Kaspersky
Open Innovation
Program
B2C Future Solutions
Become a Kaspersky innovation partner!
Join the program and launch a PoC with Kaspersky Innovation Hub!
Deadline date for applications is
December
1, 2021
What we offer
What we’re looking for
We are looking for innovative B2C products and services that will create
additional value for our clients.
Selection criteria:
- Growth stage company. Raised Series A or later funding rounds.
- Finished product. The product is market ready, validated through sales.
- Developed technology. Technology at the core of a product is well developed, proprietary, novel and scalable.
Technological areas
- Personal finance and money management
- Cyber-risk prevention and management (physical and digital platforms and tools)
- Secure storage and payment technology e.g. e-wallets, walts
- Fast and secure VPN for gamers
- Voice control technology
- Communication services
- Playmate finder
- Payment provision for younger or foreign customers
- Digital goods ownership brokerage
- Game modification software
- Cheating identification and submission
- Content discovery opportunities
- Cyberbullying protection
- Profanity filter
- Cloud gaming
- Game mode and optimization
- Levelling and progression
- External house staff control e.g. video monitoring, offensive language detection and alerts tech
- Identity theft protection e.g. detection, alert, protection and resolution
- Virtual assistant e.g. AI based concierge / secretary
- Family digital organizer tools
- Fully private and secure email services and document exchange platform
- IoT cybersecurity management
- Family expenses management
How it works
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Startup application
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Internal experts review and rating
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Invitation to internal pitching session
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If selected, PoC phase
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If PoC successful, invitation to demo days
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Agreements with Kaspersky for scaling phase
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About Open Innovation Program
Open Innovation Program is a global initiative by Kaspersky in which it is looking around the world for interesting startups with MVPs and the first revenue, with which the Kaspersky could bring truly innovative products and services to the global market.
About Kaspersky
Kaspersky is a leading global cybersecurity and digital privacy company: our security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats and protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe.
Our Experts
FAQ
General questions
Why are you organizing this program?
We have identified strategic areas for development in the B2C segment and wish to invite ambitious and technologically advanced companies to become our partners in these areas.
Why would mature companies participate in this program?
For mature companies, it is an opportunity to quickly check the business sense of a partnership with Kaspersky, determine the format of their cooperation, and agree on a mutually beneficial partnership in an easier way than through cold contacts with individual entities at Kaspersky.
Will you consider any types of B2B product for the program?
If a solution meets the selection criteria and technological areas, then it can potentially be considered. A B2B solution should not require any revision on our part to enter the B2C market. It is more important for us that the partner understands the B2C market, is ready to work in it, and is able to allocate resources. Still, experience has shown that there is rarely a B2B solution that doesn’t require refining for the B2C market.
Is it an incubation or acceleration program?
Neither. This is a partner program focused on conducting the PoCs between third parties and Kaspersky. Through this program we aim to test your product/service, validate its technical and business potential and develop the business jointly.
Do I have to give away some equity shares?
No, the program is cost- and equity-free for you.
Organizational questions
How does a startup apply?
The application process is very easy: click on “Apply” to register and fill in the form.
Can I submit my idea or solution as an individual or can I only apply on behalf of a team?
Our focus is preferably for ongoing company projects with a working team rather than an individual. Nonetheless, if you have an outstanding individual project, we would encourage you to email us at ihub@kaspersky.com!
How mature does the solution need to be?
In this cohort, we are looking for innovative solutions with a:
- Growth stage company. Raised Series A or later funding rounds.
- Finished product. The product is market ready, validated through sales.
- Developed technology. Technology at the core of a product is well developed, proprietary, novel and scalable.
What are the benefits of applying?
We offer a wide range of benefits to startups:
- Commercial PoC. Upon successful PoC completion, partner is eligible for compensation of up to 10,000 US dollars
- Expert evaluation. Technical and business validation by Innovation Hub and Kaspersky experts
- Access to clients and sales channel. Access to Kaspersky’s client base of over 400 million users and more than 240,000 corporate clients
- Long-term partnership. A successful PoC with Kaspersky leads to product integration and license purchase; creation of a joint product or investment/M&A
- Access to APIs. Startups within the program have access to selected APIs for various Kaspersky services
What products within the Kaspersky ecosystem are you considering cooperating with?
First of all, this is a potential cooperation with products that have a high user value. In particular, we are talking about Kaspersky Secure Cloud and Kaspersky Total Security.
Are you thinking of investing in my company?
We are open to the possibility of minority investments in startups as well as acquiring some control in them, but it’s not a focus of this program.
What is the deadline for applications?
We have decided to run this program throughout 2021, but we encourage you to apply quickly, as our capacity for partners is limited.
Who can see my application?
The reviewer team made up of Kaspersky Innovation Hub team and Kaspersky Experts will be responsible for evaluating your project. For more info, see the privacy policy.
Can I submit my application in my native language?
Application forms will only be accepted in English or Russian.
When will I find out if my company has been selected?
We will send an email informing you whether your company has been selected over the course of the program. Stay tuned!
What happens after the submission? What will happen if my project is selected?
We will perform a rigorous validation process involving three phases:
- We will constantly analyze all the submitted projects and create a shortlist of those with the most potential.
- Shortlisted projects undergo a second stage (pre-validation) that includes technical, business and market analysis. Selected projects are invited to internal Pitch Days sessions with our experts. During this pitching session, Kaspersky’s experts will select the most promising projects for PoC.
- Those projects that successfully pass the pre-validation phase will enter the PoC phase, with a total duration of three months that will be led by the Kaspersky Innovation Hub team. During the PoC stage our team will test the technological capabilities of your product, as well as run synthetic tests for potential mutual products using questionnaires, expert interviews, customer development, A/B tests and other instruments. Finally we will test actual demand for mutual products from a selected number of current Kaspersky clients.
- Finally, those projects that successfully complete all hypothesis testing during the PoC phase will be included in the list of finalists and invited to pitch at the Online Demo Days. We will send you all the necessary information. We will also help you fine-tune your pitch presentation via dedicated one-to-one online coaching sessions prior to the event.
Is the pilot stage obligatory, and is it possible to cooperate without a pilot?
Pilots and simulation tests are a must for collaboration. This is important for Kaspersky and the participant company. Our approach is focused on choosing a partner, finding synergies in product solutions and customer segments, testing demand (simulation and commercial types), and reaching a cooperation agreement (revenue sharing model). Pilots are carried out as simulation landing pages with a user value description.
What will happen during the Demo Day?
You will have the opportunity to present your project in front of Kaspersky senior management and our partners from venture funds, other corporations, accelerators and venture studios, as well as private investors and angels.
Do startups have to pitch in English?
As it is an international competition with international judges and attendees, startups will pitch in English.
What will happen after the Demo Days?
The participants with the most promising projects will be offered the chance to enter into cooperation agreements with the Kaspersky Innovation Hub. The cooperation agreements will be drawn up, negotiated and finalized on a bilateral basis, between each startup and the Kaspersky Innovation Hub.
Still have questions?
If your question isn’t answered here, don’t hesitate to email us at ihub@kaspersky.com
