Microsoft ventures in Europe

At its Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Innovation conference, Microsoft Corp has announced investments in two European companies. Skinkers are Vimio are targeted by the Redmond company.

The London based Skinkers is a market leader in direct-to-desktop event notification and content delivery solutions. Vimio from Dublin is a leading developer of mobile media content and distribution solutions.

Skinkers will receive a technological spinout from Microsoft Research Cambridge lab. "They really are like a venture capital company for us", said Matteo Berlucci, chief executive of Skinkers. "Getting pretty much ready-made technology is like getting cash."

In exchage of its technology, Microsoft will get an equity position in the company and an observer seat on the board of directors. Skinkers hopes that the partnership with Microsoft will allow it to better customers services and to increase their number.
The collaboration Vimio aims to license Microsoft video optimization technology.

Because Microsoft's investments are minute relative to the financial power of the American giant, it can be speculated that they focus mainly on the exchange of intellectual property.

"Working with governments and venture capitalists to get our innovation portfolio in the hands of entrepreneurs who can commercialize it is a win for all parties", said Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International.