Accelerator programme Spark10 ropes in global experts like Jon Bradford and Paul Smith

BENGALURU: Spark10, an accelerator programme for technology startups, has roped in global experts Jon Bradford, the managing director of US-based multi-city accelerator Techstars, and Paul Smith of UK-based Ignite 100 Accelerator as advisors. Spark10's thirteen-week programme which will be officially launched in February will work out of the engineering staff college of India at Hyderabad.

The programme which has received a phased commitment of about Rs 660 crore ( $100 million) from institutional investment firms and individuals will deploy the capital over the next two years. "We plan to expand the accelerator programme in other cities after the first batch graduates," said Atal Malviya, lead founder of Spark10 and founder of social media analytics company, Odimax in London. Spark10 will take up 8 per cent equity stake in the companies undergoing the programme. The programme is among the few in the country which is not funded by a corporate house or academic institution. Former VP of HSBC Vijay Ketan Mitra, Rajesh G and others make up the founding team of Spark10.