Feature - What is it like to be an Esri Startup Partner?

Have you ever wondered, What it’s like to be an Esri Startup Partner? You may be surprised to know that there are well over 200 (I believe I heard the number 230 mentioned recently) Startups that have been invited into the Esri Startup Program. Think of the Program as an incubator for early stage GeoTech savvy startups with qualifying startups receive online services, software, training and support, content, and other opportunities to help them succeed.

We had a chance to meet many of the Startup Companies at the 2015 ESRIUC as a large number of them were exhibiting on the show floor in the Startup Zone, a dedicated area showcasing the companies. Canadian Startup, Antris was on hand and they’ve generously shared details of their experience. Read on for more in this feature contributed by Nafisa Kassam of Antris.

Kaila Beattie (Antris), Jack Dangermond (Esri), and Nafisa Kassam (Antris)

What it’s like to be an Esri Startup Partner – by: Nafisa Kassam

Team Antris just returned from a crazy week of at the Esri User Conference in San Diego. Hosting 18,000+ attendees and 500+ events and workshops, the event is a whirlwind of geo-awesomeness for people around the globe. It is a particularly unique experience for companies like Antris, who participate in the Startups Program.

Antris addresses a unique gap in the safety of work-alone and traveling employees. We joined the Esri Startup Program 2 years ago, which has since sparked product development and client relationships.

The Startups Program is designed to encourage new and innovative applications of GIS. To assist us as an emerging business, Esri provides Antris with free access to software for 3 years, mentoring services, and global partnership opportunities.

The User Conference features a Startup Zone and booths for each company to present their solution and its uses to other Esri clients and fellow geo-geeks. Demoing our product allowed us to one-on-one display our workflow and really hone in how we use GIS to keep our users safe.

Using Esri’s vast network of partners, we were able to connect with key individuals in our verticals of focus: safety for social services and energy services workers. The Startup Program sets foundation to relationships and connections we might not otherwise have had accessed. A highlight of the week was chatting with the one and only Jack Dangermond!

Antris returned as pumped as ever. This past week we were not only introduced to several meaningful connections, but we’ve also established some great mentoring opportunities to take our product to the next level. As a start-up, we’re always looking for ways to improve our product and take Antris one step further – the Esri start-up Program facilitates just that.