Microsoft BizSpark - Business Enablement Program - Where Are The Developers In Singapore??? - Site Home

A year after we launched Microsoft BizSpark here in Singapore, we have grown close to 270 startups (starting with 12!) and 30+ Network Partners. This is a testament to the value of the program to entrepreneurship in general. More than just a program that provides access to Microsoft software and tools, BizSpark enables startups to leverage on these tools/software by running free hands on labs to speed up and up-level their technical skills.

Now we do realize that technical capability can only take a company so far. Coming from a company known for software, this might be a bit surprising to many people. But through BizSpark, we are invested to speed up a company's success, not just in their technological endeavors.

Let's say an average technical Joe wants to build his own company. He starts off with a small prototype, eventually building it up to technical masterpiece that looks to be a sure hit. No one's built that kind of sophisticated application before, so he must be on to something. He gets some sizeable amount of funding, surrounds himself with mentors, and eventually releases it into the wild. And for some unknown reason (even to his investors), that sophisticated piece of software just doesn't resonate with his target audience. In other words, it doesn't sell.

Now that's an oversimplification of a scenario which we unfortunately hear too often. There is no silver bullet to making a startup successful, but having a correct and systematical framework to get you started on the right track would certainly help. No I'm not referring to the technical aspects of your software, but rather having a business mindset to help you identify your market, obtain the proper resources, and sustain a growing business.

And this is how we came up with the Business Enablement Program. If I were to define it Twitter style, it's all about "teaching the geek to sell." We have partnered with well-connected VCs, consultants, and government agencies (Upstream Ventures, A2 Partners, SPRING, IDA) and rolled out a 2-day workshop that would address this. Pulling a description of the workshop:

For CEO's and founders starting a new business or, for seasoned entrepreneurs who have dealt with the high's and low's of building a company, these workshops will inspire you to relook at your core business model and arm you with tangible tools and methodologies to address the major challenges all CEO faces today - How to build your Team and Board, Creating your Brand and Offerings, Deciding on Technology, Developing your strategy, Obtaining the right funding at the right time, Finding strategic Partners, How to build your client base and How to ensure business growth and expansion even in tough times

The objective of the 2 day Workshop is to enable CEO's/Founders of Singaporean companies to:

Learn a structured and focused approach to evaluating, building, & adding value to any company;
Have business and people methodologies and tools to create a well balanced company ;
Lay the foundation for a solid business plan and successful growth to transition through the infamous "valley of death".

Now before you dismiss this as another "training" of sorts, do note that the BEP was designed to handhold these startups even after the workshop. That means through our partnerships with the investors, government agencies, and customers, we will handpick and guide these startups for another whole year, just to make sure they are on the right track and are getting the right funding, and mentors at the right time. The partnerships are very crucial because they themselves went through that same training. So if a startup going through the BEP pitches to say SPRING or IDA, they would be pressing the right buttons because they will be talking the same language, laid out by the BEP.

We ran a pilot of the BEP last December 5 and December 12 to 25 startups (out of the 270 from the BizSpark pool) and I would happily report that it is a resounding success. Quoting some of the participants -

"By partnering with the various industrial partners, Microsoft has taken a very positive step in the right direction. The amount of effort put in is tremendous and we greatly appreciate that!"

"This is definitely a 2 thumbs up program initiated by Microsoft. This has totally changed the Microsoft with a general image of money sucking company to a helpful and synergy building company."

"I signed up the workshop with an objective to improve my business plan. I did not realize that I am empowered with skills not only to run the company, but to also lead the people in the company!"

These are just some of many positive feedback from the participants. We will launch next year and hopefully give all our BizSpark startups the necessary tools and skills, not just technically, but also in running and leading a company as a complete business.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy:

The Andrews in action!

The Andrews in action