Startup companies in China will get to play with masked eBay data to spur innovation in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Big Data. (Here’s what masked data refers according to TechTarget.com.) eBay’s China Center of Excellence is designed to “further cement eBay’s position as an innovative leader in the ecommerce industry” and will provide startups with technical mentoring, financial and marketing services.
Press release follows:
Modeled after a similar program in the US, the eBay Torch big data innovation center will provide startups with mentoring, office space and masked eBay data.
eBay’s China Center of Excellence (CCOE) launched the eBay·Torch big data innovation center to encourage startups that embrace technical innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data and the eCommerce space. Partnering with Shanghai’s ZhangJiang Torch Investment group, this innovation and incubation center will provide select startups with technical mentoring, financial and marketing service to help them thrive and scale-up. The center will also serve as a channel for international technical exchanges. Additionally, with the assistance of Big Data Lab in Israel, this center will give the startups an opportunity to access masked eBay data for the first time.
Vivian Tian, General Manager of CCOE, is a key initiator of the project which she hopes will not only foster local talent, but further cement eBay’s position as an innovative leader in the ecommerce industry. “With the joint efforts of hundreds of engineers in CCOE and the strong synergy from eBay Big Data Lab in Israel we’re committed to cultivating an industrial ecosystem within big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other emerging industries to drive the concept of ‘technology for a better world’,” said Vivian.
CCOE will help foster technology innovation and accelerate the growth of registered startups. The startups will be given free office space, access to operation facilities and, more importantly, technical mentorship from experts of AI, Big Data and Cloud. Masked data that eBay has accumulated over the past decade will be shared freely, giving the chosen enterprises unprecedented access. Their staff will be able to enroll in the CCOE Talent University where hi-tech specialists can cultivate their business management skills and be encouraged to adopt an entrepreneurial spirit.
SOURCE: eBay Press Release
