Counterfeits-fighter Sproxil is among the start-up companies working with IBM as part of the White House-led Startup America campaign. The campaign is a private-sector alliance intended to boost the development of high-growth U.S. companies.
IBM is investing $150 million in the entrepreneurial program this year. The funds will be used to mentor U.S. start-ups and provide business opportunities to software developers who collaborate on emerging technologies.
Sproxil, which launched its cellphone-based technology for drug authentication in Nigeria a year ago, currently uses the IBM cloud in selected markets. The export services company maintains a focus on the developing world while creating jobs in the U.S.
The two companies are discussing "specific joint sales and marketing programs including ones targeted at pharma and life sciences customers," says Alden Zecha, CFO at Sproxil, in an email. The pair is integrating IBM analytics offerings with Sproxil's market intelligence offering to generate market data for pharma customers.
- here's the White House Startup America announcement
- see the IBM announcement