Microsoft Malta and Malta Enterprise have teamed up to offer thousands worth of dollars worth of software to startups and businesses in their infancy under the Bizspark programme.
Speaking during a visit by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech to the multinational’s Malta office in Mosta yesterday, country manager Pierre Mallia said: “This programme will offer the tools for startups to develop their services to the full and without having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on software solutions and maintenance.”
Mr Mallia emphasised that the packages to be offered to these businesses will not be the traditional Word and Excel, but Microsoft’s full range, including the new cloud based Azure operating system. For those not familiar, the cloud system basically offers online programmes that businesses can access through the internet.
Mr Mallia said: “Despite the current economic climate, Microsoft is continuing to invest in the industry and the ICT market. We aim to encourage Maltese entrepreneurs thinking into starting an IT business, to take the plunge, and will provide them with the technical support they need in this challenging environment.”
He continued: “Microsoft Bizspark will give young companies the boost they need, and when they need it most – at the early stage. We are confident that Malta Enterprise will encourage local technology startups to enroll in the Bizspark programme.”
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said that the benefits of such a programme were clear to see, especially for small businesses. He said that specialized software is a very expensive tool. “And so, startup businesses (as well as those who have only been in operation for less than three years), will benefit from a great cost reduction in receiving software, maintenance and training in getting them free of charge,” said Mr Fenech.
He emphasised that the packages on offer will not simply include the traditional Office Suite, but more specialized packages relating to customer service, websites, e-services databases and much more.
“This scheme, said Mr Fenech, complements another scheme introduced by the government which has allocated e2.5 million towards business startup costs,” he said.
The launch of Microsoft BizSpark together with Developer Software+Services will take place on 20 March at 9am at the Hilton Malta Conference Centre. Participation is free and registration is required.
Registrations for the BizSpark launch are being accepted online at http://msevents.microsoft. com/CUI/Eventdetail.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID= 1032406800. Queries may be addressed to biz-spark@ malataenterprise.com.