Today at the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum (GLF) 2007, Asian Venture Capital Journal (AVCJ), Group Intelligence Inc., Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corp. and Red Herring Inc. launched SoftwareAP.net (http://www.softwareap.net), a new Web-based initiative to bridge the gap between entrepreneurial high-tech growth companies and the complicated network of venture capitalist and government ecosystems. In the initial phase of the global initiative, companies in Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Singapore will be offered the cross-border growth opportunities they often seek across the Asia-Pacific region.

With support from each of the participating governments, the initiative is aimed at accelerating the growth of software and Web service providers by providing them with access to funding networks, government assistance, and low-cost, high-value business development services. The goal is for the SoftwareAP.net business community ecosystem to comprise more than 70,000 information communication technology (ICT) companies across the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative will also help software companies and participating governments gather valuable census data about the business growth and financing needs of each country’s software economy.