Explore technological and business partnership with IBM. IBM for Startups is the hub to help you innovate and enhance your solution with IBM AI. Scale and grow your startup by presenting your offering to global enterprises and potential investors, and get expert guidance from industry-leading mentors.
Grow your startup with IBM
Discover how joining the IBM for Startups program (at no cost, no equity) can help you innovate and scale your business with IBM.
EngageEngage with industry leading experts Get technical and business guidance from a global team of experts and mentors.LearnAccelerate innovation with IBM AIAccess technical expertise and guidance, join online sessions and schedule 1x1 technical advisory and consulting meetings.JoinTry IBM tech with free cloud creditsUse free cloud credits to evaluate IBM technology, such as watsonx, and test integrations with your solution on IBM Cloud.Scale Scale globallyPitch your solutions in front of global enterprises and investors and establish long term partnership with IBM and its customers.
Supporters
Our growing community of supporters can help you to scale your startups in the global markets.
Innovation hubs, accelerators and VCs are invited to become part of the IBM for Startups community and benefit from branding, co-marketing, and access to resources. Become an IBM for Startups supporter and offer multiple benefits to your portfolio of startups.Express your interest to become a supporter
Mentors
Help the next generation of entrepreneurs grow and succeed. Share your business or technical expertise and contribute to startups’ success. Join as a mentor for IBM for Startups!Sign up as a mentor
Events
Discover both in-person and virtual events where you can meet with experts and learn about new technologies including IBM’s generative AI platform, watsonx.
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SpaceCom
Build an agentic RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) system with Granite 3.1 LLM on a laptop
LEAP
DeveloperWeek
Build a local AI co-pilot using IBM Granite Code, Ollama, and Continue
Industry in-person event
Industry virtual event
IBM virtual event
IBM in-person event
Ready to accelerate with IBM?
Join IBM for Startups to get started.
Register hereSign up for our events
Frequently asked questions
Sign up for access to resources for IBM for Startups.
IBM for Startups is open to anyone – from students with idea to a mature startup with a software- based solution.
We partner with startups to accelerate innovation with IBM AI and scale startups offering to the global markets. We provide support thru education, mentorship, exposure to enterprises and investors and establishing of technological and business partnership with IBM.
Sign up to join our events and learn more about the innovative startups participating in the program.
No, the program is at no cost, no equity is taken.
IBM for Startups sets up innovation and pitch days where selected startups that partner with IBM get to present their solutions to global enterprises. In addition, you can add your solution to IBM and RedHat marketplaces:
Find partner solutions on Red Hat Marketplace
Get started selling on IBM Cloud® Catalog
Yes, IBM for Startups works closely with IBM Ventures, with external VCs and investors and organizes demo days where selected startups can pitch their offerings.
No, the program is always open and runs with no time restrictions.