Cisco has announced its support and commitment to French technology start-ups scene by launching incubator and accelerator programmes and direct funding for the most promising Internet of Everything (IoT) start-ups in the country.
This move follows a deal signed earlier this year between Cisco and the French government aimed to accelerate the digital transformation of France with dedicated $100m investment to start-ups.
At the same time, the company has stressed that it intends to actively participate in all stages of the programme, from identification, creation of incubators programmes to both directly and indirectly funding IoE start-ups.
Therefore, Cisco has launched a series of new initiatives to facilitate this transition.
As a part of the deal, it will help promote new talents under a “Le Defi” (“The Cisco Challenge”) initiative that is bringing together people from different backgrounds to facilitate finding solutions for a new IoE enterprise focused on environmental innovation. This move will be spearheaded by the Cisco Networking Academy while the winners will be awarded €35,000 for implementation of their ideas.
Also, Cisco has promised its support for Aix-en-Provence digital innovation campus, an initiative backed by the French Minister for Economy, which facilitates the collaboration between researchers, businesses and start-ups.
Additionally, around 22 carefully selected start-ups will receive Cisco’s support and help, such as equipment and expertise, to bring their ideas to market under Cisco’s partnership deal with the NUMA Sprint accelerator programme.
Among other key initiatives launched by Cisco is a partnership with a French M2M and IoT specialist Actility as the company has chosen to support its platform ThingPark Wireless solution which helps connect cities, buildings and factories. ThingPark uses the LoRaWAN standard, which Cisco has selected as open technology. Together with Actility, Cisco will help accelerate the deployment of IoE infrastructure and services.
Finally, the company has invested in a Parisian start-up 6WIND, a software solutions specialist for network operators helping to solve performance challenges. Under the partnership deal, Cisco will directly support it by providing infrastructure solutions that deliver high-speed broadband and smart grids, it says.
“Innovation is in the DNA of Cisco. France has almost limitless potential and our mission is to support innovation across our entire ecosystem. These first initiatives demonstrate our active cooperation with innovative companies to aid them in their development, and show that we are committed to continuing our efforts in this area to drive growth, competitiveness and employment of our country,” says Robert Vassoyan CEO, Cisco France.