US-based social network operator Facebook has launched FBStart, a programme that will provide up to $30,000 in free tools and services for mobile app development startups.
The initiative is backed by 11 other companies: software provider Adobe, app testing service Appurify, communication app Asana, video conferencing service BlueJeans, online customer service provider Desk.com, email marketing service MailChimp, mobile word processor Quip, mobile prototyping platform Proto.io, online survey service Survey Monkey, online testing platform UserTesting, and recruitment platform Workable.
FBstart will provide assistance through two streams. The Bootstrap Track, intended for developers just starting out, provides a free package of tools and services worth up to $5,000, while the Accelerate Track will provide up to $30,000 for developers that have developed an app but want to scale up.
Selected developers will receive credits for Facebook advertising as well as free services such as product testing, recruitment, customer care, video conferencing and document management.