.NET TECHNOPRENEUR DEVELOPMENT CENTRE OPENS DOORS TO TECHNOPRENEURS

Collaborative effort between MDC and key technology leaders offers local start-ups opportunity to transform ideas into successful technology ventures

Cyberjaya, November 5, 2004: Local start-ups with aspirations of greatness in software development can now turn to the .NET Technopreneur Development Centre (NTDC) for that important starter boost.

The NTDC is a collaboration between the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC), Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the Multimedia University and Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn Bhd. The centre is dedicated to furthering advanced software development in the country, by providing .NET development related infrastructure, tools, services and facilities to promising technopreneurs. This is to facilitate the rapid development of best-of-breed .NET-based solutions and applications.

It focuses on developing technopreneurs and Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with innovative solutions in the strategic areas of embedded systems, intelligent systems, wireless & mobility as well as advanced development tools.

“The NTDC is an integrated resource centre that follows-on strategically from the MDC-Microsoft .NET Technopreneur Development Programme launched last December which aims to support and encourage the development of the local ICT industry,” said Dr Wilson Tay, MDC Vice President of the MSC Technopreneur Development Flagship (MSC-TDF).

“From the series of technopreneurship seminars and workshops conducted for .NET developers since the launch of the MDC-Microsoft .NET Technopreneur Development Programme, we have identified nine viable ideas backed by sound business plans and proof-of-concepts which are now ready to be incubated at the NTDC for the development of prototypes for commercialisation. Two of these teams are already developing their solutions within NTDC,” he continued.

“The NTDC embodies the partnership corporations, the government and educational institutions, working together, to accelerate the development of our local technology community and economy. The NTDC enables local companies to maximise their potential for advanced software development. It offers them the strategic resources to bring ideas to market, create digital assets for the country to move us up the value chain to become knowledge producers,” said Butt Wai Choon, Managing Director, Microsoft Malaysia.

The 1,550 sq ft centre, located at the MSC Central Incubator within the Multimedia University’s Cyberjaya Campus here, provides local technopreneurs with access to 8 cutting-edge 64-bit servers and 17 development PCs from HP; the latest software, tools, training, certification and learning resources from Microsoft and equipment like mobile devices for the testing of prototype software. They also gain guidance in business management and commercialisation aspects through business coaching and mentoring, technopreneur development resources, and skills and competency training programmes provided by MSC-TDF in addition to go-to-market programmes through the global network of the partners.

“We are excited with the momentum so far – we believe the keen interest expressed by technopreneurs to develop on the .NET platform reflects market demand. They are able to build their solutions faster, and get to market quicker, each application providing its users a great experience anytime, any place on any device,” said Butt.

The NTDC is currently housing seven companies, two of which are in advanced stages of their software development.

"MMU fully supports the NTDC Lab initiative as it provides an avenue for our aspiring students and staff to embark on the world of technopreneurship, and lends a continuity to our Centre for Commercialisation and Technopreneur Development's efforts to educate and encourage the MMU community to venture into the technopreneurship arena. Looking at the list of incubatees currently housed in the NTDC lab, Roommart (M) Sdn Bhd and Exsoft Enterprise, are two of the many start-up companies established by MMU staff and students," said Prof. Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon, MMU President.

"We are pleased to be a part of something we consider an important aspect of business development - nurturing new entrants into the marketplace. HP is glad to be providing NTDC with the assistance that enables .NET development for our homegrown technopreneurs. Our Intel Itanium servers, workstations, printing solutions and bundled services should equip the centre with ample muscle to incubate world-class startups to benefit our nation," said T F Chong, Managing Director, Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn Bhd.

The NTDC commenced operations in May 2004. Two companies have already shown good signs of progress and are expected to launch their applications soon:

• Roommart (M) Sdn Bhd - a pre-seed company which is developing a portal, roommart.com.my, providing solutions for matching university students nationwide
seeking housemates and roommates.
• Exsoft Enterprise - a pre-seed company providing centralised clinic information database and management system, called Clinicomp, designed for small and
medium healthcare institutions.

“We expect at least five more companies to complete their development projects by the end of this year. The incubatees at NTDC have the advantage of utilising the latest Microsoft technologies and testing new development tools which are still on beta like Visual Studio 2005 or Whidbey and SQL Server 2005 or Yukon running on 64 bit servers,” said Nur Eliza, NTDC’s Head of Lab.

Aspiring technopreneurs and start-ups are encouraged to learn more about the .NET® Technopreneur Development Centre and its supporting programmes at http://ntdc.msc-tdf.com.my or email ntdc@msc-tdf.com.my or call +603 8313 8131.

Last Updated: Friday, December 17, 2004