Last week I listened to Matt Hosanne's (first in a series) webinar about Project Darkstar and the Sun Startup Essentials program.  WOW! What a combination for new online game companies!

If you're using (or thinking about using) Project Darkstar, and your company is small, young, and strapped for cash, you should definitely look into Sun's Startup Essentials program.   Membership is free, and gives you these benefits:

• Discounted hardware
• Discounted partner hosting
• Open source software
• Free support and training
• Access to a diverse investor network (U.S. only)

To qualify, your company needs to match this entrepreneurial profile:

• < 6 years in business
• < 150 people
• based in a country in which the program is offered
  
• has a verifiable company presence  (e.g. website, profile) and a valid street address

If that sound like you, then you can participate in the program!  Contact Matt or check out the Sun Startup Essentials web page for more details.

:-)