IBM, in collaboration with the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA), has hosted a forum for start-ups, independent software vendors (ISVs) and developers at SmartCity Malta aimed specifically to assist them capture new business opportunities. IBM illustrated how these players can work more efficiently with IBM, and especially how they can benefit from IBM programs available to them, providing access to resources and support in areas such as software, expertise and promotion.
In today’s challenging economic environment, technology start-ups struggle to bring new ideas to market. In response, IBM seeks to team up with entrepreneurs to help them take advantage of growth opportunities driven by shifts in the technology industry such as big data, cloud, social business and mobility.
“IBM is opening its resources more widely to start-ups, ISVs and developers in Malta as we want to offer entrepreneurs and start-ups our resources and knowledge to help them innovate, transform and grow. Our goal is to help them gain the skills they need to bring new ideas supported by IBM technology to fuel innovation”, stated Verónica Respaldiza, IBM ISV & Developer Relations Manager for Spain, Portugal, Greece, Israel and Malta.
“From our end we wish to use MITA’s privileged position as the largest IT enterprise in Malta, as a launchpad to help establish local IT companies and start-ups as born-globals, and make use of resources world players like IBM can make available to help them internationalise and grow”, argued Hon. Dr. Jose Herrera, Parliamentary Secretary Competitiveness and Economic Growth during his opening speech.
Throughout this event, special attention was drawn to technologies like cloud computing which offers a powerful platform for developers and start-ups to build, manage and run applications through an “as-a-service” delivery model.
In addition, IBM described the following company programs:
IBM Global Entrepreneur: an entrepreneur focused program which provides no-charge software, and software through the cloud, access to events which connect start-ups with venture capitalists, and support from dedicated IBM project managers for guidance in project development.
DeveloperWorks: resources and support programs to help developers build business solutions.
IBM PartnerWorld: designed to support IBM business partners and provide with new capabilities, programs, education and IBM offerings.