Computer science is important to startups of all types and especially startups creating internet, mobile, cloud, or software as service products. The incubator staff is well qualified to assist with these activities having extensive experience with software, networking, and internet based startups.
Incubator Support Services
In addition to mentoring and planning, the incubator can provide several additional types of support. The incubator can supply very high speed internet access with a fixed IP address for those that need it. In some cases, the incubator can also support a server in the incubator’s data closet.
Wake Forest also has a Computer Science Department where faculty may be available for advice to startups. See http://www.cs.wfu.edu/ for more information.
The incubator is also developing supplier relationships that can help a startup obtain the tools that it needs to succeed.
The incubator can provide web hosting for its clients through its existing supplier and affiliate relationship.
Partner Provided Support Services
In addition the incubator is also pursuing industry relationships that are designed to assist startups. The incubator is a network provider in the Microsoft BizSparks program). Through this program, the incubator is able to provide almost free access to Microsoft development tools. Having access to a full range of development tools is especially helpful to startups that need to establish a proof of concept and don’t have the financing to obtain access to the tools required. Clients can also participate in the Microsoft Startup Zone.
External Support Services
In addition to Microsoft offerings, there are other developer friendly companies that provide resources to help internet application companies get off the ground.
Salesforce.com offers extensive free software as service (cloud) resources for developers. More information can be found at http://wiki.apexdevnet.com/apexcodepreview/register.html and http://developer.force.com/
Amazon offers it’s web services and its Elastic Computer Cloud (EC2) on a pay as you go basis. The fees are very low for a company in the development phase. Higher usage fees are designed to scale with volume and success. More information can be found at http://aws.amazon.com/.
Google also opens its platform to developers in several interesting ways. These services can help fast track an internet idea quickly. More information can be found at http://code.google.com/.