IBM’s Venture Capital Group is a really interesting cog in the startup machine. It’s not a fund and yet, through it, IBM has managed to invest in a bevy of startups that align with its Smarter Planet initiative.
Smarter Planet is an umbrella concept under which IBM aims to uncover and foster technology that moves society forward in big ways. Think about smarter systems across just about every industry that can lead to things like improved electrical grids, traffic management systems and protection online — to name a few examples.
IBM’s SmartCamps attempt to uncover startups working on these kind of problems. The camps connect VCs, mentors and startups, and then, intriguingly, sits back. IBM’s Venture Capital Group doesn’t invest in startups directly, nor does it actively nurture them. Instead, VCs do the work, and happily too, as selling a company on their roster to IBM, an IBM partner or client is a compelling exit. IBM also invests in VC funds, about 70 around the world.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Can Silicon Valley be repeated in Africa? Ventureburn asks IBM’s Martin Kelly | ventureburn
