Last Friday, Microsoft launched a new program called Bizspark that offers startups of different ages and stages tools to take care of their software and hosting requirements. Technopolis Ventures, Veraventure, The Finnish Software Entrepeneurs Association and Venture Cup has partnered with Microsoft in Finland to accept participants into the program.
Startups must meet the following requirements to be accepted into the program:

Sami Leino, one of the founders of Spinlet, got in touch with us about their new visual search engine Nuemo. Nuemo is one of the products they are creating to democratize search.

Despite the difficult times, Blyk and Xtract are promoting advertising (at least in a sense) as a revenue model. Blyk’s business model is built around advertising as a source of revenue. Blyk confirmed they are going full steam ahead with internationalisation in a recent blog post about entering the Dutch markets in the first quarter of 2009.

Avatars United is a Stockholm Sweden based service that enables you to connect to your in-game friends or avatars. The service resembles pretty much the basics of any other social network, except in this case you are using your in game person to connect to others.

Gemilo, a Finnish social media startup, has launched a Facebook application (or a game to be more precise) called Reign of Elements. The game was launched on 24th of October and in 4 days accumulated around 2200 members.

Stixy is a Karlhamn, Sweden based startup that has created an online version of the stickyboard. The service at first is a bit hard to grasp as the website reminds of a board in use itself. However, after a few minutes of looking around I came up with at least a few things how this tool could be used - with only one question in mind, is it better and easier than using simple post-it notes?

Last Friday I announced the fastest growing company in Finland according to Deloitte and I decided to dig a little more into these companies in terms of finances. So the breakdown is as follows: Company rank on the Deloitte list (2008), company name, growth percentage (from 2003 to 2007), turnover in 2007 (000’s €), turnover in 2003 (000’s €).

The week’s been way too busy and apologies for the lack of writing from me. However, I’ve been following the scene and been meeting people over lunch from the startup scene. I’ve heard a few interesting facts this week that I’d like to share with the readers here.

The good guys at Scred are offering 2 free tickets to Alternative Party organised in Helsinki this weekend. You have a good chance of getting these two VIP-level tickets by telling a story of a digital adventure you have had or alternatively - why you’d deserve these tickets. Please comment at the Scred blog, if you wish to participate in the competition.

We have found out that regarding, the Finnish government funding agency, TEKES’ controversial Young Innovative Companies financing - 9 companies have passed the tighter application procedure and secured themselves a good backing from the organisation. TEKES has created the program to substantially increase the pace of growth and internationalisation for these future promises.