DataStax has announced its Startup Programme designed to allow "eligible startups" (by its own terms and classification) to deploy DataStax Enterprise (DSE) applications for free, along with a new DevCenter tool and free online training courses for Cassandra users.
The company also sells an enterprise-grade version of the open-source Apache Cassandra database integrated with analytics, search, and security features.
Here's the details — the DataStax Startup Programme allows startups to deploy their DataStax Enterprise (DSE) applications for free if they have received less than $20 million in funding and operate within a designated revenue threshold.
"I remember when we at DataStax were a cash-strapped startup, and we want to help companies in that scenario succeed," said Matt Pfeil, cofounder and vice president of customer solutions, DataStax. "The DataStax Startup Programme gives young companies access to software that will let them focus on their customers rather than fighting challenges with data growth."
DataStax will also now offer free online training courses that teach developers, system architects, and administrators how to get the most out of Cassandra. The new virtual training course is an online training portal where anyone can participate in on-demand training in a multi-week, self-paced format.
The initial training modules consist of video segments showing how to develop Java applications with Cassandra using DataStax Community edition.
DataStax DevCenter is a free visual query IDE for developers, administrators, and others who want to create and run CQL statements against Apache Cassandra and DataStax Enterprise.
DataStax online training courses also provide hands-on lab exercises that are given as a type of homework. During the last week of training there is a graded assignment and a certification test. Students will learn the basics of Cassandra (C*), CQL, C* data modeling, and using the DataStax Java Driver. Students can also participate in interviews with Cassandra experts in the field. The course has a different set of exercises than the in-person instructor led training, and is designed to give a quick start to learning Cassandra in the luxury of one's home.
To pre-register for the online training course, Java Development with Apache Cassandra, click here.