Scaling any technology business is tough, but in the software industry, it is not just hard; either you scale or die. As an early-stage startup, you’ll need all the help you can get. So, you might want to have a look at the Benelux Comet Competition, launched by Ingram Micro, one of the largest technology distributors in the worlds.
With the Comet Competition, it strives to accelerate the next generation of B2B technology around the world. The competition is designed to give startups – independent software vendors (ISV) – the financial backing they need to get new technologies off the ground. The competition claims to be the only challenge dedicated to discovering talented B2B independent software vendors (ISVs) and help them achieve channel market success.
How does it work? If your company generated less than $10M in revenue during the last 12 months, you’re eligible to apply and compete. After an online and offline pitching process, the regional winners are awarded $100,000, while in each region also three runner-ups are selected who receive $50,000 each.
Apply before the deadline of October 31st and also become eligible for next year’s grand finale. Finalist will be flown to the Cloud Summit 2020 in Miami, where a $1 million cash prize is at stake. That’s not all. For the winners, the reward includes 100+ hours of engineering support and up to $250,000 in Azure credits from Microsoft.
Let’s now hear from previous winners how they feel about competing ánd succeeding in the challenge.
Arun Buduri, the co-founder of anti-phishing software Pixm, was psyched to be one of the winners and to be on stage during the grand finale: “It was fantastic. Awesome. Incredible. Having Ingram Micro as a channel partner for us is truly amazing, and being at the Cloud Summit were all the resellers were present, was incredible.”
Roy Dalal is the CEO and co-founder, of Verifyoo, a user verification solution based on behavioural analysis, yet more user-friendly and secure while maintaining user privacy. Verifyoo was the winner representing Tel Aviv last year. “It has been amazing to be a part of Ingram Micro’s competition, everything from the organization to the Summit itself. We would like to thank everybody involved for giving us this opportunity.”
Eric Simone is the CEO of Clearblade, a company from Austin (TX) that is standardizing the way Internet of Things solutions are delivered, thus enabling large enterprises to roll-out complex solutions for railway, mining, or healthcare. To him, it was a great honor to be part of the Comet Competition and the Cloud Summit. “Ingram Micro is the largest technology distributor in the world. Internet of things is the marriage of hardware and software, and Ingram delivers both those things to customers today.”
So, do you want to compete with your Benelux software business in the Comet Competition and have a shot at the $1 million, equity-free, prize money? The application has been prolonged, you’ll now have until October 31st to enter the Benelux Comet Competition.
This article is produced in collaboration with Ingram Micro. Read more about our partnering opportunities.
