SAP.iO, SAP’s specialized business unit, has a primary goal: to facilitate collaboration with emerging, future-ready startups. This cooperation also extends to providing these startups with access to SAP’s innovative technology, mentorship, and expansive customer network. Over recent years, SAP.iO’s imprint on the Asia-Pacific and Japan has deepened, fostering an environment of tech-driven growth and innovation.

The unveiling of SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo marks SAP’s deepening commitment to nurturing the entrepreneurial landscape within Asia, demonstrating a profound shift in enterprise management. Hirofumi Suzuki, SAP Japan’s President and Representative Director, stressed the importance of enterprises adapting to today’s swiftly evolving market environment.

“In the drastically changing market environment, SAP supports companies to become agile and intelligent sustainable enterprises that leverage the latest technology and allow employees to focus on higher value-added tasks and realize sustainable management. To realize this, we focus on expanding our important partner ecosystem including innovative startups. This program will encourage our customers to utilize a variety of new solutions or technologies with SAP systems brought by cutting-edge startups,” Suzuki further highlighted.

Fostering Future Innovation: SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo’s Startup Assemblage

To realize this ambitious vision, SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo has curated a group of five high-potential startups from diverse industries. Their mission is to revolutionize and integrate with solutions across the extensive SAP portfolio. These startups will also have the opportunity over the next four months to receive comprehensive mentorship from experienced SAP executives, immerse in SAP’s technology and APIs, and collaborate with SAP’s global customers.

The selected startups forming the Intelligent Sustainable Enterprise cohort at SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo include:

1. ALGO ARTIS: A technology startup specializing in developing AI-driven solutions to streamline intricate operational tasks. The ability to optimize complex operations in a single click, thanks to their AI solution, will also undoubtedly transform the way businesses approach task management.
2. Inspiration Plus: A firm creating digital platforms aimed at improving disaster prevention efforts. Its advanced technology also empowers local governments and corporations with improved preparation and management tools for potential disasters, leading to robust business continuity plans.
3. Milk.: This startup stands at the forefront of industrial inspection software solutions. It offers AI-empowered hyperspectral technology, transforming traditional manufacturing procedures for industrial customers, increasing both efficiency and quality assurance.
4. primeNumber Inc.: This innovative startup is focused on enhancing the process of data utilization. By creating an environment conducive to quick and efficient data use, they streamline data-driven processes and boost productivity across a wide array of industries.
5. SMITH&VISION: Utilizing image recognition technology, this startup has developed a system to automatically capture information from packages, paving the way for a more modern, efficient logistics industry.

SAP’s foray into Tokyo’s B2B startup scene through SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo is set to produce a wave of innovation. Additionally, It aims to mentor these startups into becoming intelligent, sustainable enterprises.

By integrating these forward-thinking startups into their vast customer base, SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo is all set to redefine the landscape of B2B operations in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Moreover, this pioneering initiative underpins SAP’s commitment to driving a new era of sustainable business growth and intelligent operations worldwide.

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The SAP.iO Foundries are SAP’s global network of top-tier startup programs, including accelerators that enable startups to build innovative software that delivers value for SAP customers. The month of October opened with three SAP Foundries launching accelerator programs in Tokyo, San Francisco, and Berlin. Each Foundry focused on various business niche including consumer products, human resources, and data and analytics. 

SAP.iO is an open innovation model and a zero-equity-ask program that enables visionary startups to use the power of SAP data, application programming interfaces (APIs), platform technologies, and new business models. SAP aims to help at least 200 startups around the world, committing 40{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} of the investible capital in the SAP.iO Fund and bringing the SAP.iO Foundries program to scale with a focus on inclusive entrepreneurship. In 2019, SAP has accelerated 81 startups across 8 SAP.iO Foundries, including four new SAP.iO Foundries in EMEA and Asia. 

Tokyo Accelerator Program Kick-Off

For SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo, its first accelerator program focused on B2B technologies for consumer products. The selected early-stage startups are from the retail, consumer goods, and distribution industries.

Hirofumi Suzuki, SAP Japan President and Representative Director stated:

“COVID-19 has led consumers to adopt new habits and behaviors, which will continue in the long term. This program will allow us to offer our customers new digital technologies to connect with consumers.”

The chosen SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo startups will undergo a 13-week virtual program wherein they will have access to curated mentorship and exposure to SAP technology and APIs as well as collaboration opportunities with SAP customers.

Below are the startups for the SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo Fall 2020 program:

• ChatBook is a sales acceleration intelligence provider for marketing, inside sales, and sales teams. It provides marketing automation solutions to generate leads and deliver personalised experiences across the entire customer journey through instant communications platforms. Founded in 2016, Tokyo-based ChatBook is comprised of an international and multi-cultural team of entrepreneurs, designers, and developers.

• True Data provides Big Data marketing services and advanced analysis technology at scale by integrating the gender, behavior, and other ID data with product-trend point-of-sale data.

• Vox Japan takes pride in its next-generation smart delivery unit poised as an ultimate last-mile logistics platform. It provides a connected reusable boxing service with remotely operated smart delivery carts that authenticate and track delivery and pickup information by smartphone. 

Other SAP.iO Foundry Launches

Around the same time as the SAP.iO Foundry Tokyo Fall 2020 program launch, SAP.iO Foundry San Francisco and SAP.iO Foundry Berlin startup accelerator programs have also commenced.

SAP.iO Foundry San Francisco’s virtual accelerator program focused on HR technology and the future of work in conjunction with SAP SuccessFactors solutions. The selected six early-stage HR technology startups are focused on recruiting, talent and team management, well-being, and collaborative learning for human resources. The culmination of the program will be at the SAP.iO Cohort Demo Day in December 2020. 

The SAP.iO Foundry San Francisco cohort includes Cloverleaf, Crosschq, Cuéntame, Knockri, Landit, and Mathison,

SAP.iO Foundry Berlin launched its first accelerator program focused on data and analytics involving seven startups. The seven will participate in the virtual fall cohort held in collaboration with the SAP HANA and Analytics team focusing on the unique opportunities of data and analytics’ B2B technologies.

The SAP.iO Foundry Berlin cohort includes C2RO i,  datazeit, Teamcore, nwo.ai, Stylumia, Ubermetrics’, and ZEPL.

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Two factors can push the adoption of artificial intelligence: a strong tech startup story and IT prowess. The good news is that India has both.

Economic Times shared how its Leadership Council in India (ETILC) rated India’s advantage as a market leader for IT services.

The ETILC said:

“We believe India has a major advantage over other countries due to its vibrant tech-related startup ecosystem, strong IT services, and an offshoring industry, to harness the power of AI.”

The ETILC consists of the members who are upper management leaders from companies such as Kuliza Technologies, SAP Labs India, NextGen, NEC Technologies, Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic, and GreyMatter Software Services.

There are specific requirements for AI and machine learning algorithms for it to be able to run on big data. At present, Indian companies are requiring technology that can digitise and store data. Industries are continuously adopting this infrastructure. There is also an increasing surge in investor interest. According to YS Research, 2019 can end and be referred to as the year of a B2B unicorn.

Funding for tech startups in India the H1 of 2019 alone was already up by 9{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} YoY to $4.9 billion when the average deal size is usually $12.8 million YoY with 381 total number of deals. Some large-scale tech companies have also started to set up accelerators or incubators to help startups. An example of this is the SAP Startup Studio.

India has the third-largest startup economy next to China and the USA. The country boasts of its capacity to potentially build the world’s best process automation and BPO AI applications.

In preparation for the upcoming digitalisation era, India is actively skilling and reskilling its workforce; however, one of the things that still need to be addressed is the hesitation to embrace technology because of fear of job losses. This is where the US’ preparation for policy responses may have to step in.

At present, the IT/ITeS industry is spearheading the initiatives for skilling and reskilling the young workforce. For example, Nasscom’s FutureSkills is contributing to the initiative by delivering live sessions on technologies. And everyone’s goal was to make India the center for digital talents.

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Udaan Logisure’s experience is evidence that the startup ecosystem has never had it better. There are thousands of startups in India that are being assisted and nurtured by homegrown, multinational companies such as Accenture Ventures, Bharti Airtel, Google, Microsoft, Oracle, Reliance Industries and SAP to name a few. These companies have provided mentorships and acquihired the startups for their domain expertise.

SAP Startup Studio is a 75-seat accelerator programme that nurtures early-stage startups located in Bengaluru’s SAP Labs India campus. At present, the accelerator programme incubates ten startups.

Sindhu Gangadharan, SAP Labs India’s senior vice president and MD, said:

“To support employees who want to pursue their entrepreneurial desires, SAP Labs offers an entrepreneurship sabbatical.”

Other companies have also put up initiatives worldwide that aims to support startups. For example, Microsoft has ScaleUp programme which focuses on Seed or Series A funded B2B and select B2C tech-enabled startups. Another example is software-as-a-service major, Zoho, which engaged itself with startups in India and launched ‘Zoho for Startups’ which is associated with more than 35 startup bodies in India.

K.S. Viswanathan, industry body Nasscom’s vice president and industry initiatives, reported that the corporate accelerator and incubator programmes in India are increasing at an average rate of 37{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} to 40{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} per annum.

Viswanathan said:

“Corporate accelerators leverage the innovation that is available in the ecosystem. Not all innovation necessarily needs to take place within the enterprise.”

VC firm Chiratae Ventures India Advisors’ founder and chairman, Sudhir Sethi, believes that more startup accelerator programmes are needed.

He said:

“The places that can mentor and help a new company start, whether it is from a corporate or educational institution or by a venture investor are all needed.”

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SAP Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) President Scott Russell shared in a recent interview with CNBC his insights on how SAP helps startups take off through the ERP Software giant’s accelerator programs.

Russell explained how the accelerator programs provide startups opportunities for openness in all aspects. He said:

“Particularly, in technology, it means that the platform can be applied in many different ways so you’re not using propriety technology. In fact, you’re using open technology in connecting to companies like SAP.”

He expressed that SAP provides its customers with the best-choice application that they can extend or connect, either in the cloud or on-premise.

How SAP helps

Connecting to the SAP Ecosystem

Russell said that the massive 46,000 SAP Asia customers give startups the advantage of connecting to SAP and an unparalleled opportunity to be part of the German tech company’s ecosystem while attracting their own customers as well.

More wiggle room for R&D

Having saved from investing in software through the open-source technology that SAP provides, startups can utilize a portion of its capital on planning for R&D.

“In planning the R&D and also when they go to market, it’s all about attracting the right customers, giving those firsts, making sure that its successful, said Russell.

Building powerful companies

He emphasized that working with SAP gives customers the end-to-end choice and a better platform to solve their needs. According to him, SAP’s technology combined with the startups’ becomes a really powerful combination for companies across the world.

What’s on demand

AI is emerging

The SAP APJ President confirmed that AI is an emerging trend that entrepreneurs look into as demonstrated in the startups in the Foundry. In Japan and Singapore, the startups are leveraging AI and Machine learning.

Female-led enterprises

Russell shared:

“And the other thing that we are really proud of, which is quite interesting in Asia, is that 40{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} of their startups are being led by female entrepreneurs, really dynamic leaders.”

He added that SAP is embracing a diverse ecosystem of Start-ups, which is a reflection of SAP’s advocacy on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Focusing on the Experience Economy

Russell stressed that the goal of SAP is to meet the Experience Economy through the combination of machine learning, AI and the enterprise scout technology.

“So it’s not just about solving a problem but it’s about enhancing somebody’s experience, whether be a consumer or an employee, brand or a product. The experiences are so important and that’s where these technologies can really help,” the SAP leader said.

5G helps

When CNBC asked if 5G helps or hinders the process, Russell is quick to say that “no doubt” it helps by providing startups access to the next generation technology.

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The program, which operates out of the SAP Labs India campus in Whitefield, Bengaluru, began with 75 seats in its first year. Startups from the inaugural intake have used the program as a springboard, with Sellerworx, an ecommerce technology solutions and services firm, being acquired by Capillary Technologies, and Ecolibrium Energy, a provider of energy management solutions, being onboard into the Co-Innovation Labs (COIL) program at SAP.

“It has been an exciting and eventful year for the first batch of startups at the SAP Startup Studio. Our startup accelerator program has seen tremendous success, and we are eager to welcome the second cohort of startups joining us this month,” said Dilipkumar Khandelwal, managing director, SAP Labs India and executive vice president, enterprise cloud services, SAP SE. “By combining our technological expertise with our passion for startups, we are setting the foundation for the next big innovation to come from this part of the world.”

For the second round, the SAP Startup Studio received over 700 applications; 51 startups were chosen for the final round of interviews, from which the final 16 were chosen for the program.

The new intake of startups are working on technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud, machine learning and Internet of Things across various business functions.

Last week SAP Labs India also hosted its SAP Startup Social event, with over 30 venture capital companies and 250 startups attending. The event was also a platform for 20 curated startups to pitch their ideas to 20 top venture capitalists.

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What’s at stake for the winner is a three-month in-kind contribution worth US$30,000 to support the development of their proposed new business.

Preliminary contests will be held at 10 locations in nine countries – Tokyo, San Francisco, London, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Madrid, Barcelona, Singapore, Beijing and Sao Paulo – with the winners invited to the Grand Finale in Tokyo.

“Our biannual contest to promote collaborations with startup companies worldwide is one of many initiatives on which NTT DATA will capitalise in hopes of surpassing 10 billion yen in annual business by 2020,” said Koutaro Zanma, head of open innovation and business incubation business strategy department, NTT DATA. “We want to help solve key issues in global society by combining knowledge, technologies and networks both inside and outside of our company.”

NTT DATA has previously held its Open Innovation Business Contest in Japan, and has now decided to expand the competition to other host cities globally. As the result of previous competitions, Money Forward, Freee and NTT DATA developed a fintech service for internet banking that was commercialised in February 2016, while Sassor and NTT are working towards an energy management initiative that is expected to provide energy consumption analysis as an IoT service.

The Open Innovation Business Contest is open to any startup firm worldwide until 19 December 2016, with applications open online at http://oi.nttdata.com/en/contest.

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The program will identify five social enterprise startups and provide training, mentorship and access to networks to accelerate their growth. During the four months of the program, the startups will receive access to business, academic mentors and subject experts through the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at ISB and SAP.

“Our objective is to create investible and growth-oriented social enterprises that would address unmet social needs and create significant employment opportunities,” said Dilipkumar Khandelwal, managing director, SAP Labs India and EVP, enterprise cloud service, SAP SE. “We will provide mentorship and connects to technology experts to speed up the growth of the social enterprises.”

It is also SAP’s aim to expand its thought leadership position to a wider segment of the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

On the new initiative, Rajendra Srivastava, ISB Dean and Novartis professor of marketing strategy and innovation said, “Entrepreneurship is core to ISB’s DNA and our focus on engendering a spirit of entrepreneurship among our students is showing success. We are now extending this spirit of enterprise beyond our students to help startups in the social enterprise space by leveraging our partnerships and the startup ecosystem at ISB.”

Early stage social entrepreneurs will be invited to apply for the program, with two people from each social enterprise chosen to undertake two residency modules at ISB and a boot camp. During the program, the social social enterprises will have the opportunity to present their business plans to venture capitalists and angel investors to raise funds.

SAP has recently announced startup incubation programs at IIT-Bombay, at the SAP Labs campus in Bangalore, and at the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship at IIM-Ahmedabad.

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