Springboard page: http://springboard.red-gate.com/

And just to clarify the TC article: Red Gate are looking for multiple teams of two to three people, not just one group.

What do they get out of it?

I can understand the natural scepticism and the 'no free lunch' viewpoint. But I know Neil and Simon and can happily vouch for them as people. In Red Gate they have bootstrapped (completely without any external investors) a profitable company that is turning over tens of millions of dollar a year. They are the slightly unusual (at least by valley standards) entrepreneurs who have little or no desire to take their company public. I am sure some commercial opportunities will come of this for them, but I very much doubt that is their primary motivation.

Really pleased to see this is a happening and wish them all the best with it.

"they have bootstrapped (completely without any external investors) a profitable company that is turning over tens of millions of dollar a year."

They would like to see their success emulated by others. This goodwill incubator can allow it to happen: might even start a trend.

-- Early access to potential complementary products (and the teams that built them).

-- Building an ecosystem (in a city with a lot of potential, both people talent and experienced angels/VCs)

But I know the guys involved, so I'm a little biased. They're awesome and have the absolute best of intentions.

Thanks, it was unclear from the website and the article. No free lunch and all that, so when I see something like "What do we want in return? NOTHING!", I get a little suspicious.

They can scout out potential recruits, and obtain ideas on how to improve their products. It's an HR and R&D cost.

-edit: also it's good advertising in just having the program, and as gratitude, people part of the program could advocate Redgate's products down the line (it's PR)

not really worth a downvote, its the first question that sprang to my mind.

If the answer is just (real life) karma points, and they have the money, then great.