies, portals and born-on-the-Web companies establish their businesses and become profitable in Internet time. For more information on how IBM is helping Net Generation companies, visit http://www.ibm.com/solutions/netgeneration.
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