Microsoft Switzerland organized Microsoft WebsiteSpark launch event at Microsoft Switzerland office in Wallisellen last Thursday evening 24th September 2009 parallel to the world-wide launch. The event was hosted together with Swiss WebsiteSpark Network Partner IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen, and Swiss WebsiteSpark Hosting Partners MIT-GROUP and netrics hosting.
Microsoft WebsiteSpark is a new global program designed to ignite success of the smallish Web Developers and Designers. WebsiteSpark continues success of the Microsoft BizSpark program that has been supporting already over 170 Swiss Startup companies since its launch in November 2008.
The core value proposition of the Microsoft WebsiteSpark program is to provide visibility, support and software for Web Developers and Designers:
· WebsiteSpark provides Web Developers and Designers with opportunities to drive new business and expand their customer base via channels like WebsiteSpark Marketplace.
· WebsiteSpark provides Web Developers and Designers with technical support and training to assist with development expertise.
· WebsiteSpark provides Web Developers and Designers with easy access to Microsoft Web design and development software and solutions, production and deployment licenses, as well as discounted hosting services of the Hosting Partners.
To be able to join the Microsoft WebsiteSpark, a company has to be a Web Developer or Web Designer whose primary business is to provide Web development and design services for its customers. In addition, the company has to have less than 10 employees (including owners, employees and contractors) and has to be willing to develop and deploy at least one new Web site using Microsoft tools and servers within six months after enrollment.
Participation to Microsoft WebsiteSpark lasts as long as three years from the date of enrollment, unless the company chooses to exit the program earlier. There is no upfront cost to join WebsiteSpark or receive its benefits; a nominal fee of USD 100 is collected on exit from the program.
At the Swiss launch event, audience had a pleasure to hear following speeches:
- Microsoft Partner-Ecosystem in der Schweiz / Peter Waser, Country General Manager, Microsoft Schweiz
- routeRANK …and how to get there / Dr. Jochen Mundinger, Chairman, routeRANK
- Überblick über das Microsoft WebsiteSpark Programm / Christof Zogg, Director Developer & Platform Group, Microsoft Schweiz
- Are Swiss Startups Fit for Global Challenge? / Beat Schillig, Geschäftsführender Partner, IFJ Institut für Jungunternehmen
- Hosted by a Hoster - Die komfortable Alternative / Pascal Schmid, CEO, netrics hosting ag & Gregor Künzli, CTO, Bytix ag
- MIT-GROUP – Wir nehmen Hosting persönlich / Dr. Peter Meyer, Partner, MIT-GROUP
Read more about Microsoft WebsiteSpark at: www.microsoft.ch/websitespark.
Kind regards,
Sanna Kuusisto
BizSpark & WebsiteSpark Program Manager, Microsoft Switzerland