A partnership between Singtel, Orange, Deutsche Telekom and Telefónica will bridge global start-up ecosystems.
The innovation arms of the companies, Singtel Innov8, Orange Fab, hub:raum and Telefónica Open Future, will aim to catalyse the growth of eligible start-ups and launch them beyond their home markets.
The telecoms companies will provide access to their resources and networks, including market insights, introductions to partners, the use of co-working spaces and access to their operating businesses.
Some selected start-ups may also gain access to the operators’ collective mobile customer base, which spans over one billion consumers.
The partnership benefits will be available to any start-ups supported individually by the companies and members of Innov8 Sparks, a network of funding initiatives across Southeast Asia.
Ms Nathalie Boulanger, Start-up Ecosystem Director, Orange said: "Having built up extensive experience of working hand-in-glove with start-ups across the world, Orange sees the formation of global partnerships such as this as the critical next step to ensure that digital innovators continue to flourish.
"With our collective and complementary footprints spanning four continents, we can provide start-ups with access to new markets, thereby enabling them to accelerate their growth further."
Mr Min-Kin Mak, VP, hub:raum, Deutsche Telekom said: "With the partnership between Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Singtel and Telefónica, we see a huge opportunity to develop the bridges between the ecosystems in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America and to provide start-ups with critical market access, funding and expertise to become more successful with their international expansion."
