Ingram Micro Kicks Off Comet Competition

The global challenge to find the best ISV software and bring it to market is officially underway. The distributor first mentioned the Comet Competition. last month at Ingram Micro One.

Ingram Micro is focused on finding the next business-to-business (B2B) software innovators whose products are purpose-built for the channel. The distributor is funding the Comet Challenge, while MassChallenge, a global innovation ecosystem, handles the deployment. 

“Our goal is to always be at the leading edge of technology, and ISVs are the foundation of the digital economy,” says Nimesh Davé, executive vice president, Ingram Micro Cloud. “By partnering with MassChallenge, the most startup-friendly accelerator in the industry, we are able to offer ISVs worldwide the opportunity to compete to take their business mainstream as part of our ISV initiative and our … Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace.”

Nimesh Davé

Nimesh Davé

How it works? 

ISV applicants will be evaluated on a number of criteria, including future vision, potential in the channel, and ecosystem readiness. Winners will be selected by a group of distinguished engineers, executives and industry influencers. All entrants receive expert feedback. 

The Comet Competition will award 12 ISVs through competition in Boston; Austin, Texas; and Tel Aviv, with cash and go-to-market funds totaling more than $1.5 million. Help with the adoption of these offers comes through Ingram Micro’s Cloud Marketplace, which reaches partners and customers in more than 50 global markets, including China. 

Each region will name one winner and three runners-up. Three winners each receive $100,000 cash and $200,000 in-kind go-to-market funding. Nine runners-up will each get $75,000 in funding.

“We are thrilled to partner with Ingram Micro to identify and reward the most-promising B2B startups around the world,” said John Harthorne, founder and CEO, of MassChallenge. “Leveraging our proven community-driven approach, the Comet Competition offers an incredible opportunity for startups to scale their growth with a forward-thinking partner in Ingram Micro.”  

Ingram Micro Cloud Summit 2019 attendees will meet the Comet Competition winners, who will showcase their products at the event, March 11-13, 2019, in San Diego.

Eligibility requirements: B2B technology startups can be from anywhere in the world; are ready to make an impact on their industry; and have generated less than $10 million in revenue in the last year.

Apply for the Comet Competition prior to the Dec. 4 deadline.