At its f8 conference in April, Facebook launched a FbStart, a new program aimed to help startups grow by offering free Facebook advertising and free access to tools for product testing, recruiting and more with a value as high $30,000. Though the program was originally only offered to developers who attended f8, Facebook’s developer conference, applications have now been opened to any iOS or Android developer with an app that’s been live for at least 30 days.
Those selected will receive credits for Facebook advertising and Parse along with free access to tools and credits from Facebook‘s partners, which include:
- Adobe’s creative services
- Appurify’s mobile app testing
- Asana’s project management suite
- Blue Jeans’ cloud-based video collaboration service
- Desk.com’s customer support app
- HootSuite’s social media monitoring platform
- MailChimp’s email marketing services
- Proto.io’s mobile app prototyping tool
- Quip’s mobile productivity suite
- SurveyMonkey’s online survey platform
- Transifex’s localization tool
- UserTesting’s usability testing tool
- Workable’s recruitment tools
Besides offering access to these services, FbStart will also run events and programs for participating developers and offer best practices and “year-round” opportunities to engage with the Facebook team. “By providing mobile app developers with the essential services you need to get your business up and running — or to take it to the next stage of growth — we’re hoping to help expand the overall app ecosystem,” wrote mobile products member Vijay Shankar.
How to Apply to FbStart
FbStart offers two tracks: the Bootstrap program, designed for developers with apps that are just starting out, and the Accelerate program, geared toward developers whose apps that have shown initial traction but are trying to grow and scale.
To apply, visit fb.me/start. Facebook says it will respond within a few weeks.
What could your startup accomplish with Facebook advertising credits and access to these tools?
