The IBM Hyper Protect Accelerator is a partnership between Village Capital and IBM that provides investment preparedness and technical coaching. The initiative assists impact-driven businesses that leverage highly sensitive data to improve the quality and accessibility of digital, financial, and healthcare services. The IBM Hyper Protect Accelerator has already helped 146 early-stage firms throughout the world, and applications for Cohort 6 and Friends of Hyper Protect (FoHP) Class III are now available. Check out our previous cohort firms by clicking here.
As part of the arrangement, neither IBM nor Village Capital will take any stock in their firm.
The 2023 program will expand to support more companies working on impactful Datatech products, and consist of three components:
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The IBM Hyper Protect Accelerator, HPA (Up to 15 companies): 1 year of technical mentorship from IBM (including up to $120,000 of free IBM cloud credits), access to IBM’s network & a 3 month intensive Village Capital Investment Readiness Accelerator with bespoke mentor and investor matching.
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Friends of Hyper Protect, FoHP (Up to 30 companies): 1 year of quarterly technical mentorship from IBM (including up to $120,000 of free IBM cloud credits), access to IBM’s network & 3 months of tailored business support from Village Capital with a focus on milestone planning and investor matchmaking.
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The DataTech for Good Coalition: A coalition on Village Capital’s Abaca platform that matches DataTech for good startups with like-minded investors and peers.
Benefits:
- Connections
Build deep connections with other founders in your cohort and our larger Village Capital investor and alumni network.
- Mentorship
1 year of on-demand technical mentorship, where companies get access to IBM’s network of subject matter experts, partners, technicians, go-to-market support, co-marketing, and branding.
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Training
Join interactive sessions tailored to help your company identify early milestones and prepare for your next round of capital.
- Advice
Work with an investment analyst who will coach you 1:1 on building a financial model, identifying unit economics, and using financial metrics.
- Exposure
Get featured on Village Capital’s program website and other collateral.
- IBM Cloud Credits
Access to up to $120,000 in IBM Cloud credits, up to $10,000 per month for the first year.
Eligibility:
Village Capital and IBM will identify, vet, and recruit 45 companies using highly sensitive personal data to increase access to digital solutions, including -but not limited to- Fintech, Datatech, Digital Assets, Edtech, Insuretch, and other solutions. The virtual Accelerator will take place between September and December 2023 and there will be continued support from IBM into 2024.
If managing sensitive data is at the core of your business and security on the public cloud is a priority for you, then this accelerator is for you! To be eligible, you must be:
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Legally incorporated as a for-profit entity
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Using Personally Identifiable Information to increase access to digital, financial, or healthcare services
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Under $10 million in yearly revenue
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Less than 10 years old
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Have good traction (this is not limited to revenue, but can include successful pilot studies, number of users, and/or strategic partnerships)
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A founder/member of the exec team must be able to commit to attending every session. (~40 hours total between September and December 2023, 3 hour sessions)
