HSBC joins Microsoft Biz Spark Programme

HSBC is the first bank in Malta to join the Microsoft Biz Spark Programme as a network partner. The global programme is designed to accelerate the success of early stage ICT start-ups.

Biz Spark provides software, support and visibility to ICT start-ups, giving entrepreneurs fast and easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and production licences of server products, with no upfront costs and minimal requirements.

As a Biz Spark network partner, HSBC Malta Commercial Banking will be able to offer its technology start-up business banking customers the opportunity to enrol in Microsoft's programme and receive its full suite of software and platform technologies free of upfront costs for the first three years.

The programme was designed to accelerate the success of technology start-ups across the globe by connecting them on an online ecosystem which will provide mentoring, guidance and resources from all network partners and peers. The programme is available to businesses that have been set up for less then three years, and are actively engaged in the development of a software-based product or service that is core to their business model.

Michel Cordina, deputy head of commercial banking at HSBC Malta, said the technology sector remained vitally important for the bank and accounted for a substantial portion of start-up businesses in 2009.

HSBC has presented an award to its 1,000th Business Direct Customer, since the updated service was introduced in April 2009. The award went to dentist Adam Bartolo.

Information on the Biz Spark programme is available at www.hsbc.mt/bizspark or www.microsoft.com/bizspark.