Specific benefits will fall into three categories:
Software Development resources may include:
- Access to our premier support staff
- Software license and subscriptions
- Access to new technologies, and/or
- Access to Microsoft Technology Centers for software testing and architecture guidance
- Presence on the Microsoft Startup Zone website
- Inclusion in Microsoft collateral, advertising or public relations
- A published case study
- Blogging opportunities with Emerging Business Team Portfolio Managers
- Event opportunities, and/or
- Introductions to investors, as needed
- Introductions to internal product groups as appropriate
- Visibility in front of key executives
- Early stage product feedback to internal development teams, and/or
- Active collaboration on emerging trends and technologies
Eligibility Requirements
- ISV's must be headquartered in Canada
- Software application must be developed using Microsoft technologies, but is not required to be built exclusively on the Microsoft platform
- Software application can be in market or ready for release to market in calendar 2008
- Microsoft Certified or Gold Certified Partners are not eligible to apply
(there will be a Terms and Conditions agreement that the ISV will need to agree to before proceeding with the submission)
Judging Criteria
The judging panel will consist of a team of Microsoft experts including a senior executive from the Emerging Business Team from Microsoft Corporation in Redmond as well as Robert Dutt, Editor of CRN Canada.
Each submission will be judged based on the quality of responses around 3 key focus areas:
Each submission will be judged based on the quality of responses around 3 key focus areas:
- How innovative is the idea
- How unique is the architecture and the use of Microsoft technologies
- How viable is the market opportunity
