Bangkok--19 Feb--AIS
AIS UPSCALES THE STARUP STANDARDCONTINUING “3RD AIS THE STARTUP”SEARCHING INCUBATED CONTENT PARTNERSREADY TO OFFER GREAT SERVICE TO REAL MARKET
AIS raises the standard of Startup, providing business opportunity for new generations, unveiling “AIS The StartUp 2014” for 3rd consecutive year, enhancing degree of supports, redefining competition, searching iCP (Incubated Content Partner) for Digital Partnership with AIS, inviting thinkers, creators and SMEs entrepreneurs having products on hand ready to commercialize, to submit works for contest in 3 categories including Online/Digital Content, Corporate Solution and Social Business, further developed for market launching under full supports from AIS and its Thai and International Partners accessing to customer base of over 500 million in the region, totaling prizes of 39 million Baht.
Mr. Pratthana Leelapanang, Senior Vice President - Digital Product and Services of AIS, disclosed “AIS initiated the Startup Group in Thailand, in view of potentials and powers of new generation in creating digital innovation, playing a key role in driving IT industry. Having earned significant achievement for the past 2 years, the project “AIS The StartUp” introduced new digital entrepreneurs such as ShopSpot, Noonswoon, the Trip Packer, Buzzebes and the FOURLEAF offering applications and services to mobile phone users. The project becomes the role model for other organizations in developing the Startup group in a wider range.
Today the Startup trend populates worldwide. In Thailand, the evolution of Startup has evolved from initial stage to growth period. This year the project “AIS The StartUp 2014” with the theme “Growing with Partnership” intends to enhance supports to next level, targeting at the group of thinkers, developers and SMEs entrepreneurs having products or works ready to extend for real business in the market, sponsored by AIS and partners with total prizes of 39 million Baht in value. The highlight is concept iCP or Incubated Content Partner, the Content Partner robustly groomed by AIS and formulated by Business Model designed specifically for the Startup group, coupled with supports from Regional Seed Network (RSN), the alliance network of SingTel, established to roll out the Startup in the regional level.”
Mr. Pairoj Waiwanijchakij, Vice President - Value Added Services of AIS, said “In line with digital content consumption trend, expanding variety beyond Mobile Application towards Solution that serves the needs and solves problems for different target groups, AIS The StartUp 2014 therefore renders opportunity to the Startup groups featuring more basic variety, stretching competition to 3 categories including;
1. Online and Digital Content occupying Mass Customer market and requiring clear business model such as Mobile App, Digital Content operated by digital device such as computer and communication equipment
2. Corporate Solution supporting and managing organization with efficiency, targeting at Enterprise customers
3. Social Business engaging products or services and major target related to social contribution with business model tailored to reinvest profit in developing society or solving social problems in any form.”
Interested person(s) may submit video presentation with maximum length of 3 minutes presenting business idea, business operation plan, use process, income generating, target group and benefit for AIS customers. Visit www.ais.co.th/thestartup2014 to complete the application, attaching URL of VDO, from today to March 23, 2014. Applications from Thai or foreign individual or company are accepted. More than 1 work can be submitted. The result of works qualified for Final Presentation round will be announced on March 29, 2014 for the presentation in front of the Committee during 8th – 10th of March, 2014. The winner announcement and awarding will be made on April 21, 2014.
Besides cash prize and business supporting tools, the Startup will be granted with opportunity to do business with AIS. Totaling 39 million Baht in value, awards and privileges for winner from each category include development fund of 200,000 Baht, joining iCP team to develop products for real market with AIS with exemption of admission fee, guaranteed minimum revenue and marketing media worth 1,000,000 Baht and support packages from partners such as privilege from National Innovation Agency to consider innovation project funding, investment consultancy from Golden Gate Ventures, Expara, Microsoft Bizspark and Windows Azure, USD 600,000 credit for first year and 50% discount for the 2nd year from Amazon Web Service (AWS), USD 3,000 credit for office space for 3 months from HUBBA and special discount for office space from Launchpad. The winner of Social Business category, in particular, will earn exclusivity for product development support from Change Fusion. Moreover, Kasikorn Bank will select one piece of work to participate in the project “SME Mee Tang Yer.”
Every team passing the competition to present in front of the Committee receives Business Development training for AIS, free admission fee for K-SME Debit Card service, service and transaction fee waiver on main K-SME account and Investment Presentation training from Expara.
“AIS receives great cooperation and supports from Government Agencies and Business Partners including Invent, KBank, MCFIVA, Golden Gate Ventures, Expara, SIPA, SOFTWARE PARK, National Innovation Agency, Thailand Social Enterprise, Change Fusion and online/digital content Partners in the Startup arena to ensure solid formation of the Startup community in Thailand.
AIS believes that “AIS The StartUp 2014 Growing with Partnership” will pursue the Startup path that provides new opportunities and fuels the growth for Mobile and Digital Content Industry relevant to consumer demand in the 3G period where DATA use experiences exponential increase as well as directing partnership with App developers or SMEs entrepreneurs. It is confirmed that AIS is ready to support and sponsor with technology, marketing strategy and technique, channel to access AIS customer base of 41 million at present and promote to reach regional customers through SingTel Group with aggregate 500 million customers accordingly.” Pratthana concludes.