Nurturing Innovation in Today’s Economy
Globespan Capital Partners and Microsoft’s BizSpark program are opening new doors for technology startups and entrepreneurs.
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| Dave Fachetti Managing Director, Globespan Capital Partners |
These are challenging economic times, to say the least. But if history bears out, and I’m convinced it will, we are likely entering a period of remarkable innovation in the world of information technology and enterprise software.
Having spent most of my career working to bring new high-tech businesses to market — first as an entrepreneur and now as a venture capitalist — I’ve witnessed up close what happens during recessionary cycles. What I’ve seen is that tough times like these force entrepreneurs to be more creative and resourceful, and to focus doggedly on the things that matter most.
Why am I so confident this will once again prove to be a time of great innovation? In large part it’s because today’s startups and entrepreneurs have so many amazing new resources at their disposal. For instance, advances in combining the best aspects of software with cloud-based services are giving entrepreneurs a whole new toolset for creating innovative technologies, services and customer experiences. We are seeing many exciting new startups as a result of this rapidly changing landscape.
To help these entrepreneurs and others like them, Microsoft recently launched BizSpark, a program that offers startups and entrepreneurs easy access to software, marketing support and visibility that can help lead to business success. Like other venture capital firms, Globespan Capital Partners has signed on as one of BizSpark’s network partners.
With offices in Boston, Palo Alto and Tokyo, Globespan helps entrepreneurs gain access to markets around the world. As a partner in BizSpark, Globespan will play a key role in helping startups and entrepreneurs capitalize on the program’s many benefits.
Through BizSpark, startups gain access to Microsoft’s toolbox of design, development and production software tools and licenses, including a subscription to the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN). BizSpark also connects startups to a global network of business incubators, investors and advisors, and it offers the opportunity to be profiled on BizSparkDB, an online directory where Microsoft promotes promising startups. This is a three-year program with no upfront cost, and a total program cost of just $100.
Entrepreneurs and startups too often fall short because they are constrained by limited resources. They face even greater challenges in the current economic environment.
But with the emergence of new opportunities in software and online services, and programs like BizSpark, entrepreneurs have access to many exciting new tools to help them grow. And they have reliable allies in venture firms like Globespan Capital Partners and companies like Microsoft. As we’ve seen time and again, some of the greatest innovations and most successful entrepreneurs take root in tough times like these. And the growth generated by these entrepreneurial companies can play a pivotal role in creating new jobs and building sustainable local economies.
