Web host Ubiquity Servers Solutions has launched a start-up program where it will give one free managed server to 24 start-ups throughout 2013
Web host Ubiquity Servers Solutions announced on Monday that it will select two online-based start-ups to receive one free year of managed server hosting during each month of 2013.
The year-long giveaway start-up program comes as Ubiquity Servers Solutions has launched new websites, UbiquityHosting.com and UbiquityServers.com, and has been developing its internal control panel, called Motion.
While web hosts have leveraged relationships with start-ups in many different ways – through partnerships with local start-up incubators to internal start-up programs, for example – Daniel Haim, director of digital marketing for Ubiquity Servers, says its giveaway approach is completely different.
“Don’t get me wrong, I see what other people are doing but we have a very different approach,” Haim says in an interview with the WHIR. “The whole approach is I’m not there to push marketing anymore. My approach is to actually provide information and good content.”
“For me, I speak from personal experience, I came here as a client to Ubiquity,” Haim says. “These are things that I would have loved to have when I was a start-up.”
With the help of a team of judges, Ubiquity Servers will sift through the start-up submissions. According to the giveaway application page, the pitch should include a brief summary of the online business platform and explain why the applicant feels its start-up should be selected as a winner of the server giveaway, all in less than 500 words.
“We are looking to find that hidden gem, we’re looking for somebody who has that spark, who has that potential,” he says.
Open to international start-ups, applicants should have an online-based business, or be developers of an iOS or Android app.
To spread the word about the giveaway, Haim says Ubiquity is partnering with several different channels including a film industry website, The Film Industry Network. This approach should bring in some niche start-ups, who may be under served by other start-up incubators or programs. Leveraging his own network that Haim developed as an entrepreneur and start-up founder will likely be vital to the development and success of Ubiquity’s start-up program.
“I’m a developer, I’m a designer and I’m here to help them,” Haim says. “We’re doing this to help others succeed, to help their business grow.”
Talk back: Have you considered launching a start-up program or giveaway aimed at helping online businesses or emerging app developers? What do you think of a start-up program from a marketing perspective? Let us know in a comment.
About Nicole Henderson
Nicole Henderson is the Editor in Chief of the Web Host Industry Review where she covers daily news and features online, as well as in print. She has a bachelor of journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto. You can find her on Twitter @NicoleHenderson.
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Sounds great. I’m going to forward this challenge to a few people I know. Nice promo Ubiquity!