Startup pack gives away $10k worth of tools to new businesses

This is kind of like Microsoft's BizSpark, but instead of MS software you get services from other cool startups. This is a great idea. I just signed up so we'll see.<p>Asking for write privileges to my twitter account gave me pause though. Just let me tweet on my own.

This year of incorporation requirement seems to miss the point... I incorporated in 2010 (missed the cutoff date to qualify by 17 days) but the registration was mostly to hold the name way before I had started to develop the product. Now I'm getting to the point where I could use the help but because I registered the name too long ago I can't partake? Seems like the qualification should have more to do with how long the company has actually been active or if it has even launched a product than when it was incorporated... not to mention one could just spend the $50 (fee for Colorado) to form another corporation to take advantage but that sounds like a major pain in the butt and generally shady behavior.

This seems really cool but also completely sketchy. Why is there no info about the organization or who is behind it?<p>Could someone from one of the companies listed on the site confirm that this is something you're involved in?

If I were phishing for information, this is exactly how I'd do it.

A company registered in England and Wales can be strongly verified online via Companies House WeBCHeck (<a href="http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk" rel="nofollow">http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk</a>). This services is probably targeted at US companies but supporting the next-largest place for tech startups (&#60;/speculation&#62;) could be a nice touch if this grows.

It's a shame they require us to be incorporated. We're holding off so far because it doesn't make sense until we either get investment or our first real employee. But at that time we will most likely be able to aford these tools. It doesn't make sense to me why they require the incorporation when it's the unincorporated companies that need this package the most :(

I think that the "incorporation" requirement is a bit unclear - technically, an LLC is not a corporation even though most small businesses that would qualify are LLCs.

Smart. Target your audience, and reduce the CaC by defraying the high value opt in cost to partners. Signed up, as we're in the window, and it couldn't come at a better time for us. Just about to launch out of alpha so we'll be getting our money's worth.<p>Onboarding b2b customers isn't easy, or cheap, so this is crafty move, well played.

There is a other website that give away $100k worth of tools to new businesses. Its called Debian.<p>O wait, maybe that's $1000k worth of tools. Or is it $10000k?<p>(Maybe they should describe what the tools does and not do a "less-than-useful" money comparison)

Will there be any exceptions for companies that are not (yet) incorporated? E.g. a company that has many big name clients/users, great product, solid community and following, etc.?

Nice idea. couple of questions:<p>- Is there any "catch"? Like are going to make money off of us by selling email adresses?<p>- What if I already have a free plan on one of those services? Can I upgrade it?

I'm genuinely curious... why do so many people seem to think this is a phishing scam?<p>If your business is registered by a US state, that information is on the public record. It includes your name, business address, and date of registration.<p>Your company URL, and company email as well aren't supposed to be private info. I'd expect you'd have them prominently placed on your website. I know I do.

All of the deals seem good in the short term but they are FREE for a reason, to get you hooked! I am not going to signup just because it sounds good right now. Please make sure you want to stick with that service for a long time before you jump in!

Signed up. Hope this isn't a phishing scam. It seems real, but I guess we will see.

I've held off incorporating because...well, I just haven't gotten around to it. I guess I should get around to it, since I'm hoping to release in a couple weeks anyway.<p>Sad that I'll miss out on the chance to participate as a result, though.

I'm only interested in the Fotolia credits, but would rather leave someone else to make use of the others offers. If you signed up and want to share the Fotolia credits, let me know.

Awesome work Mat - excited to see what you work on next!

We were incorporated in 2010, but can we still take part? We're a few months older than 2 years.

Oh boy! This is just a plain old, ugly sales pitch.