Japan-headquartered telecommunications and internet group SoftBank has launched the second round of SoftBank Innovation Program, the initiative where it looks to combine technology developed by startups with its own resources.
SoftBank Innovation Program involves early-stage technology developers applying to partner SoftBank in order to develop prototype versions of their systems.
The corporate will fund development of a prototype using its resources and in test marketing, and will consider aiding successful applicants with commercialisation. It will not however invest in startups through the initiative.
The scheme covers six categories: smart homes, connected vehicles, healthcare, financial technologies, virtual, augmented and mixed reality, and drones. It will be overseen by SoftBank Corp, the group division that provides internet connection, and mobile and fixed-line communication services to Japanese customers.
Startups can apply for the scheme until the end of September 2016.