HELSINKI, FINLAND--(Marketwire - Jun 14, 2011) - SkySQL Ab, the first choice in affordable MySQL® database solutions for the enterprise and cloud, today announced that Tekes, the main public funding agency for research, development, and innovation in Finland, has awarded SkySQL a grant of 250,000 Euros and a loan of over 600,000 Euros. This grant, which will be used to fund MySQL database-related research and development, will further accelerate SkySQL's transition from a services company into a products company.
"SkySQL's business strategy made it a natural selection for this grant," said Minna Andersson, Senior Business Adviser, Tekes. "According to our new strategy Tekes funding is primarily targeted for forerunners as well as particularly challenging and promising projects. The aim of our operations is to create new growth enterprises, and we focus on SMEs like SkySQL seeking international growth."
Each year, Tekes grants about 600 million Euros towards innovative projects aimed at generating new know-how, products, processes, and services or business concepts. Last year, the agency made funding decisions totaling 633 million Euros, of which 382 million was targeted at enterprise R&D.
"SkySQL is quickly becoming the center of innovation for technologies, services, and best practices related to the MySQL database," said Kaj Arnö, executive vice president of products, SkySQL. "Aside from receiving this generous grant from a prestigious government agency such as Tekes, our company continues to grow with new customers and partnerships around the world. Today's grant will solidify our position at the forefront of the open source support community and allow us to develop new products that make it easier for customers to get more from their MySQL database investments."
With this grant, SkySQL joins the ranks of other Tekes funding recipients in Finland. These include young, innovative companies founded recently, such as Supercell, Rightware and Rovio (of Angry Birds fame), as well as established players such as Nokia, a leading wireless telecommunications company, UPM-Kymmene, a pulp, paper, and timber manufacturer, and Kemira, a water chemistry company.
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About SkySQL Ab
SkySQL Ab, the company behind the SkySQL™ Enterprise subscription, is the first choice in affordable MySQL® database solutions for the enterprise and cloud. Founded by former executives, personnel, and investors of MySQL AB, SkySQL Ab is an open source software company committed to furthering the future development of MySQL database technologies, while delivering cost-effective database solutions and exceptional customer service. SkySQL Ab's customers include ATOS Worldline, Canal+, Deutsche Telekom, Easyflirt.com, FHE3, Lotte.com, Nordic Growth Market (NGM), Richemont and Virgin Mobile. SkySQL's worldwide headquarters is located in Helsinki, Finland. The company has operations in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information, please call 1(877) 303-5799, or visit www.skysql.com, and follow conversations at www.twitter.com/skysql_ab.
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