Sitemasher Attends Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference

The Sitemasher crew (Phil, Ron, and Nicole) attended the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WWPC) to discuss Sitemasher's recent entry into the Microsoft Startup Accelerator Program with Microsoft's Emerging Business Team.

Sitemasher was invited to join the Microsoft Startup Accelerator Program as a result of winning the Microsoft Blue Sky Innovation award. The program is designed to accelerate the success of high-potential software startups around the globe by providing access, guidance, and support for the Microsoft platform. Accelerator companies are selected to join the program based on their innovation, high growth potential, funding, platform decision, and strategic importance to Microsoft.

Microsoft is really excited to have Sitemasher within the portfolio of high-potential startups, according to Dave Drach, Managing Director of the Emerging Business Team at Microsoft.

Because Sitemasher's product portfolio is aligned with Microsoft strategy, there is ample opportunity for partnering, so after discussing business plans with Dave, the crew from Sitemasher moved on to talk to potential partners.

As Ron explained, “It's really invigorating to have Microsoft and partners get excited about Sitemasher's mission. It seems like everybody that builds, manages, or owns a website can relate to the problems we're trying to solve. Having that kind of response at an event like this is huge! The Microsoft team and partners were really enthusiastic.”

Microsoft Canada recognizes Sitemasher’s innovation with Blue Sky Award

Sitemasher’s skies became brilliant blue today when Microsoft Canada announced the Vancouver-based start-up company as the winner of the inaugural Blue Sky Award recognizing leading innovation developed on the Microsoft-based platform. Sitemasher was elected from more than 100 submissions by independent software vendors (ISV) across the country.

“Our winner and finalists were recognized because of their true inspiration in driving innovation forward,” said Mark Relph, vice president of the Developer & Platform Evangelism, Microsoft Canada. “We are thrilled with the response to this award and hope that it helps stimulate many more years of technology innovation in Canada.”

Sitemasher Corporation was recognized for its unique SaaS-based delivery model, broad market appeal and its integrated web offering. ISVs were judged on the unique use of technology, the real-life challenge they are solving and the market potential.

“Taking our solution to market with Microsoft is very strategic for us,” said Nicole Denil, Sitemasher’s vice president of sales and marketing.

Sitemasher Corporation will receive a customized engagement plan including software and business development resources, public awareness, and exposure to additional Microsoft-based resources both in Canada and Redmond.

“We are extremely excited about winning this award and look forward to the value it will bring to our business,” said Ron Moravek, CEO, Sitemasher Corporation. “We’re thrilled to be part of Microsoft’s Partner program.”

For more information about the award, visit Microsoft's Blue Sky Award Website.

Other news about this award posted at: From the Northern Edge of Microsoft: Sitemasher wins inaugural Blue Sky Award: and From the Northen Edge of Microsoft: Announcing The Winner Of The Bluesky Award

About Sitemasher
Established in 2007, Sitemasher is a SaaS-based platform for building, managing, and optimizing sophisticated websites. Phil Calvin, chief technical officer, began developing Sitemasher in 2005. He was intent on transcending traditional website building platforms and Web content management system (CMS) solutions by providing an integrated, search-engine friendly platform to address the entire website lifecycle. Ron Moravek, chief executive officer, joined the new corporation in August 2007 along with Curtis Terry, chief financial officer and chief operating officer for Sitemasher, both from Electronic Arts, Canada. Eric Dorgelo, vice president of development, joined the team from Rockwell. Nicole Denil joined Sitemasher from Microsoft Corporation. Eric Carlson became the sole venture capitalist and partner in December.

Microsoft recognizes Sitemasher among 3 companies with cutting-edge solutions

Sitemasher’s skies became brilliant blue today when Microsoft announced it selected the Vancouver-based start-up company as one of three finalists for an independent software vendor (ISV) Innovation Award from a field of approximately 100 candidates. The winner will be announced at Microsoft’s ISV Leadership Summit on Thursday, June 5.

Microsoft Canada’s inaugural Blue Sky Award recognizes significant, exciting, cutting-edge solutions developed on a Microsoft-based platform. The award, open to ISVs yet to achieve Certified or Gold Certified Partners status, was designed to help recognize innovation by creating a forum for leading Canadian software developers to showcase their creativity, contribution, and technology advances.

Entrants were judged on the unique use of technology, the real-life challenge they are solving, and the market potential.

Microsoft will provide the recipient with a customized engagement plan to support software development, including software and business development resources, public awareness, and exposure to additional Microsoft-based resources both in Canada and Redmond.

In developing the award, Microsoft Canada is recognizing innovation by creating a forum for leading Canadian software developers to showcase their outstanding achievements.

When introducing the award program in March, a Microsoft Canada Co. spokesman said, “People are the lifeblood of today’s businesses – their passion and ideas have the power to part clouds and create a world of limitless opportunity. The Blue Sky Award is designed to celebrate their innovation and the leading-edge applications they inspire.”

For more information on the Blue Sky Award please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/canada/bluesky or click here to view the award information video.