GSF, CISCO Investments launch new accelerator programme for start-ups

Rajesh Sawhney founded start-up accelerator Global Super Angels or GSF has launched a new accelerator focused on start-ups working in Internet of Things and cloud technology areas. The GSF Accelerator, since its launch in 2012 has accelerated and funded 33 start-ups in three batches.

The new accelerator programme will run in partnership with CISCO Investments, the corporate investment arm of CISCO, and will be based in Bangalore.

The programme, which will start from March, will select five shortlisted start-ups and run for 16 weeks including a four-week visit to the Silicon Valley. Each of the start-ups will get $45,000 in funding from GSF and CISCO Investments.

Throughout its two-year stint, GSF has dabbled in specialised technology areas that see startup activity. These are digital media and advertising technologies as well as mobile first technologies.

In the last two years, Indian start-ups have seen several accelerators launching with a focus on specific technologies. For example, big data-focused accelerator 'The Hive', which was launched by Amit and Arihant Patni from the Patni family; or HealthStart, which was launched in February 2013 for start-ups in the healthcare space. Last year, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad had also launched DLabs, a design-led accelerator focussed on healthcare.