Thomas has some big hosting centers he needs to fill, and servers are a bit like airline seats. A server that flies empty doesn't make money. Still, you have to be careful. All the WebAccelerator companies are evaluated carefully at each step of their journey into the market. What the partners get out of this is a regular flow of business with bright companies that might become winners.
Epoch signs one-year contracts with the newcomers and gives away the first six months of service.
In addition to hardware, software, and training, IBM pushes back amortization of its equipment and provides front-end funding and marketing support. Other members of the team come in as needed. The cost will be, in addition to equity, all his decision-making power. His new operation will be tied to its hardware, Internet service, and professional services suppliers tighter than a new baby on its mother. Skip's chances of breaking those apron strings are no better than the baby's.