Are Entrepreneurs Happier? Yes! Intrapreneurs too? Yes!
I was flying back from our announcement in San Francisco to provide Start-ups help from IBM to grow and innovate and reading a new book from HBS. In the book, I read that that those working in organizations of less than 1000 employees are 25% happier (this is per the research from the Zappos "Delivering Happiness at Work") and entrepreneurs that happiest of ALL!!! And yes that does include "intrapreneurs" -- a great one for me -- an Intrapreneur at IBM!
How great since we were just with a set of great start-ups and entrepreneurs! As a recap, we have been building on our partnership with thousands of start-ups. Last month we launched of Digital.nyc with the City of New York and Gust.
Yesterday, we launched the IBM Global Entrepreneur Program for Cloud Startups: unmatched in the industry and providing streamlined ways for your start-up to access the IBM Cloud! We are the first to assist you, as a visionary entrepreneur, assistance on all needed levels. To assist with the experimentation and development of world class products, we are offering up to $120K of Cloud credits. In addition, 43 local Innovation Centers and 2 Bluemix Garages provide world class technical assistance and training.
This program also included support of a big area we know is critical for start-ups -- go-to-market (GTM)! We have listened to our entrepreneurs all over the world and are pleased to announce two very unique offerings. First, connection to enterprise clients. During InterConnect 2015 we will host 'CIO meet the entrepreneur' events and will host meetups and get-togethers locally and globally to make these connections. We are also establishing a GTM Advisory Council to provide assistance and advice on all things entrepreneurial. Building on the world-renowned SmartCamps, business and marketing mentoring is an incredible benefit to entrepreneurs.
In summary, IBM's new Global Entrepreneur for Cloud Startups includes the following 4 benefits:
1. Up to $120K of free IBM Cloud services
2. Technical support from Innovation Centers and Garages all over the world
3. Linkage to Enterprise Clients
4. GTM and business mentoring through SmartCamps and a GTM advisory board
