CiscoEIR@MassChallenge, a joint incubation program of MassChallenge and Cisco Entrepreneurs in Residence (CiscoEIR), will combine the global reach and support of Cisco with the successful incubation model of MassChallenge. CiscoEIR@MassChallenge will help recognize and support early-stage entrepreneurs in the Boston area focusing on the Internet of Everything and other transformational opportunities strategic to Cisco.

 

Cisco EIR enables early-stage business-to-business startups to build long-term strategic relationships with Cisco and Ciscos global partner ecosystem through programmatic incubation and collaboration. Most importantly, Cisco EIR helps selected startups accelerate their product development and business growth through Cisco executive sponsorship and direct partnership with key Cisco engineering, product and go-to-market teams. The program also offers financial support, potential strategic investment from Cisco, co-working space, software tools and access to Ciscos network of VCs and others in the startup ecosystem. Cisco EIR is expanding these benefits to the Boston area by collaborating with MassChallenge to launch CiscoEIR@MassChallenge.

 

Cisco EIR plays an especially important role in Ciscos strategic push to drive the digitization of countries, cities and enterprises??and catalyze the Internet of Everything market by identifying disruptive technologies early and forging strategic relationships with high-potential startups in innovation hubs such as Boston

 

CiscoEIR@MassChallenge is open to current and alumni startups of MassChallenge working on disruptive ideas in the Internet of Everything/Things (IoT/IoE), Smart Cities, Big Data/analytics, enterprise mobility and security. Cisco EIR and MassChallenge will consider startups for the program through a rigorous multi-phase selection process that evaluates their strategic fit with Cisco, market readiness and potential for future success. The first cohort of startups selected for CiscoEIR@MassChallenge will be announced by early next year.

 

We are thrilled to expand Cisco Entrepreneurs in Residence and our open innovation strategy with the launch of CiscoEIR@MassChallenge, said Tom Yoritaka, managing director of Cisco Entrepreneurs in Residence.

 

Cisco EIR plays an especially important role in Ciscos strategic push to drive the digitization of countries, cities and enterprises??and catalyze the Internet of Everything market by identifying disruptive technologies early and forging strategic relationships with high-potential startups in innovation hubs such as Boston. MassChallenge, with its successful track record of incubating high-caliber startups in Boston and beyond, is an ideal regional partner to extend the reach of Cisco EIR.

 

This partnership with Cisco will add tremendous value to entrepreneurs working in a range of exciting verticals, said MassChallenge Boston Managing Director Scott Bailey. Internet of things, big data, enterprise security??these are all areas where the experts and experience from Cisco can make a huge impact on MassChallenge entrepreneurs.

 

For more information about Cisco EIR, go to eir.cisco.com.