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Alibaba Cloud has announced a partnership with start-up hub Haymarket HQ, as the emerging cloud provider aims to help local businesses advance across Asia Pacific.
Terms of the agreement will see the tech giant bring the Create@Alibaba Cloud global start-up contest to Australia and New Zealand, offering the winner up to US$50,000 credit for cloud product resources from Alibaba Cloud.
The winner of the A/NZ contest will be invited to the global final, to be held in Shanghai on 13 October, where the participants will pitch in front of prominent global investors, offering the opportunity to expand networks beyond local shores.
“We see a growing trend in the A/NZ region of start-ups looking to engage with Asian markets,” Haymarket HQ general manager Duco van Breemen said.
“By partnering with Alibaba Cloud, one of the largest cloud providers in the Asia Pacific region and globally, we are helping start-ups across the region explore new opportunities.”
Specifically, the collaboration will leverage the support of Haymarket HQ’s co-working space, network of mentors and investors, as well as Alibaba Cloud’s cloud computing expertise and technology ecosystem.
“We are pleased to work with Haymarket HQ and expand the Create@Alibaba Cloud program to the ANZ region this year,” Alibaba Cloud head of ASEAN and A/NZ Raymond Ma added.
“Alibaba Cloud celebrates the innovations of start-ups in these markets and is committed to providing technologies that stimulate growth.”
Start-up companies will be able to submit applications from now until the 31 August, with the ANZ regional competition set to take place at Haymarket HQ on 22 September.
Prizes on offer for local start-ups include preferential access to the Alibaba Group’s first round of investment programs and recommendations, as well as a round-trip ticket to the 2017 CACSC Final in Shanghai.
Further benefits include the opportunity to receive training on scaling a business, alongside direct access to well-known investors from across the region.
