3/23/2016
The Web Ready contest turned into the GoTech business integrator
Web Ready, the largest independent contest of technology companies in Eastern Europe, has not only changed its name, but also modified its concept to a large extent. GoTech transformed from a traditional contest into a facility for integration of best technology companies into strategic partners’ businesses.
Web Ready, the largest independent contest of technology companies in Eastern Europe, has not only changed its name, but also modified its concept to a large extent. GoTech transformed from a traditional contest into a facility for integration of best technology companies into strategic partners’ businesses.
Applications can be submitted starting from March 15, and the first results will be available on October 6, 2016, when the GoToMarket forum is scheduled within GoTech.
Actually, GoTech does not just mean collecting applications and assessing small and medium-scale technology businesses, but also means “packaging” those mentioned above for the needs of their strategic partners, and tracking projects interesting to them. Participants obtain additional chances of financing and access to resources of corporations, and strategic partners get technology projects prepared for implementation.
The EMC corporation has become the first partner of GoTech and announced a call for applications from companies developing projects in the sphere of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data & Analytics, or those creating Smart City Technologies. Besides prize money, the winner in the nomination will be given a chance to start a joint ЕМС go-to-market project.
“Throughout its long history since 2009, the Web Ready contest had given many companies a powerful stimulus for development in the form of investments and strategic partnerships. Judging only by the stories we know, over 50 projects out of finalists and winners of previous years have obtained investments in amount exceeding 1.2BN roubles. Web Ready finalists have received investment from Runa Capital, Maxfield, Altair Capital, IIDF, Starta Capital, the Untitled, Almaz Capital, LETA Capital, Russia Partners, and other well-known funds. Dozens of companies have become residents of Skolkovo. There are known examples of successful deals signed with corporations. For instance, 1С has purchased My Stock and Nebo (“Sky”) projects, Yandex has invested in GBooking, MTS collaborates with Command Spot, Intel works with the AddReality and Face_IS projects. We want GoTech to help our strategic partners to solve their business goals, extend product ranges, find new technologies and companies for investment. Certainly, a mere funnel screening of suitable projects is not enough for that purpose, the projects should be prepared for co-operation with a partner,” says Irina Kalashnikova, the head of GoTech.
Companies developing technology projects in the IT sphere and adjoining sectors are encouraged to take part in the contest.
The Supervisory Board of GoTech includes Dmitry Chikhachyov (Runa Capital), Aleksandr Yegorov (Reksoft), Konstantin Sinyushin (the Untitled VC), Vyacheslav Nesterov (ЕМС), Igor Kaloshin (Intel), and Igor Bogachyov (Skolkovo Fund).
The Forum part of GoTech will include a series of conferences devoted to collaboration between corporations and startups and to marketing of technology products; networking with investors at VC & Corporate Corner, and with journalists at Press Corner, as well as the final stage of the contest: VC Pitch, Startup Battle and the winner awards ceremony.
