Microsoft BizSpark Creativity Centre at Cyberport is offering local start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises in the creative industry access to advanced development tools and expert technical and business guidance at no upfront cost.

A joint initiative between Cyberport and Microsoft, the centre aims to give entrepreneurs in the local digital entertainment and creative lifestyle content development industry opportunities to accelerate the early stages of their businesses.

Supported by the Innovation & Technology Commission and Cyberport as network partner, the centre provides access to Microsoft development tools and server products' production licences.

The centre will also provide Microsoft BizSpark registrants with technical support and market visibility. All participants can tap the resources and support of a global network of hundreds of organisations such as economic development agencies, university incubators, server hosts and investors.

These BizSpark partner organisations provide guidance, mentorship and resources to help drive the success of Hong Kong's creative industry members and market their innovations to the world.

Programme criteria

The programme is open to privately held startups building a digital entertainment and creative lifestyle content-based product or service that have been in business less than three years and have less than $7.8 million in revenue.

The software support funding from the centre will vary according to how startups design their solutions. It could be as much as $2 million based on a standard five-person software company.

Permanent Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development (Communications & Technology) Duncan Pescod said the Government will launch an IT training programme for SMEs to enhance their operational efficiency and competitiveness through the application of IT.