Microsoft Branching Out
Software giant, Microsoft, has developed a startup accelerator program for its partner companies that will provide them with special access to its internal resources. The program is designed to support software development and assist market visibility, and is a way for Microsoft to help itself, by helping the companies that build on the platform. Some of the services offered through the program include technical and marketing resources, software development engagement plans, and custom accessibility within Microsoft.
Microsoft has offered this program to companies it identifies as "high potential software startups" ? who corporate vice president of Microsoft`s strategic and emerging business development, Dan'l Lewin, classifies as "innovative, compelling, disruptive, and potentially strategic to Microsoft." So far, 20 startup companies have been selected as part of their new program, and span over 15 different countries across the world. Some of the companies include the video advertising network "YuMe", online tutoring program "Tutor.com", online ad insertion company "Kiptronic", the social networking service "Wallop Technologies", and the widely successful customer relationship management software (CRM), "Entellium".
Microsoft`s program is quite similar to the "Startup incubator Program" launched by salesforce.com in April 2007. Under this plan, partner companies wold pay a sum of US$20,000 to maintain an office that would have customized access to the resources and technologies offered by salesforce.com. The main difference between this plan and Microsoft's is the choice of partner companies ? Microsoft has a much broader approach as to what they view as beneficial, where as salesforce.com was nterested in only business applications.
This exclusive new service is being viewed as the best option for startup companies looking for quick success, and many companies have already expressed strong interest in what can only be another genius development of Microsoft.
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