The B2C Future Solutions Program is an excellent opportunity to gain access to Kaspersky’s infrastructure and clients channels of over 400 million users, as well as to launch a joint product with revenue sharing. Kaspersky will compensate the pilot costs up to 10 thousand dollars to potential partners chosen. To facilitate the application process and help to decide whether your company fits the criteria or not, Andrey Nikonov, Head of Startup Engagement at Kaspersky, and the GoTech Innovation team have answered the hottest questions that companies ask when applying.

We are a mature company that has long been on the market, why do we need to participate in the startup program?

The current program is an opportunity for any technology company (not only for startups) to quickly check the business sense of a partnership with Kaspersky, determine the format of cooperation, and agree on a mutually beneficial partnership swifter than through cold contacts with individual entities of Kaspersky. Our search is primarily focused on companies that already have a product and commercial success (sales, customer base, representation in different geographies, etc.).

What products in the Kaspersky ecosystem are you considering cooperating with? 

First of all, this is potential cooperation with products that have high user value. In particular, we are talking about “Kaspersky Secure Cloud” and “Kaspersky Total Security”.

Are you interested in technologies that solve users’ problems in the domains other than the priority areas in the selection? Are you considering any types of B2B products for the program?

If the functionality of the solution meets the description of the segments and the tasks that we set in the search, then it can be potentially considered. A B2B solution should not require any revision on our part to enter the B2C segment. It is most important for us that the partner understands the B2C market, is ready to work in it, and is able to allocate resources. Still, experience has shown that there is hardly a B2B solution that doesn’t require refining the product for the B2C market.

Could you describe in more detail the boundaries and size of the pilot within the program and the next steps after a successful pilot completion? Is the pilot stage obligatory, and is it possible to cooperate without piloting?

Pilots and simulation tests are a must for collaboration. This is important both for Kaspersky and the participant company. Our approach is focused on choosing a partner, finding synergies in product solutions and customer segments, testing demand (simulation and commercial types), and reaching a cooperation agreement (revenue sharing model). Piloting is carried out in the form of simulation LPswith a user value description.

You can apply for participation in the first stage of selection until July 31 on the Program website. Joining the Program, make sure to indicate that you learned about the opportunity from GoTech Innovation.