Getting Started by Kris Olson

Looking for a start-up idea and VC funding? Call Microsoft

 

I came across this article about Microsoft's IP Ventures and Licensing team (by Eric Lai at Computerworld).

The article talks about a friendly and "progressive" Microsoft when it comes to licensing its technology to startups. Some of the $7 billion that Microsoft spends each year on R&D does not get used by the product groups -- making it available for outside firms to license.

The article contains a couple of intersting insights into how startups can get access to the technology portfolio at Microsoft:

1. Nope, the startup that licenses the technology does not have to be based on 100% Microsoft technology-- David Harnett, head of the team, cites the example of Skinkers that is using Java and Flash
2. Immediate monetization to Microsoft is not the chief goal-- so lots of flexibility to make the ventures that use these technologies successful.

 

For more info on IP Ventures, search this site -- there are 5 or 10 posts on the subject.  Tony Bailey on IP Ventures team has an earlier post with a thorough background on the IP Licensing program -- here on the Microsoft Startup Zone.

There are also several companies that are IP Ventures "spin offs" that are members of the Microsoft Startup Accelerator Program -- Wallop and Zumobi, for example, as well as Inrix. 

Moral of the story for entrepreneurs: don't forget to check out the IP Licensing technology -- it may provide you with a quick start. And that can be goodness in this market.

 

 

Filed under: Entrepreneurs, Innovation, IP Ventures

Email It!   digg It!   Live It!   del.icio.us  

Published Friday, June 13, 2008 2:34 PM by Kris Olson

Comments

» Looking for a start-up idea and VC funding? Call Microsoft Accelerator: What The World Is Saying About Accelerator said: PingBack from http://accelerator.morelyrics.co.uk/2008/06/13/looking-for-a-start-up-idea-and-vc-funding-call-microsoft/ June 21, 2008 2:06 AM

About Kris Olson

At Microsoft, I focus on innovative startups on the Microsoft platform as well as the investors who back them. This year I am officially editor in chief of The Microsoft Startup Zone. Our goal is to convey the story of the business value of our platform and programs to future and current entrepreneurs in venture-backed (or similarly scaled) companies.

I was born and reared in Berkeley, California. I majored in English at Stanford and later got my MBA there. I have worked in marketing, primarily with startups – helping pitch to investors, define their products, build positioning and messaging for press/analysts/customers, making sure that every touch point reflected their brand – the experience we wanted customers and partners to have with the company.

In mid-2004, I joined Microsoft – wanting to see what it takes to build a large company for the long run. Most recently I had been co-founder and vice president of marketing for UpShot, an online CRM company bought by Siebel (now Oracle) in November 2003. Earlier I was vice president of marketing for McAfee Associates shortly after it went public, then Rocket Science Games and earlier, head of marketing for Ansa Software, makers of Paradox (relational database), which was sold to Borland – and my first venture into startups. I started my high tech career at Apple Computer where I was initially a product manager, then worked on the Apple IIc launch and headed developer marketing for the Apple II group.

I equate working in a startup to walking on a tightrope: you can’t look down and must always believe. It takes tremendous focus and determination – as well as innovative and scrappy problem solving! I love it.

Your feedback on our site, our programs, our products and how we can be of help to you is always welcome.