I think sometimes that fav.or.it has been very lucky in some respects in falling on our feet with companies (and people) that have given us massive support over the last year, one of those is Sun Microsystems. We have been apart of the Sun Startup Essentials program since Future of Web Apps last year which has given us access to a lot of cheap enterprise level equipment (Servers Etc..) and also brilliant technical support when we have needed it.

Competition

So I was very please to hear that Sun are giving away a Stand at FOWA as a prize this year. All you have to do is join startup essentials which is worth joining anyway. A draw will take place on the 22nd September and the lucky winner will be informed on the 23rd.

Launch

We will also be exhibiting this year and this time round we will be launching a major addition to the site (more on that closer to the time). The cost of exhibiting is £2500 which is high for a lot of startups (especially if your very heavily boot strapped like we were last year) but fundamentally the coverage and the opportunities a big conference like FOWA can bring are easily worth it.

What do you get?

The competition winner will get the following:

• Expo Space – Start Up Community (Shell scheme, table and chairs, carpet, power, company sign)
• A delegate pass
• An expo pass
• A listing on the FOWA site
• Entrance to the DIGG Party! (most important!)

Worth Joining

Even if you’re not a winner in the competition, the Sun Startup Essentials programme has some really nice features, such as technical support, special discounts on Sun hardware (yummy T5220’s 62 cores!), PR opportunities (they got us into FT.com), invitations to special networking events, special offers, and introductions to VCs/Angel Funds (which I can personally vouch works!)

If you wish to find out more about the program follow the above links or you can follow Stewart Townsend on Twitter (he runs Startup Essential Program + wears bad shirts).