The Chinese smartphone company OPPO has made clear its intention to collaborate closely with Indian startups lately. Through the government’s Invest India programme, it is already partnering with a number of them. And the company stated that, as part of the second edition of its OPPO Elevate Program, it will collaborate with Microsoft to train and develop startups that have the ability to bring about the industry’s future significant technical advancement.
For the program, OPPO has devised two categories: “Accessible Technology” and “Digital Health” and firms that fall under these categories are eligible to apply. A panel of specialists, led by Tasleem Arif, Vice President and Head of Research and Development at OPPO India, and Madhurima Agarwal, country head for India at Microsoft for startups, will evaluate their submissions. The judges in India will choose three startups to take part in the Global Innovation Accelerator Program.
OPPO Elevate Program
The top ten globally chosen startups, along with the three from India, will offer their proposals in the 2nd phase of the programme to an international jury in August 2022. They will be granted to a collaborative effort with OPPO for applicable technical discussion as well as access to R & D amenities (labs, spaces, mobile devices) on agreed terms and conditions and schedule.
All participants will be invited to the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, where they can receive up to $150,000 in Azure credits and get help from business and technical experts, including access to developer and maybe even productivity tools. The ten best applications will each get $46,000, as well as investments, technical support, research and business partnerships, and marketing at events around the world. The OPPO Elevate programme was established to help entrepreneurs leverage Oppo’s products and resources, including distribution networks.
Schedule
The OPPO Elevate application deadline is July 10, 2022. Following OPPO’s evaluation, the jury presentation and winning announcement will be on August 5. More details are available at OPPO.com
Commenting on this initiative, Mr Tasleem Arif, Vice President and R&D Head, OPPO India, said,
At OPPO, we believe in developing solutions which brings optimism and inspiration against the challenges and uncertainties, aligned with our brand proposition of Inspiration Ahead. We have been leading virtuous innovation in the country through the years and the elevate program opens doors for the new age innovators to contribute to the same. The OPPO Elevate program has seen momentous success since its inception and with the second edition, we aim to build the innovation in health and accessibility and highlight Indian innovation on a global platform.
Madhurima Agarwal, Country Head – Microsoft for Startups, India said,
Startups are reimagining both widening and deepening of tech impact through their innovations in the areas of accessibility and healthcare. The collaboration between OPPO India and Microsoft for Startups extends our commitment to boost the innovation and entrepreneurial energy of startups in the country. Through this program, we hope to help startups truly scale the impact of digital innovation with the combined resources of both organizations.